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Help for the Hungry Soul: Eight Encouragements to Grow Your Appetite for God's Word
Encouragement to Treasure the Bible and Grow in Your Desire for God's Life-Giving Word
In our never-satisfied world, our souls hunger for more, and it's tempting to reach for the wrong "food" to satisfy our needs. Thankfully, God offers a life-giving and sustainable feast through Scripture. But how often do we sit at Christ's table, truly hungry for his word?
Help for the Hungry Soul offers 8 encouragements to spur an appetite for God's word. Each chapter includes interactive elements such as reflection questions, practical activities, and anecdotal testimonies that allow readers to reflect on their journey with their Bible and uncover why they should treasure God's word. For those feeling discouraged or guilty about a waning desire for Scripture, author Kristen Wetherell will spark excitement in their spiritual life--ultimately encouraging them to put God and his word at the center of it all.
Encourages Readers to Love God's word: Teaches why readers should treasure the Bible to spark enthusiasm for reading Scripture Interactive Elements: This practical book provides reflection questions, habit trackers, and scriptural interaction to spur appetite for the word Contains Anecdotal Stories: Each chapter ends with an individual's unique testimony related to their personal journey with the Bible
In our never-satisfied world, our souls hunger for more, and it's tempting to reach for the wrong "food" to satisfy our needs. Thankfully, God offers a life-giving and sustainable feast through Scripture. But how often do we sit at Christ's table, truly hungry for his word?
Help for the Hungry Soul offers 8 encouragements to spur an appetite for God's word. Each chapter includes interactive elements such as reflection questions, practical activities, and anecdotal testimonies that allow readers to reflect on their journey with their Bible and uncover why they should treasure God's word. For those feeling discouraged or guilty about a waning desire for Scripture, author Kristen Wetherell will spark excitement in their spiritual life--ultimately encouraging them to put God and his word at the center of it all.
Encourages Readers to Love God's word: Teaches why readers should treasure the Bible to spark enthusiasm for reading Scripture Interactive Elements: This practical book provides reflection questions, habit trackers, and scriptural interaction to spur appetite for the word Contains Anecdotal Stories: Each chapter ends with an individual's unique testimony related to their personal journey with the Bible
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2023
44 people are currently reading
956 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
October 7, 2023
I love books that push us to open God’s Word. That’s what this book is—a gentle nudge to take up and read no matter how far behind you might feel or how cold your heart. No guilt, just encouragement.
Author to reader, I have to tell you that this book is great companion to Everyday Faithfulness. 😉
Author to reader, I have to tell you that this book is great companion to Everyday Faithfulness. 😉
January 29, 2024
This highly accessible, practical book would enrich the life of any Christian. Whether you have been walking with the Lord for decades, or are newly growing in your faith and engagement with His word, this book with open your eyes to the beauty of the Scripture and awaken your awareness of your hunger for it.
Through the metaphor of Feasting & Feeding, Kristen Wetherell uses this book to help you understand the WHY behind coming to the Word and the deep grace-filled nourishment we find there. She does this by answering a couple key question: “Why should I love scripture?” & “How is it possible for me to desire it again?” Each chapter is bolstered by personal testimonies from a diverse group of individuals that speak of the life-giving of the Bible and the power of the Spirit to create desire & fulfill it.
“No book can do what only God can in the human heart. Only he can increase our appetite for his words through his word. So we put ourselves in the position to receive from him, again and again.”
I especially loved the chapter on the value of “feasting” with the church, as well as the encouragement & permission to get creative and try something new with your Bible Study if it has started to feel tasteless.
Through the metaphor of Feasting & Feeding, Kristen Wetherell uses this book to help you understand the WHY behind coming to the Word and the deep grace-filled nourishment we find there. She does this by answering a couple key question: “Why should I love scripture?” & “How is it possible for me to desire it again?” Each chapter is bolstered by personal testimonies from a diverse group of individuals that speak of the life-giving of the Bible and the power of the Spirit to create desire & fulfill it.
“No book can do what only God can in the human heart. Only he can increase our appetite for his words through his word. So we put ourselves in the position to receive from him, again and again.”
I especially loved the chapter on the value of “feasting” with the church, as well as the encouragement & permission to get creative and try something new with your Bible Study if it has started to feel tasteless.
August 16, 2023
{Full review posted here:https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/he...}
Appetites change.
