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Braving Difficult Decisions: What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do
If you are feeling unsettled, unfulfilled, or undone, welcome.
If you are at a crossroads or in crisis and need guidance, this book is for you.
If you have a big transition to make or a tough question to answer, and you are wondering how you are going to figure this out, help is at hand.
Braving Difficult Decisions is a pathbreaking synthesis of spiritual insight and practical wisdom that cuts through the thicket of uncertainty toward a future you can fully embrace. Drawing from her own experience with difficult decisions and in conversation with spiritual leaders, historical figures, and everyday folks, Rev. Dr. Angela Gorrell maps out a process for working through the most challenging aspects of complex choices, listening to God and others, naming emerging possibilities, and choosing a wise way forward that you can return to time and time again as you face new challenges. Angela will help you engage your questions with less anxiety and more interest, wonder, and creativity. As you move, you will learn how to trust God, yourself, and the process.
Angela explains, "My goal is not that you reach the same decisions as me or the other people featured in this book, but that you learn how to take your own journey into and through difficult decisions."
You are being led, not just by the wisdom of the stories others have lived, but by the God who made the sun and the moon and the stars. You are not forgotten. You are not alone. And you are braver than you think.
If you are at a crossroads or in crisis and need guidance, this book is for you.
If you have a big transition to make or a tough question to answer, and you are wondering how you are going to figure this out, help is at hand.
Braving Difficult Decisions is a pathbreaking synthesis of spiritual insight and practical wisdom that cuts through the thicket of uncertainty toward a future you can fully embrace. Drawing from her own experience with difficult decisions and in conversation with spiritual leaders, historical figures, and everyday folks, Rev. Dr. Angela Gorrell maps out a process for working through the most challenging aspects of complex choices, listening to God and others, naming emerging possibilities, and choosing a wise way forward that you can return to time and time again as you face new challenges. Angela will help you engage your questions with less anxiety and more interest, wonder, and creativity. As you move, you will learn how to trust God, yourself, and the process.
Angela explains, "My goal is not that you reach the same decisions as me or the other people featured in this book, but that you learn how to take your own journey into and through difficult decisions."
You are being led, not just by the wisdom of the stories others have lived, but by the God who made the sun and the moon and the stars. You are not forgotten. You are not alone. And you are braver than you think.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2025
3 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 28, 2025
Angela Williams Gorrell has once again offered readers a poignant book that deals with the realities of life. While her last book, The Gravity of Joy: A Story of Being Lost and Found, offered readers a theology of joy that was rooted in the reality of suffering and sorrow. In "Braving Difficult Decisions," Gorrell again invites us to deal with suffering and disappointment, this time in terms of difficult decision making.
March 18, 2025
Recently my spouse and I made a huge, difficult decision. We’re still feeling the effects of it, good and bad. This book has been really helpful for me as I’ve processed the last few months. It articulates the desires and reservations that inform our decisions. Gorrell gives concrete guidance that’s broadly applicable. The guidance isn’t just fluff, it’s substantive and thoughtful. I also loved the personal tone and the use of stories.
March 17, 2025
Braving Difficult Decisions: What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do by Angela Williams Gorrell is the kind of book that speaks directly to the struggles you didn’t know how to put into words.
Angela captures the raw reality of uncertainty and the moments when life suddenly feels heavier than it ever has before. Her writing is both deeply insightful and refreshingly honest, offering not just comfort but practical wisdom for navigating the hardest decisions we face.
One passage, in particular, resonated with me—describing the feeling of constantly pouring yourself out until, one day, the faucet just turns off. That feeling of running on empty, of wondering how to move forward—it hit home for me.
This is not just a book; it’s a guide, a companion, and a source of hope for anyone who has ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or lost. Angela Williams Gorrell has written something truly special.
If you’re at a crossroads, if you’re feeling burnt out, or if you just need reassurance that you’re not alone—Braving Difficult Decisions is a great book to keep close by.
#BravingDifficultDecisions #MustRead #AngelaWilliamsGorrell #WisdomForHardTimes
Angela captures the raw reality of uncertainty and the moments when life suddenly feels heavier than it ever has before. Her writing is both deeply insightful and refreshingly honest, offering not just comfort but practical wisdom for navigating the hardest decisions we face.
One passage, in particular, resonated with me—describing the feeling of constantly pouring yourself out until, one day, the faucet just turns off. That feeling of running on empty, of wondering how to move forward—it hit home for me.
This is not just a book; it’s a guide, a companion, and a source of hope for anyone who has ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or lost. Angela Williams Gorrell has written something truly special.
If you’re at a crossroads, if you’re feeling burnt out, or if you just need reassurance that you’re not alone—Braving Difficult Decisions is a great book to keep close by.
#BravingDifficultDecisions #MustRead #AngelaWilliamsGorrell #WisdomForHardTimes
March 28, 2025
Finally, a book about decision making that includes both spiritual insight and practical wisdom!
We all are faced with making life decisions daily. And this excellent book gives me confidence and the knowledge of having gone through a thorough process that can help lead me to make the best decision possible. A decision that includes both factual analysis and spiritual discernment. A decision that takes into account my history, my family dynamics as well as synchronicity and Gods leading.
In Dr. Angela’s special story telling fashion she has the unique ability to put you right in her story and those of others. Then you are able to translate what they have been through to your situation and use their experience to clarify your questions in your decision making process.
This is not only a superior guide for decisions I’m facing today as I’ve read “Braving Difficult Decisions” for the first time, but it’s a reference book that I plan to keep on my shelf and consult again and again as I face challenging (and even less complex) decisions throughout my life. This is the book that truly answers the question “What to do when you don’t know what to do”! If you have ever had a problem making a decision, you need this book. It’s one that you will use over and over.
We all are faced with making life decisions daily. And this excellent book gives me confidence and the knowledge of having gone through a thorough process that can help lead me to make the best decision possible. A decision that includes both factual analysis and spiritual discernment. A decision that takes into account my history, my family dynamics as well as synchronicity and Gods leading.
In Dr. Angela’s special story telling fashion she has the unique ability to put you right in her story and those of others. Then you are able to translate what they have been through to your situation and use their experience to clarify your questions in your decision making process.
This is not only a superior guide for decisions I’m facing today as I’ve read “Braving Difficult Decisions” for the first time, but it’s a reference book that I plan to keep on my shelf and consult again and again as I face challenging (and even less complex) decisions throughout my life. This is the book that truly answers the question “What to do when you don’t know what to do”! If you have ever had a problem making a decision, you need this book. It’s one that you will use over and over.
December 19, 2025
I first heard Angela Gorrell Williams teaching a course on the Glorify devotional app - it was content from this book, which was not yet published at the time. I found the story course segments really helpful and well balanced, which made me want to read the book.
I love the engaging blend of helpful spiritual guidance (from a Christian perspective), compelling stories (many centering black women and men who impacted the world in significant ways), and thought-provoking questions scattered throughout to help us on the decision-making journey.
The stories she shares include interviews with people from the present as well as inspiring historical figures, and all the stories help illustrate the principles shared beautifully.
I found the chapter titled "Summoning" particularly perspective-shifting for me, and the final chapter, "Sated Joy" deeply moving. There is an Appendix full of extremely useful exercises corresponding to each chapter, and the thorough notes section really scratched the itch in my brain that always wants to know every source, but without interrupting the flow of text.
I highly recommend this book to those who are feeling stuck, and wondering if a difficult decision may be ahead.
I love the engaging blend of helpful spiritual guidance (from a Christian perspective), compelling stories (many centering black women and men who impacted the world in significant ways), and thought-provoking questions scattered throughout to help us on the decision-making journey.
The stories she shares include interviews with people from the present as well as inspiring historical figures, and all the stories help illustrate the principles shared beautifully.
I found the chapter titled "Summoning" particularly perspective-shifting for me, and the final chapter, "Sated Joy" deeply moving. There is an Appendix full of extremely useful exercises corresponding to each chapter, and the thorough notes section really scratched the itch in my brain that always wants to know every source, but without interrupting the flow of text.
I highly recommend this book to those who are feeling stuck, and wondering if a difficult decision may be ahead.
November 28, 2024
Angela Williams Gorrell is an author, professor, and Mennonite minister whose newest book is entitled, "Braving Difficult Decisions: What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do." The title caught my eye because who hasn't been at the crossroads of a hard choice and wondered what their next step should be? Each chapter of this book is centered around a common question such as, "Who should I ask for advice?" and "Where do I start?" Each of those questions is then giving a corresponding prayer to go along with it. Each chapter then ends with a summary that the author refers to as "field notes." At the end of the book is an appendix that includes various activities to try when you're stuck and don't know what to do.
Gorrell weaves her own personal story into this book alongside stories from others who have had to make difficult decisions. This book contains a plethora of practical, helpful advice. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Gorrell weaves her own personal story into this book alongside stories from others who have had to make difficult decisions. This book contains a plethora of practical, helpful advice. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
March 19, 2025
I'm not quite done reading this yet, but I have been really enjoying this book. I am not currently facing a crossroads in life, but I am a pastor, and I'm thankful to have this on my shelf - both for my parishioners and for my future self.
I love and learn most from personal stories, and the author does a good job of sharing from her life, while still filling the pages with useful tools and techniques for readers. Each chapter has questions and practices to apply in seeking clarity, as well as solid spiritual direction tips and the kind of insight one might receive from a trained therapist.
I love and learn most from personal stories, and the author does a good job of sharing from her life, while still filling the pages with useful tools and techniques for readers. Each chapter has questions and practices to apply in seeking clarity, as well as solid spiritual direction tips and the kind of insight one might receive from a trained therapist.
April 21, 2025
We have all been at a crossroads before, and I wish I’d had this book during those moments. But thankfully we have it now! Dr. Gorrell has given us a beautiful, practical resource to help when we are facing difficult decisions. Using stories, exercises, and practical wisdom, Dr. Gorrell guides us through life changes. I recommend this to anyone, but I can see it being especially helpful for college graduates, people in recovery (or considering becoming sober), anyone struggling with burnout, and anyone who feels aimless or voiceless. Turn shame and avoidance into courage and growth
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews