Leaning on Jesus: Strength for a Woman's Heart

by Michelle Wilson

No books, blogs, or studies can prepare you for the complexities of womanhood. The joys and challenges that come with being a woman can often feel like a roller coaster of highs and lows, especially when sweet moments are tempered by feelings of inadequacy. If your journey through life too often feels like an unforgiving magnification of your weaknesses and shortcomings or you find yourself feeling alone, it is time to turn to the healing balm of the Savior's love.

In this mix of memoir, insights, and inspiration, Leaning on Jesus takes readers through the ups and downs of womanhood, gives practical tools for a better life, and highlights the importance of cultivating a relationship with the Savior to find power, purpose, and peace. You'll laugh and cry in equal measure as author Michelle Wilson describes her own experiences, delving into the common fears women of all ages and stages face and exploring each topic from motherhood to menopause with humor and heart. Find strength in this sweet reminder of your invaluable role as a woman, and catch a glimpse of your true magnificence in the Lord's eyes.

Genres: Lds

304 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2020

About the author

MICHELLE WILSON is a wife, mom, and popular inspirational author and speaker. She loves family, faith, and food, and admittedly has a bad habit of laughing at the wrong times. Through her published books and years of speaking to groups large and small, Michelle has helped thousands of women build stronger relationships with themselves, others, and Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. She believes in the power of choice, purpose, and perspective, and feels every woman can be joyful and brave.

She blogs at michellewilsonwrites.com, where you can find uplifting, honest, and thought-provoking posts. You can also find the recipe for best chocolate chip cookie ever.

Reviews

[NaDell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I loved reading a mix of encouragement from the authors life and stories of other women combined with scriptures and guidance from religious leaders as well as other great people.
I read the first few chapters and couldn't stop thinking of a particular friend every time I picked it up, so I bought her a copy and sent it to her.
Don't we all need encouragement to truly lean on Jesus in good times and bad? He's not only there to catch us when we fall, but always there at any season of our lives.

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Have hope in Him." In my world, it is easy to get caught up with how I think my life should be, how my home should be, and how my children should be. This book resonates with me on many levels.

There are two chapters that touched me deeply. They were the messages that I was meant to embrace in my life and try to do/be better. There is a lot of great information in this book. I will revisit sometime when I need to hear/embrace another precept. Michelle Wilson knows how to write an inspirational book that appeals to me. She uses scriptural references, her own experience, and the experiences of others.

The first chapter that I needed to hear was Chapter 6 - Weight a Minute. In this chapter, she mentioned that there are women we hear about who had amazing accomplishments. She then poses the question of whether their weight or figure is something that we know or think about. I am hard on myself and beat myself up that I don't have the figure that I want. I have a negative dialogue going on inside of my head. I was reminded to love myself right now and not focus on the scale. She doesn't advocate not taking care of yourself or making positive goals to lose weight, she made me realize that as I accept myself I can make the changes that I need to in a positive way.

Chapter 16 - The Child You Have. This is a hard one. She mentions that you should parent the child you have instead of the one you wish you had. I am blessed to be a mother. I love my children. There are times I wondered what I did wrong to deserve a child who suffered from depression. He started threatening suicide when he was 6 years old, in Kindergarten. I know in a book review you don't usually put your own experiences. I mention my experience because she writes this chapter with relatability. There are moments that we can glean understanding when it is presented in a certain way.

Michelle Wilson writes with humor. She takes the gospel topics and helps me to laugh through them. Yes, the gospel is serious, but it doesn't have to be presented in a dry way. Her writing appeals to me.

There are many more chapters that have great information. She has chapters focusing on women in the scriptures and how they faced being a mother. They went through some difficult things and persevered with faith. It reminds me that I am not alone. Together as women, we can get through this.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Tiffany Smart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted this to be different. This is written in biographical anecdotes and I was looking for something more theological.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of loving lovely ideas about strengthening our relationship with our Savior.

[M Summ · Rating 3 out of 5]

She had a few good points, like the fact that I will never be enough for anyone else, but I can be part of what makes up enough, when combined with the enough of others. She worded it better though.
The author was the audio book voice, and it felt too Time out for Women to me. But since the book was given me by a friend from work, I felt I had to list to it all the way through. I’m glad I did.
However I have no desire to read anything else by the author at this time.

[Vibeke Hiatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book became my Sunday book, after scripture study was done. There were many nuggets in Michelle Wilson's words that were just what I needed to hear at just the right time. At other times, though, she strayed into speculation or wrote repetitively. It's a nice little book that doesn't need to be read quickly.

[Emily Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was timely for me. With the world going crazy sometimes its nice to hear that it is okay to not be perfect. This book was uplifting with glorious examples of strong and flawed women that we might have something in common with. I read much of it as I put an unruly 7 year old to bed. It brought peace at the ends of the trying days. I did a straight through read though the author gives some great recommendations in an early chapter as to what to read with certain trials. While written for an audience of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the messages can be universal and applicable to Christian women everywhere. The message is uplifting and supportive as well as understanding and showing true empathy. I am planning on sharing this with my mom and sisters.

I received an eARC and these are my own thoughts.

[Holly Bleggi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book! I loved how this author inspired me to be a better woman and to know that I am doing great things even when it may not feel that way. I loved how encouraging she was and that she helped us to see how, as women, we have a special relationship with God. I also loved the different examples of women from the scriptures that she used to help us see their attributes in us. I really appreciate her writing this book and will share it with other women in my life.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

[Michelle Dennis Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle wrote a beautiful book written for women and their unique trials and viewpoints. The first part of the book set up a beautiful analogy drawing upon John the Beloved when he leaned on the Savior and how we all need to lean on the Savior more. The rest of the book departed from that format, but was still inspirational. Michelle filled her book with family stories and life experiences that helped bring the concepts down to relatability and underscore her teachings. This is a great book for women who are looking for a boost and a lift in their relationship with the Lord.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book with a spiritual message. I expected it to be a bit different than it turned out, though. The first part of the book talked a lot about leaning on Jesus and pulled from the scriptures, which I loved. The rest of the book deviated from that pattern and used focused mostly on insights and life experiences from the author. Although different from the first, it was good and very inspiring.

[Mycah · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Be purposely hopeful.” I absolutely loved this book, and I loved listening to the author read her own words. I especially loved the chapters about women in the scriptures and wrote each chapter down to help me remember the characteristics of those Godly women- it hangs up by my bathroom mirror so that I see it each morning. Such a thoughtful book.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought me comfort at this time when the world is in chaos. The stories, insights and scriptures are just what I needed, when it is hard to feel peace.

[Jan Ostler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites! So many perfect nuggets of truth. I will be reading this again and taking good notes!!!

[Jenna]

DNF 1% Definitely not for me

[Sabra Ann Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book... it spoke to me in many ways... would highly recommend it

[Kelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a powerful book! So many wonderful thoughts. I felt the spirit whispering truths to me throughout the entire book. At times I felt like she was in my head!

[Mela Christiansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book. Just what I needed.