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Everyday Faithfulness: The Beauty of Ordinary Perseverance in a Demanding World
What does the Christian life look like when life is unpredictable, hard, or just plain ordinary? We live in an instant-gratification world, where results are quickly measured and words like discipline and perseverance evoke thoughts of legalism or asceticism. But Everyday Faithfulness explores what daily perseverance in Christ looks like during various seasons when spiritual growth seems especially difficult. Working through the unique challenges that come with seasons of waiting, caretaking, suffering, worry, spiritual dryness, and more, this book delves into practical ways to build habits into everyday life that will aid in spiritual growth throughout a lifetime. Each chapter closes with a real-life example of a woman whose life of regular, everyday faithfulness will encourage readers to remain steadfast in theirs.
5 pages, Audiobook
First published June 1, 2020
128 people are currently reading
1589 people want to read
About the author
Glenna Marshall
10 books666 followersGlenna Marshall is married to her pastor, William, and lives in rural Southeast Missouri where she tries and fails to keep up with her two energetic sons. She is the author of The Promise is His Presence: Why God is Always Enough (P&R, 2019) and Everyday Faithfulness: The Beauty of Ordinary Perseverance in a Demanding World (Crossway, 2020).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
November 9, 2024
Timely. Like a sister linking arms and encouraging you forward, with eyes fixed on that which is lasting and wholly beautiful and true. Blessed by this book in many ways.
May 29, 2020
Faithfulness is an everyday calling. It's regular, it's ordinary, it's taking a really long view of the Christian life. It's reshaping our desires for immediate fruit and committing to following Jesus for the long haul. It's getting up every single day and believing that God is your treasure, that the gospel of Jesus is worth your every breath, and that he is enough. Faithfulness is doing this again tomorrow and the next day and 10 years from now.
Confronting your faith is healthy thing to do. Examine it. Is it weak, is it self-righteous? What do you base your faith on? Glenna Marshall takes faith as we apply it every day to every circumstances. Our faith determines our purpose and our hope. She opens up the text with the example of a farmer. We have to grow our faith with diligent work. Ignoring the weeds will only lead to despair and an overwhelming spirit. If that is you right now, do not lose heart. There is work to be done but it makes you stronger for all the right reasons.
The 9 chapters address faithfulness starting what is everyday faithfulness.
Faithful When You're Just Not Disciplined
Faithful When your hands are full
Faithful when you're waiting
Faithful when you doubt
Faithful when you're suffering
Faithful when your heart is cold
Faithful when you sin
Faithful to the end.
There will be times when you question your faith and ask where is God. Being faithful is for our good and sanctification. It is not a pie in the sky but it connects us to the heart of God with our questions, our doubt and pain. It is in obedience our faith grows. The first step in obedience is to look at the author of our faith. Another faith grower is the church and other Christians around you to encourage and walk with you.
The text is helpful in reminding that faith is what pleases God and why. Highly recommend.
A Special Thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Confronting your faith is healthy thing to do. Examine it. Is it weak, is it self-righteous? What do you base your faith on? Glenna Marshall takes faith as we apply it every day to every circumstances. Our faith determines our purpose and our hope. She opens up the text with the example of a farmer. We have to grow our faith with diligent work. Ignoring the weeds will only lead to despair and an overwhelming spirit. If that is you right now, do not lose heart. There is work to be done but it makes you stronger for all the right reasons.
The 9 chapters address faithfulness starting what is everyday faithfulness.
Faithful When You're Just Not Disciplined
Faithful When your hands are full
Faithful when you're waiting
Faithful when you doubt
Faithful when you're suffering
Faithful when your heart is cold
Faithful when you sin
Faithful to the end.
There will be times when you question your faith and ask where is God. Being faithful is for our good and sanctification. It is not a pie in the sky but it connects us to the heart of God with our questions, our doubt and pain. It is in obedience our faith grows. The first step in obedience is to look at the author of our faith. Another faith grower is the church and other Christians around you to encourage and walk with you.
