šŸ“š 5 Must-Read Books That Strengthened My Faith and Changed My Mindset

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āœØIā€™ll be honest ā€” my personal growth and spiritual growth havenā€™t always gone hand in hand. There have been seasons where I was focused on fixing my habits, building my confidence, or getting my life together, but I left God on the backburner. And other times, Iā€™ve been so deep into my faith that I forgot God actually cares about my everyday personal growth too.
Over the years, Iā€™ve come to understand that true personal growth begins with God at the center. Our relationship with Him impacts everything in our lives, including how we develop as individuals. Iā€™ve learned that you canā€™t separate the spiritual from the personal; they go hand in hand in shaping us into who God created us to be.

The books Iā€™m about to share have been essential tools in my journey of faith and personal growth. Each of these reads has played a role in helping me grow spiritually, as well as in how I approach my daily habits, thoughts, and goals. Whether youā€™re just starting to seek God, or youā€™ve been walking with Him for years and are looking to deepen your understanding, I believe these books will bless you as much as theyā€™ve blessed me.

Here are 5 books that have helped me grow spiritually and personally ā€” and I pray theyā€™ll do the same for you.

šŸ“– 1. The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
I first picked up this book during a time of deep questioning. I was unsure of who I was, what my purpose was, or even why I was here. Itā€™s a 40-day journey that guides you through some heavy yet necessary questions about life, purpose, and faith. The beauty of this book is that itā€™s not just something you read once ā€” itā€™s something you keep coming back to for continued reflection. Itā€™s packed with scripture, wisdom, and reminders that you are not random; you are intentional.

šŸ‘‰ Grab your copy here ā€“ https://amzn.to/41odieo

Why Itā€™s Been Life-Changing for Me:
āœ… It helped me see that my life isnā€™t random ā€” itā€™s intentional, created by God with purpose.
āœ… The reflection questions helped me really process what God was showing me in each season.
āœ… It reminded me that my purpose isnā€™t about what I do ā€” itā€™s about who I am in Christ. This book encouraged me to see myself through Godā€™s eyes, not the worldā€™s.

šŸ™ 2. Fervent: A Womanā€™s Battle Plan to Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer by Priscilla Shirer
If I could recommend just one book on prayer, this would be it. My prayer life once felt weak and repetitive. I was often unsure of how to pray with confidence, let alone with authority. But this book taught me that prayer isnā€™t just something nice to do when you have time ā€” itā€™s an essential, strategic part of our battle in the spiritual realm. Priscilla Shirer does an incredible job breaking down how we can pray specifically and purposefully for different areas of our lives.

šŸ‘‰ Order yours here ā€“ https://amzn.to/3QK2VMZ

What I Love Most:
āœ… Itā€™s not just inspiring ā€” itā€™s practical (I literally wrote out prayers using her templates).
āœ… It gave me confidence to pray Godā€™s Word over my life, knowing itā€™s powerful and true.
āœ… I felt like Priscilla was right there with me, coaching me through every prayer, showing me how to be intentional in my communication with God.

šŸ§© 3. Atomic Habits by James Clear ā€” With a Faith Twist
Although this isnā€™t a Christian book, it has been a game-changer for my spiritual habits. As a busy mom and woman of faith, I often felt overwhelmed by the idea of adding one more thing to my already full plate. But after reading Atomic Habits, I learned how to break down big, overwhelming goals into small, simple actions. This approach has been instrumental in my daily routines, including prayer, Bible study, and even physical self-care. Iā€™ve seen how small, consistent habits lead to spiritual growth, and itā€™s a game-changer.

šŸ‘‰ Check it out here ā€“ https://amzn.to/3D5D1Ap

How Itā€™s Helped My Faith:
āœ… I donā€™t try to do everything all at once ā€” I start small and build up, knowing God honors consistency.
āœ… Iā€™m finally consistent with my daily quiet time (even if itā€™s just 5 minutes on busy days).
āœ… Iā€™ve learned that showing up for God matters more than perfection. The small, faithful steps are what lead to big, lasting growth.

šŸ§  4. Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen
If youā€™ve ever felt like your thoughts are spiraling out of control, this book is for you. I struggled with anxiety, doubt, and negative thinking for years, and my thoughts often ran wild without my permission. But Get Out of Your Head opened my eyes to the reality that God has given us the power to take our thoughts captive and replace lies with His truth. I learned that our thoughts are deeply connected to our spiritual lives, and itā€™s essential to renew our minds with Godā€™s Word.

šŸ‘‰ Get your copy here ā€“ https://amzn.to/43m86dD

What Iā€™ll Never Forget:
āœ… I realized that my thought life directly impacts my spiritual life ā€” I couldnā€™t afford to ignore it anymore.
āœ… I discovered that with Godā€™s help, I have the power to shift my thinking and renew my mind daily.
āœ… Jennieā€™s raw honesty made me feel like I wasnā€™t alone ā€” I was able to face my struggles and renew my perspective.

šŸ•Šļø 5. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
This book hit me like a ton of bricks. Iā€™m the type whoā€™s always busy, always on the go, believing that being busy equates to being productive. But over time, I realized that I was sacrificing my relationship with God for the sake of staying busy. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry challenged me to slow down, rest, and make intentional space for God in my life. The reality is, busyness doesnā€™t equal fruitfulness. This book gave me permission to rest and showed me how to cultivate a life of peace and presence with God.

šŸ‘‰ Snag your copy here ā€“ https://amzn.to/4irxnHQ

The Biggest Lesson I Learned:
āœ… Busyness doesnā€™t equal fruitfulness. The key to a meaningful life is learning to rest and make space for God.
āœ… When I slow down, Iā€™m more aware of Godā€™s presence and able to hear His voice more clearly.
āœ… Rest isnā€™t lazy ā€” itā€™s a spiritual discipline. Itā€™s an act of trust in Godā€™s provision.

āœØ These books have been like mentors on my nightstand ā€” guiding me through different seasons of personal and spiritual growth. Each one of them has encouraged me to seek God more intentionally and take practical steps toward becoming who He created me to be. While Iā€™m still a work in progress (arenā€™t we all?), Iā€™m incredibly thankful for the wisdom, encouragement, and truth these authors have shared.

If youā€™re looking for books that will help grow your faith, transform your mindset, and challenge you to become who God intended, I wholeheartedly recommend these. You can check them all out using my affiliate links above, and if you decide to grab one, I appreciate your support of this blog. Your support means the world to me as I continue sharing content aimed at encouraging you in your walk with God.

šŸ“š Have you read any of these books? Or do you have a book thatā€™s deeply impacted your spiritual journey? Let me know in the comments ā€” Iā€™d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations!

šŸ“² The Internet: A Blessing and a Burden

In the age of social media and online influencers, it seems like thereā€™s a solution for every problemā€”skin included. I would spend hours scrolling through YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, watching influencers rave about the latest ā€œholy grailā€ product. šŸ™Œ Every video convinced me that THIS would be the miracle my skin needed.

The problem was, thereā€™s just so much information out there. For every person who swore by a product, there was another saying it ruined their skin. šŸ˜µā€šŸ’« I felt overwhelmed and even more confused than when I started. Was I supposed to focus on hydration? Exfoliation? Barrier repair? It was like trying to put together a puzzle when half the pieces were missingā€”or worse, didnā€™t even belong to the same puzzle. šŸ§©

Thatā€™s when it hit me: what works for one person might not work for another. God reminded me of Psalm 32:8 šŸ“–, where He promises, ā€œI will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.ā€ I needed to stop relying solely on the internet and start seeking Godā€™s guidance for my specific situation. šŸ™

šŸ§“ Skincare and Soul Care

The first thing I learned is that outward changes require inward work. Proverbs 4:23 says, ā€œAbove all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.ā€ Similarly, if you donā€™t take care of whatā€™s happening beneath the surface, no amount of cover-up will help. šŸ’•

I prayed, ā€œLord, guide me to what will actually work for my skin.ā€ But God wasnā€™t about to hand me glowing skin on a silver platterā€”I had to learn consistency first. Every time I jumped from one product to the next without giving it time to work, it was like He was saying, ā€œKristen, if I show you the answer now, youā€™ll just quit on it like youā€™ve been doing.ā€ Ouch. šŸ˜¬

This lesson applied not just to my skin but to my spiritual life as well. I realized I had a tendency to seek quick fixes in my faithā€”praying for immediate results instead of allowing God to work in His timing. Just like skincare, spiritual growth requires patience, discipline, and trust. šŸŒ±

šŸŽ¢ My Skincare Rollercoaster

Before God led me to the right routine, I tried everything:

