What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
21 days and 22:23:11
3 copies available
U.S. only
What Grows in Weary Lands: On Christian Resilience
Not yet published
Expected 12 May 26Win a free print copy of this book!
21 days and 22:23:11
3 copies available
U.S. only
How do we cultivate faith that endures? From the award-winning author and former New York Times writer comes a fresh vision for navigating burnout and weariness through ancient Christian practices—guiding us toward lives of resilience, renewal, and flourishing.
Early Christians often grappled with a reality we rarely talk about in contemporary life: that God seems to abandon the soul at times, leaving us feeling as if we are alone and left to our own resources. These are times of futility, when work and relationships feel hard, when prayer feels unsatisfying, and we question if our efforts are amounting to anything.
For centuries, Tish Harrison Warren notes, times of “aridity” were seen as necessary—prerequisites for growth and maturity. Yet in our culture fixated on speed and optimization, we risk losing this deeper sense of the human journey and the resilience that comes with it.
Writing for a moment when two-thirds of Americans are dissatisfied with their work and a sense of languishing is widespread, Warren draws from her own season of exhaustion and also from the rich well of Christian tradition--particularly the earliest Christian monks--to discover the habits and mindsets that anchor us through doubt, difficulty, and spiritual dryness. She offers hope to those who feel like life is overwhelming, taxing, or disorienting.
What Grows in Weary Lands speaks to anyone longing for a life of depth in a distracted age. Warren helps us see that nothing is wasted—that, even in desert seasons, something good is growing, rooted in grace and reaching toward glory.
Early Christians often grappled with a reality we rarely talk about in contemporary life: that God seems to abandon the soul at times, leaving us feeling as if we are alone and left to our own resources. These are times of futility, when work and relationships feel hard, when prayer feels unsatisfying, and we question if our efforts are amounting to anything.
For centuries, Tish Harrison Warren notes, times of “aridity” were seen as necessary—prerequisites for growth and maturity. Yet in our culture fixated on speed and optimization, we risk losing this deeper sense of the human journey and the resilience that comes with it.
Writing for a moment when two-thirds of Americans are dissatisfied with their work and a sense of languishing is widespread, Warren draws from her own season of exhaustion and also from the rich well of Christian tradition--particularly the earliest Christian monks--to discover the habits and mindsets that anchor us through doubt, difficulty, and spiritual dryness. She offers hope to those who feel like life is overwhelming, taxing, or disorienting.
What Grows in Weary Lands speaks to anyone longing for a life of depth in a distracted age. Warren helps us see that nothing is wasted—that, even in desert seasons, something good is growing, rooted in grace and reaching toward glory.
192 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 12, 2026
3104 people want to read
About the author
Tish Harrison Warren
20 books734 followersTish Harrison Warren is a priest in the Anglican Church in North America. After eight years with InterVarsity Graduate and Faculty Ministries at Vanderbilt and The University of Texas at Austin, she now serves as co-associate rector at Church of the Ascension in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She writes regularly for The Well, CT Women (formerly her.meneutics), and Christianity Today. Her work has also appeared in Comment Magazine, Christ and Pop Culture, Art House America, and elsewhere. She and her husband Jonathan have two young daughters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 23, 2026
I love all of Tish Harrison Warren's books so I was looking forward to this new one. As with all of her books, I have to read it slowly and go through it a second time to journal and take notes on what stood out to me. This book is about acedia, the experience of spiritual apathy, dryness, and practices from the Dessert Mothers and Fathers for spiritual resilience. In a time of great burn out and quick fixes, I appreciate Warren's encouragement to "stay in your cell", "pledge your body to the walls," and "let the silt settle." She offers thought provoking lessons and practices for the craft of faith even in times of spiritual dryness. This book will be an encouragement to anyone trying to "trust in the slow work of God",
February 2, 2026
Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to review this ARC! This is a beautifully written book that covers subjects often not brought into the light: wrestling with suffering, persistence, resilience, weariness and the Christian faith. I enjoyed that this book had so much to offer on these subjects and I took many notes on the metaphors and perspectives shared.. It may be helpful to know that this book takes more of a descriptive approach to these topics, not necessarily prescriptive, At some points, the chapters felt too brief and I found myself wanting to sit with a topic for a little longer before moving on. Overall, I enjoyed this read and walked away feeling encouraged to double down on the everyday, normal Christian practices - the substance of our faith.
December 19, 2025
Another beautiful, pastoral book from Tish Harrison Warren. This is a book about resilience through burnout, and the spiritual lethargy that has been called acedia. She points out that burnout often comes from doing things we love, and she helpfully identifies the spiritual "slump" we feel when we are not on the "mountaintop," which she calls "aridity."
In this book, she says nothing new, and I think the author would agree with that. She looks to the Desert Fathers and Mothers to teach us the disciplines of stability and patience. It continues from other books on the "domestic monastery" idea.
One of the most eye-opening moments was when she explained that the dark night of the soul isn't just "bad things in life," but a necessary step after the "honeymoon" of faith where the training wheels come off, and we learn to love God for God, rather than for the blessings God gives. She draws a connection to Psalm 131, where a weaned child loves the mother more for who she is than what she can give.
The subchapter organization leans into the author's strength in essay writing. The 2- to 4-page mini-chapters aren't sound bytes for short attention spans, but interlocking thought-nuggets building together to a chapter.
**received early access via NetGalley from the publisher**
In this book, she says nothing new, and I think the author would agree with that. She looks to the Desert Fathers and Mothers to teach us the disciplines of stability and patience. It continues from other books on the "domestic monastery" idea.
One of the most eye-opening moments was when she explained that the dark night of the soul isn't just "bad things in life," but a necessary step after the "honeymoon" of faith where the training wheels come off, and we learn to love God for God, rather than for the blessings God gives. She draws a connection to Psalm 131, where a weaned child loves the mother more for who she is than what she can give.
The subchapter organization leans into the author's strength in essay writing. The 2- to 4-page mini-chapters aren't sound bytes for short attention spans, but interlocking thought-nuggets building together to a chapter.
**received early access via NetGalley from the publisher**
February 14, 2026
I have been a fan of Tish Harrison Warren for a long time. This is my favorite thing she has written. It’s seriously so good! It has been at least a decade since a book met where I am like this one did, but it also helped me feel connected to Christians across centuries and continents. This book is full of practical wisdom, and it manages to feel both grounded and hopeful. I know it’s one I will reread, possibly very soon.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.
January 27, 2026
It feels like Tish has articulated some of my feelings, groaning, lack of motivation- my questions and doubts in my own desert.
Wow- such eloquent yet easily approachable read.
Nothing is wasted - even the mundande, the ashes.
Leaning into the lulls, leaning into what seems to be lack of growth… my goodness Tish!
Your words are true balm to weary souls.
Honored to have received an advanced copy via NetGalley
Wow- such eloquent yet easily approachable read.
Nothing is wasted - even the mundande, the ashes.
Leaning into the lulls, leaning into what seems to be lack of growth… my goodness Tish!
Your words are true balm to weary souls.
Honored to have received an advanced copy via NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Tish Harrison Warren is an author I usually look forward to reading, which may seem surprising given that I hold to complementarianism and Tish is a priest in the Anglican Church. Knowing that, it’s also important to say that there is much to learn from her—and this book did not disappoint.
What Grows in Weary Lands meets the reader in a place of tiredness, dryness, and quiet perseverance. Interestingly, only about a month before reading this book, I came across the writings of the Desert Fathers, so it felt like a timely and pleasant surprise to see Tish draw on their wisdom. Their theology of faithfulness in obscurity, endurance in dryness, and trust in God amid weariness fits beautifully with the themes of this book.
As in her previous works, Tish writes with genuine openness. She does not shy away from doubts, fears, grief, or spiritual fatigue, but neither does she linger in them in a way that feels hopeless. Instead, she reflects on how believers can face these realities faithfully, honestly, and with hope. Her vulnerability never feels self-indulgent; it serves the reader by naming experiences many of us quietly carry.
One of the things I especially appreciated is that the book offers new ways of seeing rather than easy answers. There are ideas here that invite reflection and gentle practice, rather than pressure. A small but memorable example is this passage:
“I have an old friend who kept a photo on her desk of a turtle basking in the sun, resplendent in chelonian bliss. Above it, she wrote, ‘Never feel guilty for doing those things that feed your soul.’”
That line stayed with me, and I genuinely plan to put it into practice.
I was also introduced to Dorothy Day’s phrase “the duty of delight,” a concept I had not encountered before. It speaks to the importance of attending to beauty and joy even in a broken world—not as denial, but as faithfulness. As someone who is deeply shaped by beauty, this is something I want to explore further.
Another strength of this book is how often Tish reminds us—gently and without adding to our already long list of expectations—that faith is not meant to be lived alone. She explains why community matters, how God uses others to sustain us, and why isolation slowly deforms faith. Importantly, she does this without moral pressure or fear-based language. Similarly, her reflections on pausing, rest, and attentiveness are rooted not in productivity but in human limitation and grace.
The passage that spoke to me most reflects on the question of which believers sustain our faith and make us want to keep believing. Rather than presenting faith as a solitary effort, Tish emphasises the formative role of faithful people and shared life. She encourages intentional immersion in Christian community, not because it is perfect, but because it helps us learn to see and seek what is true, good, and beautiful. She also points to the importance of drawing from the wider communion of believers—through the writings, prayers, songs, and art of those who have wrestled honestly with God across time—reminding us that faith is something we receive, practice, and grow into together.
Overall, What Grows in Weary Lands is a book for those who are tired but still hopeful, questioning but still committed, dry yet quietly longing for growth. It is honest without being heavy, reflective without being vague, and deeply humane in the best sense.
A sincere thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to review What Grows in Weary Lands by Tish Harrison Warren. It was a deeply enriching and thought-provoking read, and I’m grateful to have experienced Tish's beautiful reflections on perseverance and faith.
What Grows in Weary Lands meets the reader in a place of tiredness, dryness, and quiet perseverance. Interestingly, only about a month before reading this book, I came across the writings of the Desert Fathers, so it felt like a timely and pleasant surprise to see Tish draw on their wisdom. Their theology of faithfulness in obscurity, endurance in dryness, and trust in God amid weariness fits beautifully with the themes of this book.
As in her previous works, Tish writes with genuine openness. She does not shy away from doubts, fears, grief, or spiritual fatigue, but neither does she linger in them in a way that feels hopeless. Instead, she reflects on how believers can face these realities faithfully, honestly, and with hope. Her vulnerability never feels self-indulgent; it serves the reader by naming experiences many of us quietly carry.
One of the things I especially appreciated is that the book offers new ways of seeing rather than easy answers. There are ideas here that invite reflection and gentle practice, rather than pressure. A small but memorable example is this passage:
“I have an old friend who kept a photo on her desk of a turtle basking in the sun, resplendent in chelonian bliss. Above it, she wrote, ‘Never feel guilty for doing those things that feed your soul.’”
That line stayed with me, and I genuinely plan to put it into practice.
I was also introduced to Dorothy Day’s phrase “the duty of delight,” a concept I had not encountered before. It speaks to the importance of attending to beauty and joy even in a broken world—not as denial, but as faithfulness. As someone who is deeply shaped by beauty, this is something I want to explore further.
Another strength of this book is how often Tish reminds us—gently and without adding to our already long list of expectations—that faith is not meant to be lived alone. She explains why community matters, how God uses others to sustain us, and why isolation slowly deforms faith. Importantly, she does this without moral pressure or fear-based language. Similarly, her reflections on pausing, rest, and attentiveness are rooted not in productivity but in human limitation and grace.
The passage that spoke to me most reflects on the question of which believers sustain our faith and make us want to keep believing. Rather than presenting faith as a solitary effort, Tish emphasises the formative role of faithful people and shared life. She encourages intentional immersion in Christian community, not because it is perfect, but because it helps us learn to see and seek what is true, good, and beautiful. She also points to the importance of drawing from the wider communion of believers—through the writings, prayers, songs, and art of those who have wrestled honestly with God across time—reminding us that faith is something we receive, practice, and grow into together.
Overall, What Grows in Weary Lands is a book for those who are tired but still hopeful, questioning but still committed, dry yet quietly longing for growth. It is honest without being heavy, reflective without being vague, and deeply humane in the best sense.
A sincere thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to review What Grows in Weary Lands by Tish Harrison Warren. It was a deeply enriching and thought-provoking read, and I’m grateful to have experienced Tish's beautiful reflections on perseverance and faith.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“Grace offers us forgiveness, and grace grows new shoots of goodness in us.”
This book has all the potential to become a contemporary classic. It is an incredibly beautiful work that draws you into the faith doubts of Tish Warren. With remarkable honesty, she resists jumping to quick conclusions and instead anchors herself in the wisdom of the Desert Fathers. She is not alone in her doubts. Far from it. These are questions we are allowed to wrestle with together, alongside generations of Christians who came before us.
The tension of her doubt is palpable throughout the book, and as a reader you find yourself hoping it will be resolved. In the end, it is not entirely, but the grip she finds seems, as she herself writes, to grow deeper roots through the search for water, allowing her to keep growing. The number of beautiful, quotable lines in this book is endless.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley before publication, but once it hits the shelves, I will very likely buy several copies to give away.
Highly recommended. Read it.
This book has all the potential to become a contemporary classic. It is an incredibly beautiful work that draws you into the faith doubts of Tish Warren. With remarkable honesty, she resists jumping to quick conclusions and instead anchors herself in the wisdom of the Desert Fathers. She is not alone in her doubts. Far from it. These are questions we are allowed to wrestle with together, alongside generations of Christians who came before us.
The tension of her doubt is palpable throughout the book, and as a reader you find yourself hoping it will be resolved. In the end, it is not entirely, but the grip she finds seems, as she herself writes, to grow deeper roots through the search for water, allowing her to keep growing. The number of beautiful, quotable lines in this book is endless.
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley before publication, but once it hits the shelves, I will very likely buy several copies to give away.
Highly recommended. Read it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and offer my thoughts! Tish Warren Harrison writes with candor, grace, generosity, and a raw vulnerability about life and faith. This book considers how to reflect and consider burnout from within the tradition of Christian spirituality. She leans heavily on the writings of the ancient Desert Fathers and Mothers for models, imagery, and guides for living out faith in times of burnout and spiritual quiet. She ties these ancient stories with her life experiences and modern reflections on burnout to offer spiritual guidance. But, she doesn’t give tried answers, how to’s, or solutions. Instead, she reflects on the experience of burnout and spiritual exhaustion or silence. If you want an answer on how to get out of spiritual malaise, she won’t give you one, and truthfully there isn’t an answer. She encourages faith as a life practice, and that is good counsel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow. Tish Harrison Warren somehow is able to write as one sharing where they’ve been, instructing where to go, and bestowing hope for the journey-for herself and for the reader. In hearing sermons I often wish that the preacher was a better reader or writer, but in reading Tish Harrison Warren write I feel as if the writer has ministered deeply to my soul. This book comes after her own deep season of burn out, but she writes about herself and others who have experienced such seasons as one of restart and resurrection. What grows in weary lands? Hope. Endurance. Resilience.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was greatly impacted by Tish Harrison Warren’s book Prayer in the Night, so I jumped at the opportunity to read her latest book. It didn’t disappoint. This is a book about spiritual dryness, resilience, and the weariness of life. Through her own personal experience and the experiences of the Desert Fathers, she teaches us how to navigate the arid wilderness we may find ourselves in and see it as an opportunity for growth and healing. I’ll definitely be buying a hard copy of this book to read again.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a beautiful and honest look at what could possibly grow in the deserts of our lives. I appreciate Tish’s vulnerability and how she has brought together the wisdom of the desert mothers and fathers in an understandable way for today’s world and that inspires me to read more of the desert wisdom.
Read
March 6, 2026read for work #teamprh
January 17, 2026
Fantastic follow up to prayer in the night. Writing out of her own experience of being worn, she brings a modern perspective to the Desert Fathers and mother’s writings on reliance and perseverance. Definitely encouraging, thoughtfully written and easy to understand.
February 15, 2026
Tish Harrison Warren's book Prayer in the Night profoundly impacted me, and so when I received the opportunity to read her latest book on resilience, I could not wait to dive in. In her usual way, Warren uses a poetic writing style to create yet another beautifully written volume exploring suffering and persistence. The chapters are interlaced with personal stories and historical insights from the Desert Fathers' wisdom and experiences. Warren's honesty and vulnerability in sharing her own struggles with burnout and fatigue are qualities that will certainly be relatable to many readers. As such, for those who find themselves in those moments of weakness, doubt, and uncertainty, these chapters offer a wonderful hope of renewal and resurrection.
I continue to recommend Warren's works for those seeking to grow spiritually, including this newest addition. It is impossible not to feel her pastoral heart and encouragement. At the same time, I must admit desiring a little more What Grows in Weary Lands. For this reader, it did not quite provide the same punchiness and memorability as her previous works. The brevity of some chapters left me desiring more. Yet, it is undoubtedly a timely work and, considering the ever-increasing expectations of performance and productivity, a timeless one, too.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
My thanks to NetGalley and Convergent Books for the Advance Reading Copy and the opportunity to offer my honest review.
I continue to recommend Warren's works for those seeking to grow spiritually, including this newest addition. It is impossible not to feel her pastoral heart and encouragement. At the same time, I must admit desiring a little more What Grows in Weary Lands. For this reader, it did not quite provide the same punchiness and memorability as her previous works. The brevity of some chapters left me desiring more. Yet, it is undoubtedly a timely work and, considering the ever-increasing expectations of performance and productivity, a timeless one, too.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
My thanks to NetGalley and Convergent Books for the Advance Reading Copy and the opportunity to offer my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews