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The Journey of Yes: The Everyday Adventure of Radical Obedience
A captivating exploration into the transformative power of saying yes to God’s call, even when it leads to unexpected paths—and into a wildly more fulfilling life.
“This is a powerful testimony of what happens when you surrender to God’s call and trust Him with the process. Brenda’s story will stir your spirit and remind you that obedience to God isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.”—Crystal Renee Hayslett, actor, producer, singer, host of Keep It Positive, Sweetie podcast
Stepping into the unknown is scary. But what if saying yes despite your fears leads you to a life beyond your imagination? In The Journey of Yes, pastor and podcast host Brenda Palmer shares how everyday obedience freed her from fear and led to profound purpose. Through intimate anecdotes, insightful reflections, and practical guidance, she illuminates the incredible gift of saying yes to God, who leads us through all of life’s opportunities and challenges.
Drawing from scripture and her own personal odyssey—from leaving a dream career and moving across country to giving up financial security and status to follow God's call—Palmer empowers you to conquer fears, embrace vulnerability, and embark on a remarkable journey of self-discovery. She illuminates the paradox that while obedience may come at a cost, it unveils a world of unimaginable blessings and spiritual abundance. As you join her on this journey of faith and obedience, you'll learn that God’s purpose for your life is much grander than material gifts or achieving goals, but about the giver of life Himself.
Palmer’s inspiring revelations and storytelling equip you with a renewed sense of purpose and encouragement to live a life of wholehearted devotion and surrender. Because by saying yes to God, you will uncover a life of infinite possibilities, joy, and lasting fulfillment.
“This is a powerful testimony of what happens when you surrender to God’s call and trust Him with the process. Brenda’s story will stir your spirit and remind you that obedience to God isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.”—Crystal Renee Hayslett, actor, producer, singer, host of Keep It Positive, Sweetie podcast
Stepping into the unknown is scary. But what if saying yes despite your fears leads you to a life beyond your imagination? In The Journey of Yes, pastor and podcast host Brenda Palmer shares how everyday obedience freed her from fear and led to profound purpose. Through intimate anecdotes, insightful reflections, and practical guidance, she illuminates the incredible gift of saying yes to God, who leads us through all of life’s opportunities and challenges.
Drawing from scripture and her own personal odyssey—from leaving a dream career and moving across country to giving up financial security and status to follow God's call—Palmer empowers you to conquer fears, embrace vulnerability, and embark on a remarkable journey of self-discovery. She illuminates the paradox that while obedience may come at a cost, it unveils a world of unimaginable blessings and spiritual abundance. As you join her on this journey of faith and obedience, you'll learn that God’s purpose for your life is much grander than material gifts or achieving goals, but about the giver of life Himself.
Palmer’s inspiring revelations and storytelling equip you with a renewed sense of purpose and encouragement to live a life of wholehearted devotion and surrender. Because by saying yes to God, you will uncover a life of infinite possibilities, joy, and lasting fulfillment.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2025
39 people are currently reading
2369 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 21, 2025
Book Review: The Journey of Yes: The Everyday Adventure of Radical Obedience by Brenda Palmer and Stephanie Ike Okafor
As a female sociologist and public health professional, I approached The Journey of Yes with both scholarly curiosity and personal introspection. This collaborative work—melding Palmer’s pastoral insights with Okafor’s visionary leadership—offers a provocative exploration of radical obedience as a transformative force, framed through faith narratives that intersect with themes of agency, systemic inequity, and collective healing.
Emotional and Intellectual Resonance
The book’s central thesis—that saying “yes” to divine calling can dismantle personal and societal barriers—stirred conflicting emotions. As a sociologist, I appreciated the nuanced discussion of how marginalized individuals (particularly Black women in ministry, per Okafor’s background) navigate institutionalized resistance. Palmer’s reflections on “unexpected paths” (e.g., her podcasting work amplifying marginalized voices) resonated with public health’s emphasis on community-led solutions.
Yet, I wrestled with the tension between individual obedience and structural constraints. The authors celebrate personal transformation but occasionally gloss over systemic inequities that make such “yes” journeys riskier for women of color—a gap that left me wanting deeper engagement with feminist and critical race theories. The emotional rawness in sections about overcoming self-doubt felt validating, though I questioned whether the framing of “radical obedience” could inadvertently valorize unsustainable sacrifice.
Constructive Criticism
-Structural Analysis: The book would benefit from explicitly linking spiritual obedience to sociological frameworks (e.g., Bourdieu’s habitus or Collins’ intersectionality). How does privilege shape one’s capacity to say “yes”?
-Public Health Connections: While trauma and resilience are themes, missed opportunities exist to connect faith-based obedience to trauma-informed care or community health models.
-Gender Nuance: Though both authors are women in ministry, the text rarely critiques patriarchal structures within religious institutions—a glaring omission given Okafor’s apostolic leadership.
Why This Book Matters
The Journey of Yes challenges readers to reimagine obedience as a radical act of self-liberation. For sociologists, it’s a case study in how marginalized communities leverage faith for agency; for public health practitioners, a reminder that spiritual narratives often underpin resilience strategies in underserved populations.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for the free review copy. This book is a catalyst for dialogue—flawed but fervent—about who gets to say “yes” and at what cost.
Reviewer’s Note: Pair with The Power of Your Dreams (Okafor) for thematic continuity, or Revolutionary Suicide (Huey P. Newton) for a secular counterpoint on radical obedience. A thought-provoking, if uneven, contribution.
As a female sociologist and public health professional, I approached The Journey of Yes with both scholarly curiosity and personal introspection. This collaborative work—melding Palmer’s pastoral insights with Okafor’s visionary leadership—offers a provocative exploration of radical obedience as a transformative force, framed through faith narratives that intersect with themes of agency, systemic inequity, and collective healing.
Emotional and Intellectual Resonance
The book’s central thesis—that saying “yes” to divine calling can dismantle personal and societal barriers—stirred conflicting emotions. As a sociologist, I appreciated the nuanced discussion of how marginalized individuals (particularly Black women in ministry, per Okafor’s background) navigate institutionalized resistance. Palmer’s reflections on “unexpected paths” (e.g., her podcasting work amplifying marginalized voices) resonated with public health’s emphasis on community-led solutions.
Yet, I wrestled with the tension between individual obedience and structural constraints. The authors celebrate personal transformation but occasionally gloss over systemic inequities that make such “yes” journeys riskier for women of color—a gap that left me wanting deeper engagement with feminist and critical race theories. The emotional rawness in sections about overcoming self-doubt felt validating, though I questioned whether the framing of “radical obedience” could inadvertently valorize unsustainable sacrifice.
Constructive Criticism
-Structural Analysis: The book would benefit from explicitly linking spiritual obedience to sociological frameworks (e.g., Bourdieu’s habitus or Collins’ intersectionality). How does privilege shape one’s capacity to say “yes”?
-Public Health Connections: While trauma and resilience are themes, missed opportunities exist to connect faith-based obedience to trauma-informed care or community health models.
-Gender Nuance: Though both authors are women in ministry, the text rarely critiques patriarchal structures within religious institutions—a glaring omission given Okafor’s apostolic leadership.
Why This Book Matters
The Journey of Yes challenges readers to reimagine obedience as a radical act of self-liberation. For sociologists, it’s a case study in how marginalized communities leverage faith for agency; for public health practitioners, a reminder that spiritual narratives often underpin resilience strategies in underserved populations.
Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for the free review copy. This book is a catalyst for dialogue—flawed but fervent—about who gets to say “yes” and at what cost.
Reviewer’s Note: Pair with The Power of Your Dreams (Okafor) for thematic continuity, or Revolutionary Suicide (Huey P. Newton) for a secular counterpoint on radical obedience. A thought-provoking, if uneven, contribution.
June 28, 2025
The Journey of Yes is exactly what we needed. It’s so refreshing to read real testimonials and hear about real encounters with the Lord. This book so far has been confirming my own Journey that I am on with God and what he has called me today. I highly recommend this book to anyone Christian that needs encouragement and to be enlightened with obedience to Christ!
July 1, 2025
Whether you are just starting, somewhere in the middle, or feeling like you’ve reached the end of your commitment to giving God a "yes," The Journey of Yes is a book worth reading.
This book has helped renew my own "yes" to God and has equipped me to continue my journey with Jesus.
Brenda's message about saying "yes" repeatedly will have a lasting impact on the world until the end of time.
This book has helped renew my own "yes" to God and has equipped me to continue my journey with Jesus.
Brenda's message about saying "yes" repeatedly will have a lasting impact on the world until the end of time.
June 28, 2025
I just started The Journey of Yes and I’m already hooked! From the very first pages, this book pulls you in with its honesty, encouragement, and powerful reminders about the beauty of surrendering to God’s plans. 10/10 I highly recommend!
December 12, 2025
challenging & encouraging
What an encouraging & challenging book to help you when struggling to say yes to God’s instructions. There are times it’s not easy but this book helps navigate those feelings and challenges .
What an encouraging & challenging book to help you when struggling to say yes to God’s instructions. There are times it’s not easy but this book helps navigate those feelings and challenges .
June 29, 2025
Brenda is not just giving fluff in this book, she’s giving lived experience that has inspired me on my journey of giving God my unconditional yes!
Such an easy read and full of personality!
Such an easy read and full of personality!
June 29, 2025
This is a must read. I love this book
July 22, 2025
Simply compels us to draw near to God! By reading this book, l found myself at the alter again-surrendered. Thank you Brenda
November 6, 2025
It was nice to hear about her journey of yes to God and what he has done in her life. It is helping me on my healing journey I am currently on.
November 8, 2025
Such a great read, literally 5/5 ⭐️. It was almost like this was written specifically for me
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews