Book Review: A Deeper Kind of Calm, by Linda Dillow

Sometimes when I am in the valley of hardship, it is hard to pick up a book because my attention span is short and my mind is weary.   In those times, when extra doses of strength and encouragement are needed, Linda Dallow’s book A Deeper Kind of Calm is a perfect read.  She describes the "Valley of Weeping" as a place of experiencing illness, physical pain, prodigal children, relationship difficulties, or enemy attack (enemies may be a person, or it may be fear, anxiety, despair, or depression). 

The author draws from four Psalms to describe four biblical aspects of faith as a survival guide through the valley:

1.    Remembering – She provides practical ways to remember what God has done.  Intentionally meditating on how He has shown you His ways in the past transforms  a ‘pity party into a praise celebration’.

2.    Hiding – She uses real-world application on how to hide in God as our refuge and find the inner strength we need to face trials.

3.    Clinging – She gives concrete illustrations on what it means to cling to God, using four attitudes that caused David’s heart to cling based on his desperation and dependence on God.

4.    Journeying – She depicts the walk through the fog in the valley as a necessary journey in faith where we hold God’s hand.  Through the valley, we journey to the sacred place, experience the blessing of intimacy with God, and grow in character.

A key theme I draw from the book is that “the woman of strength dares to dig blessings out of hardships”, and she displays how this really works in the nitty-gritty of life.

The short sections and poignant illustrations will enable you to focus and draw strength in order to not only keep moving forward, but also to find the sweet blessings buried in the valley.  A four-week Bible study at the back of the book pulls you deeper into the Psalms with each of these aspects and assists in applying it to your life.  It is an easy read in a hospital waiting room or late at night when sleep won’t come.  I consider it a must-read-again when I travel through the dark places or want to help a friend through them. 

I received this book free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."