Discouragement comes pretty easily for most of us. Something we had planned messes up, and those feelings of doubt and failure come flowing in. Getting rid of that frame of mind is not always easy. In There’s Reason To Be Encouraged, Paul E. Murrell shares poems and short articles he has written over the years to give you a new perspective on the situation you’re in.

Some of the books like this can get to be “think good thoughts” writing. All you have to do is be positive, and change will happen. Murrell doesn’t do that. He provides encouragement, but does so in a way that acknowledges bad things happen and that we still need to trust in God, who provides true joy. I found many writings in this book that talked about a situation that I have been through or am seeing now.

The book is split into sections that group the poems and articles into themes, like Christian living, prayer, and sharing the gospel. The book can be read through cover to cover, or skimmed if you are looking for something in particular. It would be one that you could leave on the nightstand or table in the living room to pick up at a moment’s notice. Or you could use it as part of a devotional time.

I received a free copy of There’s Reason To Be Encouraged in exchange for this review as part of the BookCrash program.