When my kids are in the midst of a growth spurt, they out-eat me at mealtimes and constantly hunt for food; their appetite is voracious.
Other times they're more picky and don't feel like eating what's provided, nibbling here and there.
Whatever their appetite, though, their bodies still require nourishment.
In the same way, our spiritual lives need sustenance. We feed on the Word of God moving from milk to solid food as we grow in maturity. If we're honest, sometimes we can be like my picky eaters with a diminished appetite, pushing our meals away, only taking small, careless bites.
Our spiritual hunger, however, can grow. Just like the picky-eater suddenly feels "so hungry" when presented with a sweet treat, our longing for God's Word intensifies as we find satisfaction in it's sweetness. We can find help for our hungry souls.
So, here's the question:
"How would you describe your current appetite for God's Word?"
Let's take a look at Kristen Wetherell's upcoming release, Help for the Hungry Soul: Eight Encouragements to Grow Your Appetite for God's Word to help you answer the question and some encouragement along the way.
If you’re struggling to read your Bible, this resource is written with you in mind. There are no judgements or shaming, it’s an honest look at a discipline we want to do more of and better. Reading this book is like having a coffee with a friend.
For those who already have a regular habit established, let’s be honest, sometimes it’s hard to relate with those who do. In my time with the author, I grew more compassionate and less judgemental, realizing we all hunger after our Saviour.
Quick Stats
# of Pages: 176
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars
Appetites change.
When my kids are in the midst of a growth spurt, they out-eat me at mealtimes and constantly hunt for food; their appetite is voracious.
Other times they're more picky and don't feel like eating what's provided, nibbling here and there.
Whatever their appetite, though, their bodies still require nourishment.
In the same way, our spiritual lives need sustenance. We feed on the Word of God moving from milk to solid food as we grow in maturity. If we're honest, sometimes we can be like my picky eaters with a diminished appetite, pushing our meals away, only taking small, careless bites.
Our spiritual hunger, however, can grow. Just like the picky-eater suddenly feels "so hungry" when presented with a sweet treat, our longing for God's Word intensifies as we find satisfaction in it's sweetness. We can find help for our hungry souls.
So, here's the question:
"How would you describe your current appetite for God's Word?"
Let's take a look at Kristen Wetherell's upcoming release, Help for the Hungry Soul: Eight Encouragements to Grow Your Appetite for God's Word to help you answer the question and some encouragement along the way.
If you’re struggling to read your Bible, this resource is written with you in mind. There are no judgements or shaming, it’s an honest look at a discipline we want to do more of and better. Reading this book is like having a coffee with a friend.
For those who already have a regular habit established, let’s be honest, sometimes it’s hard to relate with those who do. In my time with the author, I grew more compassionate and less judgemental, realizing we all hunger after our Saviour.
Quick Stats
# of Pages: 176
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars
September 17, 2023
Help for the Hungry Soul by Kristen Wetherell is an inspiring read if you need some renewed motivation to read your Bible.
January 29, 2024
What a treat this book was! Truly, such a great read!
I highly recommend everyone to read this book- no matter your season! You could be a strong believer of a baby Christian & still glean from the wisdom here in this book!
I love how she wrote about how we ALL come to a place where Bible time feels more like a chore and less enjoyable. While we hope that is never the case, rest assured, the Lord still wants us to draw near to him!
I found this book very practical, easy to read and understand. If you’re busy or not, it will be a sweet book to read this year!
Few little notes:
Short chapters
Really easy to follow and understand!
Actually a pretty short and small book!
Pratical
What this book is:
Encouragement on WHY Bible reading is enjoyable & how to look at it with eyes that will enjoy it!
The importance of praying
The importance of reading the Bible as a church
How to get started in reading your Bible (some ideas)
What this book is not:
“A how to” read your Bible.
Step by step plan on what to read
I highly recommend everyone to read this book- no matter your season! You could be a strong believer of a baby Christian & still glean from the wisdom here in this book!
I love how she wrote about how we ALL come to a place where Bible time feels more like a chore and less enjoyable. While we hope that is never the case, rest assured, the Lord still wants us to draw near to him!
I found this book very practical, easy to read and understand. If you’re busy or not, it will be a sweet book to read this year!
Few little notes:
Short chapters
Really easy to follow and understand!
Actually a pretty short and small book!
Pratical
What this book is:
Encouragement on WHY Bible reading is enjoyable & how to look at it with eyes that will enjoy it!