The text is helpful in reminding that faith is what pleases God and why. Highly recommend.
A Special Thank you to Crossway Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
November 21, 2020
This was a very encouraging read that has motivated me to start keeping track of my Bible reading and to get up earlier to have more study time immersed in the word. If we are to say we are Christians there needs to be a difference from the old way of living to the new. This is a short and inspiring read. The fact we are living in covid times and do not have the church as we used to in the closeness in the body of Christ really struck me when reading this book. The book emphasizes how important the church is and I feel that this virus has tried to eat away at that. Also moving every few years for work keeps me from deep roots in a particular church so I lost that connection that she talked about when seeing people in the church grow and flourish or wither over the years. Overall a really good read and will help you to pick up your Bible again.
January 22, 2021
I really enjoyed this read! Each chapter reflects on an aspect of faithfulness and what that looks like practically, exampled by a little bio at the end of one of Glenna’s beloved people at the end of each chapter. (I’m very thankful to know a few of them myself and can definitely see the faithfulness exemplified in their lives!) The chapters are also able to stand alone but are even richer compiled together in a book! One of the things I love most about Glenna’s writing is that it saturated not only with references of solid theologians but with the Word of God, giving it the strongest credibility! Each chapter is brimming with scripture, enriching and edifying the reader, pointing them to what will help them be faithful, our Savior!
5/5
5/5
December 30, 2025
This book is basic and shallow, though it does contain a lot of truth. It's probably best for the average middle-class, American woman.
Marshall speaks in Christianese; ESV is the Bible translation she uses, and she repeats a lot of phrases from this and similar translations, rather than paraphrasing in a way that might make the message clearer to anyone who hasn't grown up in the church.
The writing is repetitive, wordy, predictable, and unmemorable. The book could have been a third of what it is without losing anything of value. Frustratingly, Marshall uses very vague examples, like someone who struggled “with a particular sin,” because apparently the specific sin was too taboo to state. But if these are the best examples one can come up with, perhaps it's best not to write a book and position oneself as an expert…
Included in the book are nine profiles of women Marshall knows personally who have been faithful to God throughout their lives. These mostly all read the same, and it didn't make much sense to include them all. Only one of the women featured was single-never-married. Which brings me to my next point…
While Marshall aims to address all women, the book is really geared toward other women like Marshall - those married with children. She does throw in a few comments about caring for elderly parents and people being widowed…there were maybe two sentences that mention “work,” presumably referring to paid work outside of the home. Perhaps some single, childless women will at least find Marshall’s addictions to Netflix and Amazon Prime relatable, but I don't.
While there is truth in the book, I feel like the Spirit is missing. My advice? Skip this book and just read the Bible instead.
Marshall speaks in Christianese; ESV is the Bible translation she uses, and she repeats a lot of phrases from this and similar translations, rather than paraphrasing in a way that might make the message clearer to anyone who hasn't grown up in the church.
The writing is repetitive, wordy, predictable, and unmemorable. The book could have been a third of what it is without losing anything of value. Frustratingly, Marshall uses very vague examples, like someone who struggled “with a particular sin,” because apparently the specific sin was too taboo to state. But if these are the best examples one can come up with, perhaps it's best not to write a book and position oneself as an expert…
Included in the book are nine profiles of women Marshall knows personally who have been faithful to God throughout their lives. These mostly all read the same, and it didn't make much sense to include them all. Only one of the women featured was single-never-married. Which brings me to my next point…
While Marshall aims to address all women, the book is really geared toward other women like Marshall - those married with children. She does throw in a few comments about caring for elderly parents and people being widowed…there were maybe two sentences that mention “work,” presumably referring to paid work outside of the home. Perhaps some single, childless women will at least find Marshall’s addictions to Netflix and Amazon Prime relatable, but I don't.
While there is truth in the book, I feel like the Spirit is missing. My advice? Skip this book and just read the Bible instead.
February 2, 2024
After adoring Memorizing Scripture, I had to read more from Marshall. I've definitely found a new favorite author!
As the title suggests, this book is dedicated to faithfulness. While a broad topic, the focus boils down to Bible reading, prayer, and chutch attendance/involvement. Although simple concepts, Marshall goes into detail on each, explaining the reasons for their importance and practical ways to build regular habits.
My favorite part was the inclusion in each chapter of a woman Marshall personally knows who displays everyday faithfulness. While reading accounts from/by faith heroes is always inspirational and beneficial, it was refreshing to see average women living for Christ. We all can't be Elisabeth Elliot or Corrie ten Boom; but we can cultivate habits of obedience to the Lord and let our lives reflect His life right where He's placed us.
Format: Audiobook via Hoopla
Rating: 5 stars
Book 17 of 2024
As the title suggests, this book is dedicated to faithfulness. While a broad topic, the focus boils down to Bible reading, prayer, and chutch attendance/involvement. Although simple concepts, Marshall goes into detail on each, explaining the reasons for their importance and practical ways to build regular habits.
My favorite part was the inclusion in each chapter of a woman Marshall personally knows who displays everyday faithfulness. While reading accounts from/by faith heroes is always inspirational and beneficial, it was refreshing to see average women living for Christ. We all can't be Elisabeth Elliot or Corrie ten Boom; but we can cultivate habits of obedience to the Lord and let our lives reflect His life right where He's placed us.
Format: Audiobook via Hoopla
Rating: 5 stars
Book 17 of 2024
July 28, 2021
I really really enjoyed this read! Each chapter reflects on an aspect of faithfulness and what that looks like practically. Each chapter is brimming with scripture, enriching and edifying !
In ‘Everyday Faithfulness: The Beauty of Ordinary Perseverance in a Demanding World’ Glenna reinforces the importance of building spiritual disciplines into your life that will aid you in knowing and enjoying Christ now so you’ll still be knowing and enjoying him five, ten, or fifty years from now.
She is careful to show the reader scripturally that their faith is a gift from God, their faithfulness to him is enabled by God through the Holy Spirit, and that He is faithful to keep the Christ-follower to the end. What a beautiful promise!
This book is highly encouraging to not only continue in ordinary, everyday faithfulness through practicing spiritual disciplines, but also highly motivating to repent in areas we have previously lacked discipline and desire.
It’s exactly what I needed to hear in this season of life!
In ‘Everyday Faithfulness: The Beauty of Ordinary Perseverance in a Demanding World’ Glenna reinforces the importance of building spiritual disciplines into your life that will aid you in knowing and enjoying Christ now so you’ll still be knowing and enjoying him five, ten, or fifty years from now.
She is careful to show the reader scripturally that their faith is a gift from God, their faithfulness to him is enabled by God through the Holy Spirit, and that He is faithful to keep the Christ-follower to the end. What a beautiful promise!
This book is highly encouraging to not only continue in ordinary, everyday faithfulness through practicing spiritual disciplines, but also highly motivating to repent in areas we have previously lacked discipline and desire.
It’s exactly what I needed to hear in this season of life!
March 4, 2025
An encouraging read about the importance of remaining faithful daily - to time spent in Scripture and prayer and with the church - in various seasons of life, such as times characterized by waiting, doubt, suffering, business, mundanity, and lack of discipline. I could see myself returning to this when I find myself in these seasons to be reminded of the benefits and blessings of everyday faithfulness!
July 5, 2021
"Faithfulness is your shield, & God's Word is your sword" (Ephesians 6:16-17).
July 31, 2020
Not only did the cover catch my eye (it’s even more beautiful up close!) but the title is what really drew me in because, let’s be honest, it is not easy to be consistent in everyday faithfulness.
