9 Books to Read for a More Fulfilling Life

We live in a baffling, fast-paced world that seems never to stop. Between our daily routines, the things we see on social media, and the pressures of society, it’s no wonder we aren’t feeling fulfilled in our lives. In any area. They make us think we must have the perfect job, bloated finances, a flawless marriage, and kids and still be the “perfect” person. When we don’t have the “perfect life” that society says we should have, it’s easy for our lives to become unfulfilling.

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I need advice from a unique source. Of course, Jesus is our primary source of any advice we need, and we should go to him first. Still, sometimes it’s nice to read a book for a new perspective. Something positive and encouraging with practical application. Something to make me feel like I can take steps to have a fulfilling life, no matter what society says. The following books always make me feel good after reading them. I hope they will help you too.

Prayer Life

1. Fervent by Priscilla Shirer

Fervent is one of my favorite books. I’ve read it at least three times, and to be honest, it’s time to pick it up and read it again. This book is also, to me anyway, tied in with the movie War Room. If you haven’t seen War Room, it’s about a woman who learns to battle life’s struggles through prayer instead of fighting with her family. Priscilla Shirer, the author of Fervent, also stars in the movie.

This book teaches women how to pray strategically and gives them a battle plan for serious, specific, and strategic prayer. She broke the chapters down into ten topics. Each topic is about a specific area in your life where the enemy strategizes to battle against you—for example, dimming your desire for prayer and godly things or magnifying your insecurities, leading you to doubt what God says about you. At the end of each chapter, she gives tips and suggestions for writing your prayer regarding the specific topic. There are even prayer cards in the back that you can write on. I picked up this book years ago because I knew I was going to pray specifically over a situation, and this book helped me with that.

Christian Living

2. The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield

I read this book for a “book review” job I had years ago, and I absolutely loved it. It’s about a woman who wasn’t a believer, but God drew her to him by having dinner with a couple that authentically lived the Christian life.

From there, it shows how the author, Rosaria, opened her house to the lost and broken through genuine caring and hospitality to share the gospel with them. I love how this book shows how the most simple things can make a difference in people’s lives.

This book prepares us as women for the challenges we face in this world and teaches us things like what it means to intercede, how to speak the language of heaven on earth, how to disarm the enemy, etc. It is a powerful book and one I will read again soon.

3. Lioness Arising by Lisa Bevere

I love the premise of this book, comparing women to lionesses. Why? Because the lioness owns the landscape, takes care of her cubs, and when lionesses get together, they are a force to be reckoned with. Women are the same way.

This book teaches women to live like true lionesses by giving a voice to those who have none, protecting their children, being a representation of strength, rising together to support injustice, and much more. Women are just like the lioness-strong, creative, powerful in numbers, and can change the world.

Finances

4. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

This book is a personal finance classic for taking control of your money. This book, combined with Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, helped my husband and I get out of debt and manage our finances better. It gives a good, basic blueprint to get your finances under control.

5. How to Save Money by Luka Benson

If you are looking for ways to save money, this book has you covered. It covers everything from beverages and groceries to household goods and furniture to healthcare and much more. I have learned a lot from this book and am looking forward to using some of his recommendations.

Work

6. Do Over by Jon Acuff

If you are looking for a book about changing careers, this is great. Jon goes through four different scenarios that you will hit in your career. Then he teaches you what you need to have in your “career account” and how to build a career using the four elements each job has in common: relationships, skills, character, and hustle.

Personal Development

7. Soundtracks by Jon Acuff

Do you struggle with negative self-talk? Do you overthink? We all do. This book will help you flip the script in your head to something positive, changing those negative soundtracks to positive soundtracks. Jon has a laid-back, humorous writing style that I like, and this is a book I will read again.

8. The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

I picked up this book and found it interesting. I’m not a morning person, but this inspired me to become one. The author, Hal Elrod, has been through some horrible things in his life and wanted to learn how to be successful. He discovered that most successful people wake up early in the morning, but it’s more than that. There are certain things that successful people do in the morning as well.

This book lays out a morning routine to help start your day on the right foot. It all starts with S.A.V.E.R.S. This stands for silence, affirmations, visualization, exercise, reading, and scribing. You do all these things in an hour before doing anything else. This routine helps you have more energy, focus, and motivation to take your life to the next level.

Another thing I like about The Miracle Morning is that it’s a series; there are other books for specific situations and occupations, like The Miracle Morning For Writers, The Miracle Morning for Real Estate Agents, The Miracle Morning for Parents and Families, and The Miracle Morning for Teachers to name a few. I’m excited about starting my Miracle Morning journey.

9. The Tortoise and the Hare by Bernadette Watts

When I’m struggling with a goal or not feeling like I’m accomplishing my goals fast enough, I will sit down and read The Tortoise and the Hare. This story always reminds me it’s better to work slowly and steadily at a goal rather than accomplish it quickly. So many people that find instant success fade away just as fast. I would rather enjoy the journey.

The next time you feel unfulfilled, read one of these books, and you will take the steps to a more fulfilling life.