The importance of praying
The importance of reading the Bible as a church
How to get started in reading your Bible (some ideas)
What this book is not:
“A how to” read your Bible.
Step by step plan on what to read
August 28, 2023
Donald Whitney writes that “Nothing can make us hungry for Scripture more than Scripture itself.” Jesus likewise tells us that He is the bread of life and living water and those who believe in Him will never hunger or thirst.
Chapter after chapter of “Help for the Hungry Soul: Eight Encouragements to Grow Your Appetite for God’s Word” stirs us to hunger for God’s Word like a feast of the most nutritious and delicious foods. Author Kristen Wetherell beckons us not to starve our souls of God’s life-giving nourishment, but to partake deeply and grow in desire for Him and the Scriptures that point to Him.
This book details the “why” of Bible reading, each chapter concluding with a section of helpful prompts or exercises and accounts from others to inspire us to stay in it for the long haul.
I loved how Chapter 2 touched on praying the Scriptures and gave examples to encourage us in doing so. Chapter 5’s mention of quiet time (and how it’s not exactly commanded in the Bible) was also a highlight.
Likewise, I took notes on a handful of sections that I felt would especially fuel my hunger for the Word:
“The whole Bible points to Jesus, for He is the point of the whole Bible . . . And if we miss Jesus, we miss the whole point.”
“Churches feast on God's Word during a worship service through at least four means: singing it, praying it, reading it, and hearing it preached.”
“Scripture does not provide an escape from reality, but enters right into it.”
It is through meeting God in the Bible that our hunger for Him and His Word will grow. If you want a book to help encourage you in that hunger, I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Crossway for sending this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Chapter after chapter of “Help for the Hungry Soul: Eight Encouragements to Grow Your Appetite for God’s Word” stirs us to hunger for God’s Word like a feast of the most nutritious and delicious foods. Author Kristen Wetherell beckons us not to starve our souls of God’s life-giving nourishment, but to partake deeply and grow in desire for Him and the Scriptures that point to Him.
This book details the “why” of Bible reading, each chapter concluding with a section of helpful prompts or exercises and accounts from others to inspire us to stay in it for the long haul.
I loved how Chapter 2 touched on praying the Scriptures and gave examples to encourage us in doing so. Chapter 5’s mention of quiet time (and how it’s not exactly commanded in the Bible) was also a highlight.
Likewise, I took notes on a handful of sections that I felt would especially fuel my hunger for the Word:
“The whole Bible points to Jesus, for He is the point of the whole Bible . . . And if we miss Jesus, we miss the whole point.”
“Churches feast on God's Word during a worship service through at least four means: singing it, praying it, reading it, and hearing it preached.”
“Scripture does not provide an escape from reality, but enters right into it.”
It is through meeting God in the Bible that our hunger for Him and His Word will grow. If you want a book to help encourage you in that hunger, I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Crossway for sending this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 11, 2023
“From the garden throughout the generations, God's word has told us the tale of the human soul: our wholehearted hunger for the Creator, our terrible plunge into starvation, and our countless attempts to fix and fill ourselves with anything but true bread. We are in the wilderness, indeed.
“But here's the good news: God's word is for the wilderness, for those not yet home.”
WHEW, I needed this book! It lived up to its title and subtitle—after closing it for the last time, I left feeling extremely encouraged!
In Help for the Hungry Soul, Kristen Wetherall helps the reader understand why we may not have an an appetite for God’s Word, why we need to seek the Lord to increase it, and why we need to continually come to the text—even when we don’t want to.
Throughout the book, she give eight encouragements to help us grow our hunger for the Word!
One thing I loved about this book is how it brought renewed interest and wonder to the Word. Because it’s so easily accessible and seemingly familiar, we can come to it with less enthusiasm. Kristen reminds us of the privilege we have to be able to open God’s Word daily and read His words to us.
I also loved that she dealt with the guilt we often feel about not reading the Word like we believe we should. She called this out as false (in most cases) and invited us to consider other “creative (and biblical!) ways of nourishing our souls with [Scripture].”
This was a really refreshing and timely read for me! I absolutely loved it and encourage y’all to give it a read—especially if you need to be encouraged in your Bible reading!
“But here's the good news: God's word is for the wilderness, for those not yet home.”
WHEW, I needed this book! It lived up to its title and subtitle—after closing it for the last time, I left feeling extremely encouraged!
In Help for the Hungry Soul, Kristen Wetherall helps the reader understand why we may not have an an appetite for God’s Word, why we need to seek the Lord to increase it, and why we need to continually come to the text—even when we don’t want to.
Throughout the book, she give eight encouragements to help us grow our hunger for the Word!
One thing I loved about this book is how it brought renewed interest and wonder to the Word. Because it’s so easily accessible and seemingly familiar, we can come to it with less enthusiasm. Kristen reminds us of the privilege we have to be able to open God’s Word daily and read His words to us.
I also loved that she dealt with the guilt we often feel about not reading the Word like we believe we should. She called this out as false (in most cases) and invited us to consider other “creative (and biblical!) ways of nourishing our souls with [Scripture].”
This was a really refreshing and timely read for me! I absolutely loved it and encourage y’all to give it a read—especially if you need to be encouraged in your Bible reading!
January 23, 2024
This book is a great reminder to slow down and feast on his word as Jani Ortlund from Renewal Ministries comments in the Foreward section.
“Is it possible to come to the word, but not to come to the word.”
We may have a good habit of reading our bible daily but where is our heart? Is it to check the box we read the bible for the day? This book helps us to do a heart check!
I highly recommend this book to help renew your heart to hunger for our Lord and Savior!
“Is it possible to come to the word, but not to come to the word.”
We may have a good habit of reading our bible daily but where is our heart? Is it to check the box we read the bible for the day? This book helps us to do a heart check!
I highly recommend this book to help renew your heart to hunger for our Lord and Savior!
September 6, 2023
“The point of our Scripture intake, then, isn’t to complete a process, attain a proficiency, or fix our problems, but to meet an actual person—truly, to encounter the risen Christ. Only then, as we encounter Jesus, will our appetite for him grow.” -Kristen Wetherell 🍊
Have you ever known that you should read the Bible, but you just don’t have a hunger for it? If so, you should check out Kristen Wetherell’s new book, Help for the Hungry Soul. In Help for the Hungry Soul, Kristen offers eight biblical encouragements for growing your appetite for God’s Word. She reminds readers that the purpose of Bible reading is to know Jesus more and that having a Bible is truly a privilege that should not be taken for granted. At the end of every chapter, Kristen includes testimonies from everyday believers like you and me who share how they have grown in the hunger for God’s Word. Plus, she includes reflection questions and resources for those who want to dive deeper. If you’ve been wanting to grow your hunger for Scripture, pick up a copy of Help for the Hungry Soul by Kristen Wetherell today!💙
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A big thank you to Crossway for sending me a copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.
Have you ever known that you should read the Bible, but you just don’t have a hunger for it? If so, you should check out Kristen Wetherell’s new book, Help for the Hungry Soul. In Help for the Hungry Soul, Kristen offers eight biblical encouragements for growing your appetite for God’s Word. She reminds readers that the purpose of Bible reading is to know Jesus more and that having a Bible is truly a privilege that should not be taken for granted. At the end of every chapter, Kristen includes testimonies from everyday believers like you and me who share how they have grown in the hunger for God’s Word. Plus, she includes reflection questions and resources for those who want to dive deeper. If you’ve been wanting to grow your hunger for Scripture, pick up a copy of Help for the Hungry Soul by Kristen Wetherell today!💙
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A big thank you to Crossway for sending me a copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.
August 26, 2023
Help for the Hungry Soul was a short read, but one I really enjoyed. I found myself taking highlights and writing down other resources to check out.
I liked the stories from other people at the end of each chapter - they were interesting to read and it was nice to see how they grew in their desire for God's Word.
All in all, Help for the Hungry Soul was worth the read. I liked how it was an easy read, but did have some depth.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
I liked the stories from other people at the end of each chapter - they were interesting to read and it was nice to see how they grew in their desire for God's Word.
All in all, Help for the Hungry Soul was worth the read. I liked how it was an easy read, but did have some depth.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
July 9, 2024
Do you know those kinds of books meant to encourage you to read the Bible more but leave you even more guilt-ridden and down? This book isn't it! How refreshing to find a book that encourages you along the way, and gives you practical tips on where to start reading, how to keep going and what to do when you're stuck or don't have an appetite for the Word. Even more so, you'll find some prayers to plead for hunger for the Bible, loads of practical tools and suggestions on where to start if you've been a believer for 5 minutes of 50 years. I thoroughly recommend this book. The chapter on meditation and the "formula" for meditating was unique and something I might put into practice. I don't agree with what she says about the church being our main Bible intake but that's of little importance in the grand scheme of things. I took loads of notes from this book, you might as well.
July 7, 2024
This book was a pretty quick read - good for those who are either faithfully reading scripture but feel like their time is stale and they need to change up their routine or for someone who is struggling to desire to be in God's word. The author has lots of practical tips and encouragement!
August 23, 2024
Highly recommend reading this book - whether you're someone who struggles finding time for God's word or if you're someone who's already daily digging into scripture. Very practical and also very convicting of the privilege it is to read God's word!
January 19, 2024
This book was simple and easy to understand but still so encouraging! I think the part I found most helpful was her section on mediation (starting page 87). She references a recommendation from Don Whitney that I have started to practice and have found really helpful in my daily study of scripture. I definitely recommend reading because I think everyone can find a helpful tidbit in this book!
February 10, 2024
Loved this book! It was like a breath of fresh air. Very rich in scripture and a nice reminder of what a blessing it is to have God’s word in our lives. Also, liked that it touched on how us being in the word can be a blessing to others around us as we learn to love more like Jesus.
April 11, 2024
Help for the Hungry Soul is a short, sweet, and solid book of encouragement for growing your appetite for God's word. While I didn't find the information to be groundbreaking, I did appreciate the scripture-based insight and reminders Kristen shared. This is not a "how-to" manual. While ideas of how to take practical steps towards satisfying your spiritual hunger are mentioned, the book (as marketed) is filled with encouragements. Kristen helps readers to see that they are not alone in their longing for connection with God through His word, but also in struggling to be obedient and take the time to be present there.
Chapter 2: Plead for a Holy Hunger stood out to me the most. Kristen states, "...in order for his Spirit to work through his words, we need to actually engage with those words." She says, "We are dependent on the Redeemer of our hearts to change our very desires, to give us the ability to want what we ought to want and to love what he loves. We are helpless to produce this change on our own. Day by day, we need him to alter our appetite." And this helplessness that we embody humbles us. "Humility is the pathway to satisfied hunger, for it confesses its inability to find satisfaction anywhere else but in God." And as we well know, the Lord draws near to the humble and contrite in Spirit (Isaiah 66:2, Isaiah 57:15).
That reminder alone was all the encouragement I needed from this book! Thank you to Crossway for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
Chapter 2: Plead for a Holy Hunger stood out to me the most. Kristen states, "...in order for his Spirit to work through his words, we need to actually engage with those words." She says, "We are dependent on the Redeemer of our hearts to change our very desires, to give us the ability to want what we ought to want and to love what he loves. We are helpless to produce this change on our own. Day by day, we need him to alter our appetite." And this helplessness that we embody humbles us. "Humility is the pathway to satisfied hunger, for it confesses its inability to find satisfaction anywhere else but in God." And as we well know, the Lord draws near to the humble and contrite in Spirit (Isaiah 66:2, Isaiah 57:15).
That reminder alone was all the encouragement I needed from this book! Thank you to Crossway for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2024
This little book packed a punch! I loved the short practical chapters that ended with challenge questions and testimony from those who struggled and applied the truths in the chapter. This book really changed how I view my time with God - the biggest take always are even small moments count, ask God for help, and be adaptive and accountable while still applying grace. If you are looking to learn how to study God’s word, or you are a seasoned believer, crack this one open because I promise you it will drive you into your Bible, just like it did for me! Thank you for Kristen for writing a real and honest and practical book about what it truly means to feast on God’s word and promises. I loved every second of it!!!!
December 7, 2024
I read this with a group of gals at church, and it was an encouragement to all of us! Chapter 5 was pretty controversial as she tried to rank church as more important that quiet times. “As long as you are going to church, you don’t have to beat yourself up that you aren’t being a Christian.” Her goal was to help those people who are guilted into quiet times but continued to say that church should fuel your desire for God’s Word. We enjoyed discussing this!
Overall though, it was basic in writing and principles! But as always it was refreshing to be pointed back to the simple importance of being daily in God’s Word.
I got back into journaling a verse and prayer for my qt because she described it as one of the best ways to meditate and meditation brings growth!
Overall though, it was basic in writing and principles! But as always it was refreshing to be pointed back to the simple importance of being daily in God’s Word.