I loved that Glenna was honest about the struggles of that from the start, including sharing her own difficulties and those of other everyday women she has had the pleasure of knowing. But she’s very clear that despite the difficulties, being in the word, praying, and being a part of a church community are needed to build endurance and persevere when things get hard.
Glenna takes each barrier to being consistently invested in these things and breaks it down using scripture and real life examples. She knows firsthand that busyness, suffering, seasons of spiritual dryness and more can make it difficult but she lays down the law that being rooted in the Word, our relationship with God and our community in the Church are what gets us through these rough spots.
I loved taking a chapter a day and praying about these areas of my life. This was a fantastic book that I would read again.
I loved that Glenna was honest about the struggles of that from the start, including sharing her own difficulties and those of other everyday women she has had the pleasure of knowing. But she’s very clear that despite the difficulties, being in the word, praying, and being a part of a church community are needed to build endurance and persevere when things get hard.
Glenna takes each barrier to being consistently invested in these things and breaks it down using scripture and real life examples. She knows firsthand that busyness, suffering, seasons of spiritual dryness and more can make it difficult but she lays down the law that being rooted in the Word, our relationship with God and our community in the Church are what gets us through these rough spots.
I loved taking a chapter a day and praying about these areas of my life. This was a fantastic book that I would read again.
July 11, 2024
I will be reading this book again and again. Filled with practical ways to develop faithfulness in spiritual disciplines. Thought-provoking, convicting yet encouraging and filled with grace. For women of any age.
Just finished second time through this book--looking forward to book discussion Sunday evening!
Just finished second time through this book--looking forward to book discussion Sunday evening!
February 8, 2021
What a treasure this book is. Planning to come back and edit this review with a few thoughts, when I can gather them.
Edit:
So this book is grand. A kind and practical sort of book, a book that gently but firmly points you back to Jesus.
It’s all about how to daily seek God in prayer, scripture reading, memorization, meditating, and church attendance without being legalistic. It’s so much more then “just pray more” but doesn’t seek other answers, because indeed praying more and seeking God is exactly how we get more of Him, even if sometimes we don’t feel like it or are having a spiritual dry spell.
I borrowed this book from someone dear to me in life, and two people before me had underlined and made notes in it and it added even more to this beautiful book.
This whole thing was such an encouragement and treasure, I highly recommend.
Now I’m going to settle down with a piece of sourdough discard banana bread I got from the authors IG stories!
(A few fav quotes I jotted down from chapter 6, if only I had done so for every chapter.)
“We know Gods purpose for us is to make us more like Jesus.”
“Open Gods word to the places that have ministered to you in the past and remember God has not changed even though your life has.”
“We do not need to know Gods plans to walk in peace. It should be enough to know Him.”
Edit:
So this book is grand. A kind and practical sort of book, a book that gently but firmly points you back to Jesus.
It’s all about how to daily seek God in prayer, scripture reading, memorization, meditating, and church attendance without being legalistic. It’s so much more then “just pray more” but doesn’t seek other answers, because indeed praying more and seeking God is exactly how we get more of Him, even if sometimes we don’t feel like it or are having a spiritual dry spell.
I borrowed this book from someone dear to me in life, and two people before me had underlined and made notes in it and it added even more to this beautiful book.
This whole thing was such an encouragement and treasure, I highly recommend.
Now I’m going to settle down with a piece of sourdough discard banana bread I got from the authors IG stories!
(A few fav quotes I jotted down from chapter 6, if only I had done so for every chapter.)
“We know Gods purpose for us is to make us more like Jesus.”
“Open Gods word to the places that have ministered to you in the past and remember God has not changed even though your life has.”
“We do not need to know Gods plans to walk in peace. It should be enough to know Him.”