  • Chemical Peels: I thought theyā€™d wipe the slate clean. Spoiler: they didnā€™t. šŸ˜“
    ā€¢ Turmeric Soap: Two weeks in, I gave up.
    ā€¢ Beef Tallow: Yes, I rubbed cow fat on my face. Donā€™t ask. šŸ„
    ā€¢ Dial Soap: Great for hands, not for faces. šŸ§¼
    ā€¢ Korean Skincare: Finally, some progress! šŸ‡°šŸ‡·

When I discovered Korean skincare, I started with Anuaā€™s Heartleaf Pore Cleansing Oil and Foam Cleanser. Double-cleansing helped control my oily skin, and I learned that moisturizingā€”even for oily skinā€”is essential. Thatā€™s when I added CosRX Snail Mucin Essence šŸŒ. Yes, itā€™s made from snail secretion but trust meā€”itā€™s magic. āœØ

But I still needed help with my dark spots and breakouts. And thatā€™s when God stepped in.Ā 

 

 

āœļø The Game-Changer: Tretinoin, Remedy, and Trust

God led me to Tretinoin, a powerful prescription retinoid known for increasing cell turnover. It helps with acne, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. But hereā€™s the catch: it required a prescription, and my busy schedule didnā€™t leave much room for dermatologist visits. šŸ˜©

Cue divine intervention: I stumbled upon Doctorly on YouTube. One of the doctors not only explained Tretinoinā€™s benefits but also created an online store where I could access it. Talk about God removing obstacles! šŸ™Œ

Through the same source, I found Remedy, another amazing product that helps reduce pore size and improve skin texture. Remedy combines retinol, salicylic acid, and niacinamideā€”perfect for tackling uneven texture, blackheads, and sebaceous filaments.

Now, I alternate between Tretinoin and Remedy every nightā€”and consistency has been the real game-changer. Even when Iā€™m exhausted, Iā€™ll get up at 2 a.m. to make sure I stick to my routine. šŸ’Ŗ

 

šŸ“·After lots of trial and error (and prayer), hereā€™s where my skin started to change once I found a routine that worked for me:

LiveKriss is a faith-driven, fashion-forward, and purpose-filled blog created by Kristen. As a wife, mother of six, and a woman navigating faith, family, and personal growth, Kristen shares her journey to living with intention and style. From devotionals and faith-based encouragement to modest fashion and lifestyle insights, LiveKriss is a space to inspire women to walk boldly in their purpose while staying true to their values.

 

Living for Him: Why LiveKriss Is About More Than Just Me

Living for Him: Why LiveKriss Is About More Than Just Me

Ā Welcome to LiveKriss! šŸŽ‰ If youā€™re here, it means youā€™re ready to embrace a journey of intentional living, faith, and growth.šŸŒ± Let me take a moment to share what this blog is all aboutā€”and how itā€™s more than just a blog for me; itā€™s a reflection of the life Iā€™m...

šŸ’• Faith, Consistency, and Confidence

This routine has been life-changing. My breakouts have decreased, my dark spots are fading, and I havenā€™t worn makeup in over three months. šŸŽ‰ I feel confident with just brows, cluster lashes, and lip glossā€”itā€™s such a freeing feeling to walk around bare-faced without that voice in my head screaming, ā€œEveryone is staring at your skin!ā€

Proverbs 16:3 says, ā€œCommit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.ā€ When I committed my skincare journey to Himā€”along with the discipline to follow throughā€”He guided me to the right products and routine. šŸ™Œ

Another scripture close to my heart during this journey is Psalm 139:14: ā€œI praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know that full well.ā€ This verse reminds me that I am wonderfully made, blemishes or not. šŸŒŸ

šŸ“·And hereā€™s where Godā€™s guidance, consistency, and the right products have brought me:

šŸ’¬ Clearing My Heart

Through this process, God has shown me that just like skincare, life requires discipline, patience, and trust in His timing. If youā€™re feeling stuckā€”whether itā€™s with your skin, your heart, or any other area of your lifeā€”invite God into the process. šŸ™

He cares about the big things and the small things, and Heā€™s ready to guide you to the solution thatā€™s perfect for you. šŸ’–

šŸ“·The journey isnā€™t over, but Iā€™m so thankful for the progress God has brought me through! If youā€™re struggling with your skinā€”or anything elseā€”invite God into the process. He cares about every detail.

Have you invited God into your skincare journey (or any other part of your life)? Let me know in the comments! šŸ’¬

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