Disclosure: I received these books to review; the opinions shared here are 100% mine.  This post contains affiliate links.

Are you in a place where you need a bit of encouragement or maybe you have a friend going through some hard times?  Here are a few books that  will lift your spirits and protect your heart.

Angels By My Side by Betty Malz is a compilation of dozens of angel-sighting stories.  For some reason I expected it to be like Chicken Soup for the Soul—a chapter for each story.  This is more like a narrative of the author’s thoughts with some stories to back up her reasoning. It’s not particularly well-written; the author’s banter was a distraction for me.  Malz likens the grip of Satan to the lure of Sirens from ancient mythology, dragging down their victims to a terrible death.  On the other hand, angels are heavenly helpers that appear when we most need them.  This is the type of book you’d read cover to cover, maybe stopping to look up scripture alongside the book.  The author even shares her own death experience, describing how her father wished that she weren’t dead. Suddenly her spirit obliged and came back to earth, to the absolute shock of her doctors.  Those who are skeptical about angels and the supernatural may scoff at this book.  However, with an open mind, this book will uplift your heart and help you to look for those angels around you.  At only 121 pages long, Angels by My Side is an easy read that can provide a little balm for an aching heart.

While you could get it for a few cents less on Kindle, I would suggest getting the paperback copy of Real Life, Real Miracles. It’s bargain priced at $6 and totally worth it. It’s small enough to tuck into your purse and take with you to the doctor’s office or wherever you’re going to be able to sit for a few minutes and read. The stories in this book are so heartwarming, they’ll bring tears to your eyes. I’m a true believer in blessings from God. I don’t think miracles are a myth, and I also don’t think any miracle is ever too small. I’ve posted a few times about the way that God has blessed my family in times of need. Every time, those blessings have come through the hands of other people. I believe God set that blessing in motion before my need was ever known. In Real Life, Real Miracles, you’ll just feel the connection of the people in the story.  It also made me wonder how I can be a blessing to someone else through my actions. Food for thought, right?  This book will definitely send your heart sailing. Each story is a separate chapter, so you could share one with your family each day.  Maybe consider reading one story at breakfast or at supper.  Some of the stories describe harrowing escapes from death, while others offer hope for a better health diagnosis.  No matter which story is your favorite, you’re sure to feel uplifted after reading this book.
The next book in my stack is Secrets to a Happy Life.  This self-help book is based on the life of the biblical character Joseph who was sold into slavery at the hands of his brothers.  There was a time when I probably would have sold my brother if given the chance.  Now that I’m an adult, I have learned to face tough situations head-on and get through them. But does that mean that I’m happy in those tough situations?  Not necessarily.  Author Giovannetti claims that it’s really possible to be happy in ANY situation.  So in 2014 I think we should take that challenge!  The author isn’t afraid to step on some toes in this book.  He really spoke to me through his words.  The delusions of sin and life’s little (and big) twists might whisper in your ear, trying to get you to doubt God, but Giovannetti is the voice of reason.  Unafraid to speak the truth, he brings to light those deeply buried hurts and lies that many of us tell ourselves.  Then he helps the reader to unravel that lie and turn it into satisfaction that God is FOR us, not against us.  And if God is for us, who can be against us?  No one of consequence.

Which leads me to the final book I want to share.  A darker subject but nonetheless uplifting in the end, The Full Armor of God by Larry Richards is a weapon to wage against sin.
If you’ve ever felt that devotionals and Sunday School book studies leaned more toward new Christians, then you need to pick up this book. The Full Armor of God takes Satan seriously; reading this book is symbolic of putting on a suit of armor against sin. Figurative yet practical, I could really see the imagery behind the words. History fills in the pores of the book with descriptions of Roman soldiers and the background of early churches. Richards compiles several examples of common lies that people believe, such as I’m not worthy and No one loves me. He dispels those lies with the armor of God. The battle plan here is to know your enemy; Richards calls out Satan’s strategies and shows the reader how to defend the heart. Bring this book to your next small group meeting and turn the tables on Satan’s schemes!