April 19, 2023
I know everyone says audiobooks are the same as reading, but I may be the exception to the rule 😂 I fall asleep constantly or get so easily distracted so take my comments with a grain of salt - but wow I really enjoyed this book! This made me think of many aspects of life in relation to *faithfulness* which I guess just was not a primary focus or thought that I had. It made me think of things in light of being faithful despite emotions, circumstances, etc. It's raw and honest without being you know, too much. The author just kind of admits things that women don't normally admit to - it was very normalizing and incredibly convicting. I definitely recommend! Highly encouraging for women of all ages -not focused just on children or mothering.
August 13, 2020
*This is an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley. No review, positive or otherwise, was required—all opinions are my own.*
Excellent, Highly recommend. Exactly what I needed to hear in this season of life.
Biblical and practical application.
Table of Contents:
Faithful When You're Just Not Disciplined
Faithful When your hands are full
Faithful when you're waiting
Faithful when you doubt
Faithful when you're suffering
Faithful when your heart is cold
Faithful when you sin
Faithful to the end.
Excellent, Highly recommend. Exactly what I needed to hear in this season of life.
Biblical and practical application.
Table of Contents:
Faithful When You're Just Not Disciplined
Faithful When your hands are full
Faithful when you're waiting
Faithful when you doubt
Faithful when you're suffering
Faithful when your heart is cold
Faithful when you sin
Faithful to the end.
February 14, 2023
Really good book on striving for everyday faithfulness. Glenna Marshall is clear and well-organized in her writing, and in addition to being personable and readable she also cites lots of Scripture and works from other Christian authors. Her sections were helpful categories to think through and convicting. Would recommend for a Christian woman who needs a reminder that faithfulness isn't necessarily glamorous, but can look like everyday simple repeated acts of reading God's word, prayer, and gathering of the saints.
February 2, 2024
Practical, attainable and relatable. This was an encouraging read for my current season of life. She dives deep into what perseverance looks like in the Christian faith. This wasn’t the Glenna Marshall book I was originally trying to read (Her book Memorizing Scripture was) but I’m so glad I stumbled upon this one.
May 28, 2025
I truly enjoyed the book! There’s a simple formula to everyday faithfulness: read your bible, pray, and fellowship. Marshall’s examples at the end of each chapter are encouraging and a perfect reminder that the Lord preserves us as we persevere. The book is a great reminder of our call to be faithful in every season of life.
August 30, 2022
Wow. Sooo good!!
February 2, 2024
I’m ending this book so encouraged to press on in everyday faithfulness in all areas and seasons of life
July 13, 2025
Might be my new favorite book to recommend if you need a kick in the butt to get back into spiritual disciplines. An easy read that I might re-read once a year.
March 1, 2026
5 glowing stars!!! Helpful & encouraging. Chapter 3 alone is worth the read.
January 5, 2021
Perfect way to start the new year! Very encouraging and applicable.
March 31, 2025
“This is everyday faithfulness.
When obedience becomes more and more a default response, you will be well equipped to press forward when your heart feels like it’s lagging several steps behind you. Joy will return (see psalms 30:5)— maybe not on your timetable, but it will return. In the meantime, you’ll be watering the field of your faithfulness while you watch and wait for rain.”
When obedience becomes more and more a default response, you will be well equipped to press forward when your heart feels like it’s lagging several steps behind you. Joy will return (see psalms 30:5)— maybe not on your timetable, but it will return. In the meantime, you’ll be watering the field of your faithfulness while you watch and wait for rain.”
July 11, 2025
Loved this book! Broke down faithfulness in various areas of our lives and how to persevere, despite suffering, sin, etc.
August 13, 2025
It was good. Much like its title, it wasn’t flashy, just a reminder to keep persevering in our relationship with God and with others. As I get older, I see more and more how God is glorified and his beauty is displayed in simply loving and serving the people he places around us.
November 6, 2020
This is such a good book about being a faithful Christian on ordinary days. I highly recommend it.
April 10, 2023
Good book! Not super novel or groundbreaking, but solid and one I may revisit in future years. I especially loved her comments about the church in the last chapter.
