Habits of Resistance: 7 Ways You're Being Formed By Culture and Gospel Practices to Help You Push Back

by Elizabeth Woodson

208 pages, Paperback

Published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Brandi Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all—this book is the fresh approach to Christian spiritual formation that I didn’t know I needed! 🔥

Whether we know it or not, we are being formed by something. Unless we’re intentional about being formed by Christ, culture is likely shaping us more than we realize.

Elizabeth speaks directly to this issue. She calls out seven ways culture seeks to form us and offers biblical counternarratives, along with practices that help us resist false formation.

One thing I especially loved is how Elizabeth weaves in the biblical narrative. She takes us back to the beginning of the human story, showing us how we were made for shalom—“a life of wholeness and delight, where everything is as it ought to be”—and how being formed by God is the only way to truly experience it.

This is a Christian spiritual formation book that I’d recommend to anyone—hands down a new favorite! Add it to your TBR, friends.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so refreshing! An alternate title could be Habits of Resistance: Spiritual Disciplines in the 21st Century. That's basically what Elizabeth Woodson does for us. She demonstrates how, if we don't consciously resist, we are continually formed by culture's narratives and habits. Then, she highlights how God gives us something far better and offers a habit to live out that better story.
In some ways, the habits seem pretty basic, including prayer, fasting, and confession. But the way the book is formatted, by the time she introduces the habit in each chapter, the reader is practically itching to do something to fight back against the pull of culture. I especially found the discussions on church, confession, and service (how we interact with one another) to be impactful and needed in our current cultural moment.
I would recommend this if you're looking to brush up on your spiritual disciplines, or if you just want to be encouraged to keep on keeping on as you seek to be a light in this world. Readers of Justin Whitmel Earley or Tish Harrison Warren's Liturgy of the Ordinary will also find similar things to enjoy here.
Many things to Netgalley and B&H Publisher for the advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Milinda Yount · Rating 5 out of 5]

Habits of Resistance by Elizabeth Woodson is helpful, well done, made me think, timely and I enjoyed reading it. I appreciated it enough that as soon as I finished the electronic ARC I went and pre-ordered the book so I’d have a copy for my shelf for future reference and sharing. Woodson writes about spiritual disciplines including prayer, fasting, gathering with the church family, service, confession, and meditation. She presents thoughtful and well-developed discussion of relevant cultural narratives and habits that we often turn to before presenting the spiritual disciple we can apply instead. These discussions made me think and consist of much more than defining the disciplines, each chapter motivated me to either begin them (like fasting) or pursue them more diligently.

Thank you to B&H Publishing and NetGalley for providing the advanced reader copy. Habits of Resistance is expected to be released on February 3, 2026.

[Lia Ross Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really challenged me to ask myself what is shaping me. It’s so easy to get pulled into social media and even the good things we are fed, but am I spending my time forming habits that are shaping me more like Christ? Each chapter calls us to resist false gospels and embrace the wholeness we have in Christ. I love how conversational it feels, with real, vulnerable moments shared along with lots of scripture. It’s practical and personal, and it makes you want to stop and reflect on your own habits and the ways culture is shaping your life. This is a book I will be thinking about and coming back to again.