Everyone has a dream of doing something or starting something that will have a big impact on the world. Many times, it doesn’t get passed wanting to be a super hero as a kid, but there are people who will continue seeking this impact as an adult. Since being super heroes isn’t an option for us, taking on a world changing challenge means we will have to deal with hard times and obstacles. Stopping the work becomes an enticing option.

Sarah Cunningham offers advice and help in The Well-Balanced World Changer. Subtitled as A Field Guide for Staying Sane While Doing Good, it has short essays on how to handle the stress that will arise while trying to help others, whether a whole people group, or just a collection of acquaintances. Having experienced and seen much of what she writes about, Cunningham hopes to help those who are following the same path that she has.

Split into 10 sections that deal with the broad topics you will face, and having essays that go into more detail about the issues under those topics, the book covers a lot of ground. All of what is written about is helpful, from realizing that you will not automatically be given a stage on which to speak, to realizing that doing good can be risky, to understanding that the person you deemed to be a monster may only be one in your mind.

Even if you aren’t on track to take the country by storm, or travel to someplace and affect thousands, this book can serve as encouragement. We all need to strive to do good, and we need to remember that we will have some impact, if only on those directly around us.

I received a free copy of this book from Moody Publishers in exchange for an honest review.