February 24, 2026
Glenna Marshall’s strength in writing is her commitment to proclaim the gospel and center her words on Christ—as well as her ability to articulate such personal and transparent accounts, yet be simultaneously applicable to the reader. In Everyday Faithfulness: The Beauty of Ordinary Perseverance in a Demanding World, Glenna reinforces the importance of building spiritual disciplines “into your life that will aid you in knowing and enjoying Christ now so you’ll still be knowing and enjoying him” five, ten, fifty years from now (29).
“Small, ordinary decisions made every day to love Jesus more, to look at him more, to cling a little tighter to him today than we did yesterday—these are the ordinary steps down the path of lifelong faithfulness” (149).
Glenna is careful to show the reader scripturally that their faith is a gift from God, their faithfulness to him is enabled by God through the Holy Spirit, and that he is faithful to keep the Christ-follower to the end. What a beautiful promise!
Throughout the book, she weaves the essential nature of spiritual disciplines for the believer: regular bible reading, continuous prayer, and commitment to meeting with your local body of believers. This book is highly encouraging to not only continue in ordinary, everyday faithfulness through practicing spiritual disciplines, but also highly motivating to repent in areas we have previously lacked discipline and desire. One unique part of this book is that at the end of each chapter, Glenna has included a short blurb of ordinary, faithful women from her real life—another encouraging display of perseverance even in the midst of trials, hurt, sin, busyness, struggles, doubt, suffering, and apathy.
I am so glad I read this book. I have already started incorporating regular scripture memory (a discipline in which I have been chronically negligent and full of excuses) and have been shocked at how unspectacular the work of this discipline is, but how remarkable and rich is the return. I hope you read this book and are stirred to joyfully chase after Christ more diligently and thoughtfully despite any circumstances that God uses to conform you more to the image of Christ.
“If we abandon spiritual disciplines because the work of plodding seems daunting, boring, or too slow, we miss the joy that comes through perseverance” (120-1).
“Small, ordinary decisions made every day to love Jesus more, to look at him more, to cling a little tighter to him today than we did yesterday—these are the ordinary steps down the path of lifelong faithfulness” (149).
Glenna is careful to show the reader scripturally that their faith is a gift from God, their faithfulness to him is enabled by God through the Holy Spirit, and that he is faithful to keep the Christ-follower to the end. What a beautiful promise!
Throughout the book, she weaves the essential nature of spiritual disciplines for the believer: regular bible reading, continuous prayer, and commitment to meeting with your local body of believers. This book is highly encouraging to not only continue in ordinary, everyday faithfulness through practicing spiritual disciplines, but also highly motivating to repent in areas we have previously lacked discipline and desire. One unique part of this book is that at the end of each chapter, Glenna has included a short blurb of ordinary, faithful women from her real life—another encouraging display of perseverance even in the midst of trials, hurt, sin, busyness, struggles, doubt, suffering, and apathy.
I am so glad I read this book. I have already started incorporating regular scripture memory (a discipline in which I have been chronically negligent and full of excuses) and have been shocked at how unspectacular the work of this discipline is, but how remarkable and rich is the return. I hope you read this book and are stirred to joyfully chase after Christ more diligently and thoughtfully despite any circumstances that God uses to conform you more to the image of Christ.
“If we abandon spiritual disciplines because the work of plodding seems daunting, boring, or too slow, we miss the joy that comes through perseverance” (120-1).
July 23, 2021
This was such a great book. I wish I had been able to read it a few years ago, during the hardest teen years, but I am so thankful it was published now! I listened to the audiobook, but I look forward to purchasing a physical copy eventually to underline in and re-read for many years to come.
January 12, 2024
2 ⭐️ The content of this book is such a needed reminder of the importance of consistency and faithful dedication in your spiritual life. However, as a book and the writing it was not great. The audiobook narrator made it feel so cheesy and unrelatable. 👎🏼
Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews