Created for a Purpose: Devotional Journal

I have dealt with self-esteem issues from my past mistakes for a long, looooong time. I had been seeing a professional counselor who felt that many of my feelings of anxiety were based on a lack of self-esteem. I picked up this book by chance, based on the title, but was happily surprised that it contained so much more than the cover implies. The author gives specific references to Scripture that help with feelings of anxiety, dealing with a broken past, abuse, and shame. This goes way beyond self-esteem. This book has saved me countless times when I began to feel the downward spiral begin. I loved it so much, I bought several other copies and gave them to women I knew who were facing similar doubts and regrets, and have seen the change in them as well. I cannot stress enough how wonderful this book is!

This book speaks to so many women because we all seem to have "something" we need to overcome -- a disability or flaw, a bad childhood, a rough teen or young adulthood, a sin or lifestyle that has tormented us -- and overcoming whatever it is can be hard. But this book guides the way, helping the reader deal with that "something" that makes us doubt our purpose and our place in God's plan and even want to give up.Chapter 5, "How to Prevent an Identify Crisis," is an amazing comfort and source of support, a great start in making the doubts and worries disappear. The book gives you a tremendous feeling of security and hope. No matter what your past, the future is guarded by God, and a purpose awaits.

As a Christian counselor I receive promotional books on occasion, and when I received this book I asked my wife to take a look at it and give me her opinion. Her response surprised me! She loved this book to the point she couldn't put it down. She said it addressed several personal issues for her that had been lingering for some time. She liked it well enough that she gave copies to several of her family members. I purchased several copies to sell or give away at my counseling office. Each person I gave it to remarked how insightful the book was and how much of an impact it was making in their lives, especially the part on forgiveness. One counseling client came back and bought 5 or 6 copies to give to her family members! Hey, that reminds me, I need to reorder....I think I have run out!