I got back into journaling a verse and prayer for my qt because she described it as one of the best ways to meditate and meditation brings growth!
July 19, 2025
I liked the perspective of looking at how our physical bodies need well rounded meals for proper nutrition (instead of nibbling on food throughout the day) and reflecting on how I am engaging with God’s Word as my primary spiritual meal. We are reminded that we can feast on God’s Word through singing (Col. 3:16). I love how we can creatively awaken our hearts through meditation using the acronym TASTE.
T - think about it: choose a key Bible verse
A- ask questions: Who was it written to and why? What does it tell you about God? Yourself? The Church? The World? The Spiritual realm?
S- seek Jesus
T - take away truth
E - enjoy God
T - think about it: choose a key Bible verse
A- ask questions: Who was it written to and why? What does it tell you about God? Yourself? The Church? The World? The Spiritual realm?
S- seek Jesus
T - take away truth
E - enjoy God
January 24, 2024
Sooooo sooo good!!! Highly recommend this for any Christian, but especially those who feel like they are in a season of dryness and need some help getting excited about their Bible reading again.
I especially LOVED the chapter about feasting on the word at church each week WITH your church family. That just drives home the point about how important belonging to a local church body really is!
Read this book asap… you won’t regret it!!
I especially LOVED the chapter about feasting on the word at church each week WITH your church family. That just drives home the point about how important belonging to a local church body really is!
Read this book asap… you won’t regret it!!
October 20, 2023
A clear and compelling pep-talk for your soul about loving God's Word and making it a central part of your life. I listened to the audiobook and thought Aimee Lilly did an exceptional job delivering the content.
We attend the same church as Kristen, and it was fun to hear testimonies from several people we know scattered throughout the book.
We attend the same church as Kristen, and it was fun to hear testimonies from several people we know scattered throughout the book.
January 23, 2024
Overall very insightful and encouraging..felt a little dry here and there but full of scripture and truth and practical wisdom regarding digging into and feasting on God’s word. Would recommend to a friend.
January 25, 2024
4.5 stars. The encouragements in this little book were rooted in Scripture and gave fresh insights into my own tendencies. A helpful and hopeful book for Christians to read when they’re struggling with being in the Word daily.
August 4, 2025
This was so well written, easy to read and hit me right where I needed it most. Will definitely be reading again.
July 14, 2023
In Help for a Hungry Heart, Kristen seeks to help the reader identify what a hunger for God’s word feels like and then seeks to encourage you to go to the only place that can satisfy that longing. The book is set up in a format that would be great for a ladies book club or a study group. There are 8 chapters and an introduction which fits nicely into a semester reading plan. Each chapter is followed by a question and answer and a personal testimony from a believer.
My personal opinions— firstly, I’m honestly not sure who the intended audience is here. Is it everyone? Seasoned Christians? Young in the faith Christians? Women alone? Moms? New moms? Veteran mamas? This message might have packed more of a punch to everyone if we zeroed in on who exactly is the intended audience. For instance, the testimonies were from all over the spectrum, men, women, young, old, etc. and there isn’t a thing in the world wrong with that, but she references new motherhood several times and talks about parenting littles— and the challenges facing mothers of littles getting into the word are a bit different than a middle aged deacon. If the book was written to mothers specifically, I don’t think the message would have been lost to all anymore than Paul’s message to the Ephesians is not lost on us even though that letter was very specific to that congregation.
The section on privilege missed the mark for me. “Because we are privileged, we ought to or we should do more of…”
I don’t disagree that we are privileged with accesses to the Bible and learning more than in times past, but this argument doesn’t encourage, the net result inspires guilt. And for a sleep deprived new mom, this would have sent me deeper into a depression because I ought to and yet I couldn’t. In seasons of plenty when we recognize we have plenty, it’s good to reflect on that privilege, but when you’re in the pits in deep need of encouragement, telling someone they have it better than someone else so they should be grateful is not at all helpful.
I was encouraged how she spoke of the church as a place where we can sing God’s word and hear it being preached and recite it. This chapter was one of the most encouraging in my opinion. It really helps a sleep deprived mama to know that it all counts. It’s encouraging when you’re in the trenches to know that we are not forsaken in that season even if we don’t have time to devote to much more than caring for our physical needs… But on the note about singing, it cautions the reader that not all songs are about God and we should make every effort to be aware- in the very next section she talks very lovingly of the pastor working diligently and faithfully to prepare the message (and as a pastors wife, I understand she has a first hand view of this), but unfortunately, not even all pastors make the message about God, they, like the songs she cautions us away from make the message about themselves and building their kingdoms. There was no footnote cautioning believers into being aware of their pastors messages. The truth is, we need God’s word to be able to help us discern truth from lies in song, in teaching, in preaching, and in every aspect of life.
I appreciated the section about creatively feeding on the word of God- many of those tips felt more practical to help growing an appetite.
I can see the intentions in the book and I applaud them. Identifying what spiritual hunger is so that you can recognize and feed it with the word of God is a needed skillset. Ultimately though, this book missed the mark for me.
I’d like to thank Crossway and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My personal opinions— firstly, I’m honestly not sure who the intended audience is here. Is it everyone? Seasoned Christians? Young in the faith Christians? Women alone? Moms? New moms? Veteran mamas? This message might have packed more of a punch to everyone if we zeroed in on who exactly is the intended audience. For instance, the testimonies were from all over the spectrum, men, women, young, old, etc. and there isn’t a thing in the world wrong with that, but she references new motherhood several times and talks about parenting littles— and the challenges facing mothers of littles getting into the word are a bit different than a middle aged deacon. If the book was written to mothers specifically, I don’t think the message would have been lost to all anymore than Paul’s message to the Ephesians is not lost on us even though that letter was very specific to that congregation.
The section on privilege missed the mark for me. “Because we are privileged, we ought to or we should do more of…”
I don’t disagree that we are privileged with accesses to the Bible and learning more than in times past, but this argument doesn’t encourage, the net result inspires guilt. And for a sleep deprived new mom, this would have sent me deeper into a depression because I ought to and yet I couldn’t. In seasons of plenty when we recognize we have plenty, it’s good to reflect on that privilege, but when you’re in the pits in deep need of encouragement, telling someone they have it better than someone else so they should be grateful is not at all helpful.
I was encouraged how she spoke of the church as a place where we can sing God’s word and hear it being preached and recite it. This chapter was one of the most encouraging in my opinion. It really helps a sleep deprived mama to know that it all counts. It’s encouraging when you’re in the trenches to know that we are not forsaken in that season even if we don’t have time to devote to much more than caring for our physical needs… But on the note about singing, it cautions the reader that not all songs are about God and we should make every effort to be aware- in the very next section she talks very lovingly of the pastor working diligently and faithfully to prepare the message (and as a pastors wife, I understand she has a first hand view of this), but unfortunately, not even all pastors make the message about God, they, like the songs she cautions us away from make the message about themselves and building their kingdoms. There was no footnote cautioning believers into being aware of their pastors messages. The truth is, we need God’s word to be able to help us discern truth from lies in song, in teaching, in preaching, and in every aspect of life.
I appreciated the section about creatively feeding on the word of God- many of those tips felt more practical to help growing an appetite.
I can see the intentions in the book and I applaud them. Identifying what spiritual hunger is so that you can recognize and feed it with the word of God is a needed skillset. Ultimately though, this book missed the mark for me.
I’d like to thank Crossway and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 22, 2024
Great book. Encouraging, helped me see things from another perspective, and thought provoking. This girl needed some encouragement in this category! Highly recommend.
March 5, 2025
While there was nothing really new to me here, I still found this book an encouragement to my soul to hunger after God's word.
September 4, 2023
I have loved every page of this book. It seeks to encourage believers to stir our affections for Bible reading and gives practical encouragement for growing your love for God's Word. Each chapter I've read has made me want to pick up my Bible. I believe this will benefit both seasoned Bible readers and new believers alike!
March 17, 2024
Nothing groundbreaking but still some good principles. Had to look past all her male pronouns anytime she referred to a pastor.
January 14, 2025
What a refreshing and helpful book that is full of encouragement and stirs your heart to be fed by God's Word without the guilt of legalism. We are to feed our hungry hearts with the truth that only comes from God's Word because ! Wetherall also includes practical tips for getting into the discipline of reading, studying, memorizing and meditating on God's word as well as a further study book list.
I appreciated the reminder of the importance of the body of christ and fellowship with other believers as well in our growth in the Lord.
I appreciated the reminder of the importance of the body of christ and fellowship with other believers as well in our growth in the Lord.
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