No one gets to skip the tough stuff and when life threatens to drown us we’re left gasping for air, merely surviving a life we never ordered. Niki Hardy has been there, screaming, “God, is this it? Where’s the abundant life you promised? Are you even listening?”Life might not be fair, but through loss, grief, and cancer, Niki discovered life doesn’t have to be pain-free to be full. With … With sensitivity and without Christianese or stock answers she invites women to replace the lies they believe about themselves and God with sound biblical teaching and his unwavering promises. Through 7 practical steps, with hands-on questions, actions, and prayers, she equips readers to grasp the full life Jesus came to give them, right where they are.
No matter how broken a life might seem, the abundant life Jesus promised is available–now and always. Let Niki show you the way.
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When I saw the title for this book, I was very excited to read it. I’ve had more than my fair share of struggles (or as Niki says, “when the poop hits the fan”). I’m sure I’m not alone in this either. Life is hard, and Niki gets that, so very much. Her book is like a personal cheerleader, equipping us with the tools we need during these extra hard times in life. I love how practical it is. It’s about living in the midst of difficult times, and learning to not just survive them, but thrive. Niki gives the reader tools like meditating on who we are in Christ. There are great prayers and applications at the end of each chapter. Niki writes in a very relatable way. She discusses hard topics with grace, humor and wit. I found myself already putting a lot of her tools into practice and noticing changes in the way I think and how I approach rough situations. I want to be someone who lives well and chooses joy during the really hard times, and this is exactly the book I was looking for to help with that!
Content: This is a clean read.
Rating: 5 stars
I want to thank NetGalley, Niki Hardy and Revell for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.
The book beautifully captures how to thrive instead of simply survive when life throws you the unexpected. As a chemo patient, I could very much relate to both the struggles and triumphs mentioned throughout the book. One page I would be laughing and the next crying. The book is beautifully written–like having a conversation with a very close friend. From the relatable stories shared, to the beautiful prayers you can make your own, to the challenges that will push you to grow, this book is a must read for anyone who desires to thrive instead of just survive through whatever life throws their way. I plan to come back to it again and again.
This book captures so much of what I’ve felt in my heart through my health journey. We can all use this message. It’s my hope that people read it before they need its truth.
This is one remarkable book. It’s tells how being a Christian you still have struggled, but it’s how you deal with them is the problem we face. The author struggled with her own problems battling cancer. One of the quotes from the book really reached out to me ” Our strength can be our biggest Weakness. ” How true. The author talks about grieving and being honest and being grateful. I really enjoyed thst at the end if each chapter the author would give you some Thrives to go on. And A BEAUTIFUL prayer at the end. I would highly recommend this book to any one who wants to fine peace , contentment, and being grateful for what you have . I received an ARC FROM THE publisher for my honest opinions.
This book is a real treat for a tired soul. I found her writing so encouraging and uplifting. Right away I shared it with a friend, who also liked it. I love the concept of thriving instead of just surviving.
This past year I can definitely say life fell apart. My husband had an accident that left him partially immobile for months. It was an adjustment for all of us. And although he’s improved, life has changed for us and I am still learning to thrive (breathe again) in the midst of it.
Niki gives great tips on how to do that. These tips when put into practice truly will make a difference. Some of them I have already been practicing. Others I am learning to adopt.
At the end of each chapter she adds a new phrase to the Thriver’s Manifesto. It’s great! And of course, none of this can be done without the One who Created us. I love that this is not a do-it-yourself, positive thinking type book. It’s about the power of the Holy Spirit within us giving us the strength to THRIVE!
I received a free copy of this book courtesy of Revell. All opinions are my own. I wasn’t asked to review this book in a positive light.
This book caught me eye in a recent RevellReads email asking about non fiction titles I was interested in reviewing. This is a new to me author but as someone battling the tough stuff of life, this one seemed worth a read. I am happy to report is is well worth a read. This book is full of practical wisdom from someone who understands how hard it can be to put in to action. I especially liked the way she tied in the children’s book “We’re Going On A Bear Hunt.” As a parent of a little boy who enjoys that story it was an instant connection for me and it made perfect sense! Will definitely read Niki’s stuff anytime!
I received this book from RevellReads and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
It’s not easy to talk about facing cancer or grief. In Breathe Again, Niki Hardy not only does so in a way that is honest, but also funny, encouraging, and faith inspiring. Using personal stories of her rectal cancer journey and the loss of her mom and sister, the author is candid about her struggles, while at the same time, proving that the hope of Christ defeats the pain of this world.
If your heart is beat up and bruised, if you’re facing an awful diagnosis or terrible grief, Hardy’s book is a breath of fresh air that will buoy your spirits and inspire your faith.
Breathe again should be on your reading list if you’ve faced hard times and want to thrive instead of just survive.
Bonus: The author includes stories of other “thrivers” who have faced massive pain and hardship, as well as journaling questions and a thriver’s manifesto.
This book is for anyone who feels like life has given them a raw deal and who wants to not just survive the journey, but learn to grasp on to a full, abundant life.
I usually beat around the bush but I’m going to come right out and say you should buy Niki Hardy’s book because life is just plain hard for most of us at one point or another. This book will help you see God’s goodness and beauty in the worst moments to the point that you may even learn to not just survive, but to thrive. I’m not dealing with a huge challenge at the moment (thank you Jesus), but I even noticed my perspective parenting an outside the box kind of kid has shifted quite a bit after one of Niki’s chapters. I’m thankful I got to read this book a little early, and I’m so stinking excited that it will be available to the rest of the great big wide world.
This book was beautifully written and full of hope, faith and encouragement. Hardy shares her story of loss, grief and overcoming rectal cancer. The book is broken into three parts (Finding Solid Ground, Learning To Breathe Again, Keep Calm and Breathe On) and has questions at the end of each chapter for further personal reflection. The conclusion of the chapter also provides one point of the Thriver’s Manifesto, a rally cry put together near the end of the book.
Hardy shares with readers her life through the years as she loses her mom and sister to cancer, plodding through grief while ministering to others as a pastor’s wife and speaker. Hardy then hears after a routine colonoscopy that she has rectal cancer. As this journey commences, she begins to examine the way she deals with difficult times in her life and is eventually able to use her experiences to spread hope to those facing impossible issues.
Hardy is a hilarious, honest writer who not only faces things that many would not want to talk about, but owns them, reminding the reader that facing tough times with hope is all about perspective. She bravely shares her fears, failures, triumphs and grief as she fights for her life. One of my favorite quotes from the first portion was this: “We endure, we survive, and we forget to look for joy in the midst of deep grief or intimacy in a season of loneliness.”
As the book progresses, Hardy brings in other people who have faced giants in their lives and overcome. Hearing their stories continues to bring the reader closer to understanding how grief, struggle and pain can exist in the same space as laughter, strength and hope. That’s one of the most amazing things about this book–the tension as well as levity Hardy brings. I found myself laughing one time, crying the next. The 7th chapter (Be Vulnerable) with Ali’s story in it was deeply affecting for me.
Hardy is the type you’d love to glean from in person, share a cup of tea with. Her personality shines through each chapter of the book. This British powerhouse unleashes the power of faith in “Breathe Again,” leading the readers through the mountains and valleys while holding tight to their hands. She will challenge you, call you out of the dark and walk alongside you as you move forward to find hope amidst difficult circumstances. That’s the kind of friend we all could use in our lives.
I read an early review copy thanks to Revell, Baker Publishing Group and #NetGalley. I chose to review and all opinions are my own.
So life isn’t easy. And sometimes it’s really hard. Author Niki Hardy gets that. Hardy encourages us to look at the lies we are believing and replace them with God’s truth. It’s the only way to get through the hard stuff. I really like that Hardy is open and honest. No Christianese and some tough language (not bad language, but she doesn’t cut us any slack either). Her vulnerability helped me to look at my “junk” and how I was viewing it and myself. And then what to do about it. She didn’t leave me hanging but held out hope
As Hardy says, “Life doesn’t have to be pain-free to be full”. In the midst of pain you can not only survive, but you can thrive and live the life God means for you to live. If you’re not in the midst of something painful right now, you will be someday and should be prepared. Grab a copy of Breathe Again. I know I’ll be reading it again.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Completely blessed by this book! After walking through one of the hardest seasons of my life last winter, I literally feel like I am breathing again. God’s timing of placing such a needed encouragement in my life is astounding. Niki is no stranger to trauma and suffering. She takes us through her story and the stories of others to not only give us a sense of camaraderie in our suffering, but to give us truths and tangible practices to hang on to as we are tempted to wallow because of the hand we have been dealt. She is raw, but also tempers it with humor. I both cried and laughed as I read this book. I would recommend this book to anyone feeling hopeless in their current sufferings. I don’t doubt that the pages of Niki’s book will leave you feeling hopeful again and maybe even a little brave.
“Choosing brave isn’t always big, but it is always intentional, and as we move ahead with intention, secure God is with us, we can steer ourselves into the abundance he has waiting for us.” – Niki Hardy
Pain. Do you know it? Is it an unwelcome companion in your life? Whether your pain is from cancer, an amputation, or a pain invisible to the world, Niki shares practical Biblical steps which will help you shift your focus off of your own pain and to what is possible when you walk with God right through the middle of it. “We are just ordinary folks who’ve taken some practices and, with God’s help, are finding the rubies in the wreckage of our crazy, messed-up-right now lives, and you can too.” This book won’t cure you, but it might change you and others too.