Courageous: Being Daughters Rooted in Grace

by Terra A. Mattson

The stakes have never been higher as daughters of every age are navigating a world of hyper-sexualization, social media hangover, extreme loneliness, and a flood of confusing messages. Whether readers desire to know more of who they are created to be or are raising daughters who are just beginning their own journeys, Courageous leads women and those they love through transformation as they experience:
confidence in who God made them to be 
resiliency regardless of circumstances 
faithfulness to God's heartbeat
bold living through faith-filled risk-taking 
the joy of finding their voice and then using it for the voiceless
vibrant community with other daughters
Crafted with biblical wisdom, professional insights, and personal stories, Courageous explores the core concerns that plague every woman's relationship with God, self, and others. Terra Mattson invites women and girls to join a global movement of Courageous Girls as they discover an empowered sense of purpose and an identity rooted in God's grace so they can love and be loved like never before.
 

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Parenting, Christian Non Fiction

272 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2020

Reviews

[Celestial · Rating 5 out of 5]

My words will not be able to give this book any justice, but for those of you with daughters- this is for you; in fact, this book is for any woman who needs to understand the depth of God's love for us. Terra Mattson provides tremendous comfort through the Word of God as well as her own experiences as a marriage and family therapist. She provides testimonies and observations from other clinicians who stay true to the Word of God. Those who understand today's culture and society have experienced the desire to feel accepted; most of us have/had a hole within ourselves that could not be fulfilled with drugs, drinking, social media posts, partying, sex, etc. *write your escapism here*. Unfortunately, we live in a society where most women (and men), do not understand their value through the eyes of their Maker. For those that need a sense of true self-worth, what it means to be loved above and beyond by a God that is full of mercy, grace and forgiveness, and want to have everything based off of biblical principles- this book is for you. I pray it blesses all who read it as it did me.

[Madison Hamner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful and thought-provoking. Makes you look at yourself and your lifestyle while remaining purely about your relationship with God and living out His truths. I appreciate her indepthness, and these chapters did not feel unnecessarily wordy or like fillers. Pages flipped themselves as it is informative and enjoyable to read. However, and perhaps this is just me, it is difficult to remember what she wrote. Her writing is not bad, and what she says is good, but it is not memorable. I hate to say that since I enjoyed it so much and it did make me ponder, and it has good truths in it. I'd still recommend it to others and reread it.

[Jessie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally.. a book that is clinically sound AND rooted in biblical truth. Love it!

[Kristina Aziz · Rating 3 out of 5]

More grace than parenting

This was a cute book, with sources outside of the Bible regarding the development of children. The only complaint I could have is this book held 80% evangelising to the 20% actual parenting advice.

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway

[Jennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a conference giveaway. I was excited to read this because I have heard the author speak at a couple of conferences I attended and wanted to hear more from her. I really appreciate the author's approach to a wholehearted life. Especially as the Christian church historically has glossed-over or minimized the psychological needs of members. (Even as far as telling people who have anxiety, depression etc. that they aren't spiritual enough or have some unresolved sin). Terra's approach to teaching is refreshing because she connects neurobiology, trauma and God's intention for us via scripture. I really wanted to love this book. I ended up giving the book 2 stars because I felt a little duped. The first reason why has to do with the dozens and dozens and dozens of references to her Courageous Girls program/curriculum. It felt sales-pitchy and exclusive --especially for readers who do not have 'Courageous Girls'/girls participating in a such a program/daughters at all. The book's premise and a lot of the content is directed at being daughters rooted in grace (as adult women). But it is really only for 'mother's of daughters' or 'Courageous Mamas' as the author writes. I tried to apply this to my situation but honestly I would not recommend if you are not the mother of a daughter. You will just be frustrated and annoyed. The content could have been presented without these references and it would not alienate readers. The second reason I reduced my rating has to do with some contradictions I found concerning. The author purports ideals of a judgement-free mindset and approach to self and others. But is oddly describing the poor job parents of Millennials did raising them, Millennials subsequent inability to cope with life, and poor job Millennials are doing as parents (ch. 7). This passage does not come across as 'rooted in grace'. Rather it reinforced negative stereotypes many hold about Millennials. It also does not offer any redeeming qualities Millennials, of which there are many (or the parents who raised them) which seems one-sided and incomplete. And finally, there is quite a bit of the author's personal story interwoven throughout. I typically enjoy reading this type of narrative but felt the author had some unchecked "back in my day" bias (before cell phones, social media, etc etc) and romanticized upbringing to the point she sounds un-relatable and perhaps in denial. This was repeatedly used in contrast with what she sees now as bad/problematic/concerning among today's young people (Millennials, GenZ and Alpha). Again, this felt alienating and had me questioning her idyllic upbringing as described. Bottom line, this is a good book for a very specific audience (likely written for the author's peer group and friends): Christian-inclined Gen-X mothers of daughters who are participating in her Courageous Girls program. Others may find it exclusive, alienating and disingenuous.

[Sharla Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book written for moms who have daughters however I found many useful tools as a mom of boys. I also felt I personally could identify with many things she wrote that made me pause for thought in my own life. I will be handing this book out to all mamas.

[Barb Hegreberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I agreed to review this book I was not aware that it “is a supplement for Courageous Girls groups and is written especially for the mamas who lead and participate in them.”

My son and daughter are both adults and living in other states but I will do my best to give an objective review.

The chapter headings are probably the best way to summarize the book. I don’t know a Christian mom who wouldn’t pray each of these characteristics over her daughter(s).

The Reality of Being a Girl

She Walks with Confidence

She Embraces Holy Crap

She Feels to Heal

She Tunes in to the Voice of Grace

She Knows Who She is in Community

She Makes and Keeps Friends

She Is Fearless … Almost

She Is His Beloved

She Dreams … Big

She Practices Rhythms of Rest

For more on the Courageous Girls Movement CLICK HERE

I received this book FREE from the author, publisher, distributor, or other source. My only obligation is to provide a fair and honest review.

[Ibigbami Oluwakemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

The book was honest and practical. Great and exciting to read and provided an insightful message to ladies and guys. Just wondering why it is restricted to daughters only.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Won this book on Goodreads) Being a member of girls group already I was interested in seeing what information or practices can be brought over for us to explore. I was very impressed with the everyday use of tasks and ideas to use to strengthen relationships with our daughters. I recommend this for all people. Very well written and full of great informative information.

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courageous girl group

A book for courageous girls group, a group dedicated for girls to grow in faith in this end times. Being a girl in this times surely a hard things, as well as parenting a girl.

[Graeme Hodgson · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the idea of a courageous mother and daughter who follow the Holy Spirit's leading is excellent, yet I feel this book could have been (at least) halved, instead of basically repeating the same theme over and over.