2 Great Books to Start The New Year
January is a natural time to pause, reflect on life, and evaluate what is most important and what changes, if any, need to be made in one’s life. I’m grateful for the many books in the past that have helped me gain wisdom and insight, as well as take actionable steps to make changes in different areas of my life. Two books I found myself returning to re-read are The Power to Change by pastor Craig Groeschel and Win the Day by pastor Mark Batterson. I highly recommend them both!
1) The Power To Change, Mastering the Habits That Matter Most by Craig Groeschel
I appreciate Craig’s pastoral wisdom in this book. It is chock full of insights from psychology and research and practical and scriptural advice that is immediately actionable. Here’s the description from the author’s website:
“Few things in life are more frustrating than knowing you need to change, wanting to change, and trying to change, but not changing. Craig Groeschel knows what it's like to be caught in that demoralizing cycle. That was his own story--until he discovered practical principles for experiencing lasting change. Since then, Craig has helped countless others find true change in their relationships, habits, and thoughts.
In The Power to Change, Craig helps you understand:
• How God's power, not your willpower, leads to true transformation
• The real reasons you do what you do
• Why falling isn't failure
• The power of creating small habits that lead to big change
• How to choose what you want most over what you want now
A powerful blend of biblical wisdom and fascinating psychology, The Power to Change includes helpful exercises, real-life stories, and life-changing spiritual insights.”
2) Win The Day, 7 Daily Habits to Help You Stress Less & Accomplish More by Mark Batterson
I love Mark’s writing style; he is such a wordsmith. He is also a history nerd, so you’ll learn many interesting stories and facts from history as you read. Here’s the description from the author’s website:
“Yesterday Is History. Tomorrow Is a Mystery. Win the Day!
Too many people delay, downsize, or shrug off their dreams just because they don’t know where to start, but playing it safe doesn’t account for the massive cost of a life not fully lived.
Win the Day is the jump start you need to go after God-sized goals, one day at a time. Mark Batterson reveals seven powerful habits that can help you turn yesterday’s regrets and tomorrow’s anxieties into fuel for a better today.
Imagine how much better your life would be if, instead of obsessing over the past or worrying about the future, you set out to win today…every day.
In Win the Day, Mark Batterson, the author of Chase the Lion, shares seven practical, life-changing habits that will set you on a path to harness the power of twenty-four hours.
And the best thing about it? You can start today!”
In addition to reading your Bible, I hope you’ll pick up one or both of those books this year and that they’ll be as helpful and encouraging to you as they were to me. God bless you, and Happy New Year!
Fady Ghobrial is a Ministry Fellow with Christian Union Gloria, serving and equipping Harvard Students since 2017 with Bible teaching, coaching, and discipleship.
