I sat on our front deck, desperate for my body to be repaired by someone.

It simply wasn’t happening.

I’d gone from capable teacher, business owner, and busy mum of three—constantly doing, achieving, helping—to… unable to do much of anything at all.

My brain strived to think coherently, but thinking was too painful. Constant fog-like flu and knifelike pains zapped my brain without warning.

Pain is exhausting.

So I endeavored to sleep, to rest.

“Be still, My child.”

But I have so much I need to be doing.

“This is your time to be still. Let others take care of things for a while.”

I don’t like being still. It’s awkward and difficult. It feels unnatural to my buzzing system. My brain races. My body races too.

Am I ever going to get better, Lord?

“It’s in the ‘Be still’ that you will heal.”

I don’t feel like me. Who am I—if I can’t do anything?

Then God whispered something that shattered my understanding of everything:

“You could sit on this couch for the rest of your life, and I could not love you any more or less.”

But…but…but…

The excuses and questioning continued as I endeavored to process all that He was saying.

How could You love me if I sit and do nothing?

His response was so tender it brought me to tears:

“I care far more about your being than your doing. It’s in the being with Me that you can do. Be still, My child, and rest.”

Be Held By Him is the book I wish someone had handed me in that moment on the front deck.

It’s my invitation to you—to pull up a chair, grab yourself a cuppa, and sit with me a while. Let me share the beautiful, tender things God showed me when everything I thought defined me was stripped away.

This isn’t a book about my suffering. It’s about discovering that your worth isn’t in what you do. It’s in whose you are.

It’s about God’s fingerprints all over the difficult moments. It’s about hearing His voice when you thought He’d gone silent. It’s about being held when you can’t hold on.

From the multi-award-winning Be Held By Him series — Winner of the International Book Awards and Firebird Book Awards. Finalist for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Award and Montaigne Medal.

This is Book 1—for when life knocks you off your feet and you need to know you’re held. Each of the 16 chapters reveals a different way God connects with us in the hard seasons. Together with Books 2 and 3, the series offers 47 different ways God speaks to us and meets us—in crisis, in the in-between, and in fresh beginnings.

This is a BEING book—like a big pillow to lay your head upon, or a quilt to snuggle under. Nothing required but to be, rest, and let Him encourage your heart.

God Speaks Back to You

After I share my story, you’ll find “Father’s Heart” sections—God’s tender voice speaking directly to YOU:

“Stop for a moment, child. I call you child because no matter how old you may feel, compared to Me, you are always young, full of life, full of purpose, and full of My hope. Pick up My peace and regain My rest. Now walk forward in it.”

These aren’t my interpretations—these are the words God whispered to me, excerpts taken straight from my personal journals. As I poured out my heart to Him, these are the words that came to me in response—and now I’m passing them on to you.

Readers say these sections alone are worth the entire book.

Written During the Mystery, Not After

Most books about suffering are written from the victory side. I wrote this from my daybed during a decade of chronic mystery illness—not after recovery, but right in the middle.

I know what it’s like when:

• Doctors say “we don’t know what’s wrong”
• You go from doing everything to doing nothing
• Your identity was wrapped up in what you could do
• Well-meaning people say “just pray more”
• You wonder if God still sees you
• You ask “Who am I if I can’t do anything?”

16 Ways God Connects With You

Journey Map included in the book shows where you are and where you’re going—hope made visual.

This isn’t just my health story. Each of the 16 chapters reveals a different way God speaks to us and meets us in the hard seasons:

Rest • Be Still • Giving and Receiving • Atmosphere • Never Alone • Safe Places and Safe People • Trust • Kindness • Tears • Faith • God’s Presence • Prayer • Weakness • Small Things • Practical Survival Tips • Village Life

The book includes a stunning illustrated map showing “The Journey” through different terrains. You can see where you are and where you’re going—hope made visual.

Permission to Just Be

The most profound truth God taught me: Your worth isn’t in what you do. It’s in whose you are.

“I care far more about your being than your doing.”

This hard season doesn’t define you. It doesn’t have to become your identity. It’s just a chapter—and God is writing something beautiful even here.

WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR?

This Book Is For You If:

✅ You’ve lost yourself in this season — You used to be the capable one, the strong one, the one everyone relied on. Now you can barely function, and you’re asking “Who am I if I can’t do anything?”

✅ You’re exhausted from trying so hard — You’ve pushed, fought, prayed, and white-knuckled your way through. You need permission to stop striving and just be held.

✅ Your worth has always been tied to your productivity — And now that you can’t produce, you feel worthless. You need to hear that God loves your being, not just your doing.

✅ You’re living with chronic illness or mystery symptoms — Doctors can’t find answers. Friends don’t understand. You need someone who gets it because they’re living it too.

✅ You feel forgotten by God — You’ve prayed and prayed, but heaven feels silent. You wonder if He still sees you, still cares, still has a plan.

✅ You’re too tired to pray or read your Bible — Traditional devotionals feel like one more thing you’re failing at. You need something gentle that meets you where you are.

✅ You’ve been told to “just have more faith” — And it made you feel worse. You need hope without shame, truth without judgment.

✅ You’re grieving your old life — The life you had before. The person you used to be. The dreams that had to die. You need space to mourn.

✅ You’re caring for someone who is struggling — Caregiver burnout is real. You need encouragement that doesn’t minimize your exhaustion but offers genuine hope.

✅ You’re in spiritual dryness or crisis — Your faith feels shaky. You’re questioning everything. You need to know God can handle your questions and still loves you deeply.

Read This Book When:

• You’re in crisis and can barely function
• You’ve just received a difficult diagnosis
• You’re in a season of waiting with no answers
• You’re grieving what life used to be
• You need permission to rest without guilt
• You want to hear God’s voice in the hard places
• You’re ready to discover that being matters more than doing

Give Be Held By Him When:

• Someone receives a chronic illness diagnosis
• A friend is going through a difficult season
• It’s been 3-6 months since their crisis began and initial support has faded
• They say “I’m so tired of fighting”
• They’re a caregiver running on empty
• They’ve lost their sense of identity
• You want to give something that won’t make them feel worse

This is the question that haunted me. When doctors couldn’t find answers, when my body refused to heal, when I lay on that daybed unable to do anything—I wondered if God had forgotten me.

He hadn’t.

This book shows how God meets you right where you are. Each chapter ends with “Father’s Heart”—the words God whispered to me, taken straight from my personal journals, where He responded to my desperate cries.

He met me in:

• The mystery of not knowing what was wrong
• The exhaustion of fighting every day
• The fear of what might come next
• The grief of losing who I used to be
• The silence when I couldn’t hear Him

“I believe Karen’s story of her process, promptings, special prayers, and community will be a source of wisdom, encouragement, and hope to all in those desperate times when the supernatural power of a loving God is needed.” — Pastor Ken Hooper

Trust isn’t easy when you’re in pain.

The book includes an entire chapter on Trust—not surface-level trust, but the deep, real kind that develops when you have no other option.

I share how trust grew even when healing didn’t come. How you can stay in relationship with God while wrestling with hard questions. How trust isn’t about pretending everything is fine—it’s about holding onto Him even when nothing makes sense.

“Karen’s journey is one of victory, like few people ever experience. It is not just about a deeply personal struggle with serious health issues. It is the lived experience of one who has overcome a crisis, even when the crisis is still ongoing.” — Dr. Norman Craig Nelson

You’ll discover:

• How to trust when you don’t understand
• How to stay in relationship with God while questioning
• How trust can grow even without healing
• How to be honest with God about your doubts
• How trust becomes your anchor in the storm

I know what it’s like to be too tired for anything.

Too tired to read your Bible. Too tired to pray. Too tired to even think straight. On those days, the last thing you need is a devotional that gives you homework or makes you feel guilty for not doing more.

This book is designed for your worst days:

• On your hardest days, just read the “Father’s Heart” section (3 minutes)
• No pressure to complete anything
• No guilt for where you are
• Just God’s voice speaking hope to you at whatever level you can receive today

“Karen’s book is not an account of her sickness. It is not a depressing read about one person’s battle with failing health. It is much more than that.” — Dr. Norman Craig Nelson

Each chapter includes:

• Karen’s real story (as long or short as you need)
• Father’s Heart — God’s voice speaking directly to you
• Prayer — words when you can’t find your own
• Scripture to anchor you

Can I really hear God’s voice?

Yes. And this book shows you how.

Every chapter includes the actual words God spoke to me—not theology about His voice, but His real, personal, tender words taken straight from my journals.

“Karen intuitively invites the reader to come alongside her as she vividly describes special encounters with God. Her sensitive writing allows us to sense God’s presence and get lost in the moment.” — Susan Hoekstra

What you’ll experience:

• God’s actual words to Karen in crisis
• His voice speaking hope, truth, and love
• Encouragement that He wants to speak to you too
• Practical ways to hear Him in your everyday

These “Father’s Heart” sections have been the most impactful part of the book for readers. Many say they’ve never felt God speak so directly to them.

Living with chronic illness is exhausting—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I’ve been there. I wrote this book from my daybed during a decade of chronic mystery illness. Not after I was healed. Not from the victory side. Right in the middle.

This book understands:

• The loneliness of a condition no one can see
• The grief of losing who you used to be
• The frustration when doctors have no answers
• The exhaustion of explaining yourself over and over
• The spiritual questions that come with ongoing pain

“These are extremely important books. They deal with one of the big questions in life: how do I deal with my pain? Karen’s books will be the voice of a treasured friend who helps you through.” — Deborah Lewis

You’ll find:

• Someone who truly understands because she’s living it
• Permission to rest without guilt
• Hope that doesn’t minimize your reality
• God’s tender voice in the middle of mystery
• Encouragement that your worth isn’t tied to your health

This is the gift that won’t make them feel worse.

When someone you love is struggling with chronic illness, it’s hard to know what to give. Many well-meaning gifts can accidentally add pressure or make them feel more broken.

Why this book works as a gift:

✅ No homework — They can read one page or put it down for weeks. No guilt.

✅ Meets them where they are — Written by someone living it, not looking back on it.

✅ God speaks to them — The “Father’s Heart” sections let God’s voice reach them directly.

✅ Validates their experience — They’ll feel seen and understood, not judged.

✅ Offers real hope — Not toxic positivity, but genuine encouragement from someone who gets it.

When to give it:

• At diagnosis
• 3-6 months in (when everyone else has moved on)
• When they say “I’m so tired of fighting”
• When they’re questioning God
• Anytime they need to know they’re not alone

Caregivers need care too.

If you’re caring for someone with chronic illness, disability, or ongoing needs, you know the exhaustion that goes bone-deep. You’re giving everything you have, and there’s rarely anything left for yourself.

This book is for you:

While written from the perspective of someone with chronic illness, caregivers have found deep encouragement here. Why? Because the core message applies to you too:

Your worth isn’t in what you do. It’s in whose you are.

You need permission to rest. You need to know God sees you. You need hope that doesn’t minimize how hard this is.

“Karen challenges us to see God and trust Him in our waiting rooms. Her book and life will draw you to ‘Turn your eyes on Jesus.'” — Debbie Patrick

You’ll find:

• Permission to rest without guilt
• Validation that caregiving is hard and holy
• God’s tender voice for your exhaustion
• Hope that doesn’t add more to your plate
• Encouragement that you are seen and loved

Who am I if I can’t do what I used to do?

This was my question. For years, my identity was wrapped up in being a teacher, a business owner, a busy mum who could do it all. When chronic illness took all of that away, I didn’t know who I was anymore.

This book is for that moment of identity crisis—whether yours came from:

• Job loss or career change
• Retirement or empty nest
• Illness or injury
• Divorce or relationship loss
• Any major life transition

The core message will meet you there: Your worth isn’t in what you do. It’s in whose you are.

“This book makes a wonderful contribution to the understanding of how to transition from living as a ‘human doing’ to becoming a completely fulfilled ‘human being.'” — Dr. Norman Craig Nelson

You’ll discover:

• Your identity doesn’t depend on your productivity
• God loves your being, not just your doing
• This transition can become a doorway to deeper purpose
• You are more than what you can achieve

16 Chapters You Can Read in Any Order:

1. Rest — What to Do When You Can’t Do Anything
2. Be Still — One Solution to a Racing Mind
3. Giving and Receiving — But Needy Is Hard, Lord
4. Atmosphere — Your Environment Can Change You
5. Never Alone — Isolation Is a Lie
6. Safe Places and Safe People — Worthy of Safety
7. Trust — Dare to Trust Again
8. Kindness — Be Kind to Yourself
9. Tears — Permission to Cry
10. Faith — Building Trust When It’s Hard
11. God’s Presence — Life Is More than What Is Seen
12. Prayer — Developing Awareness of God in the Everyday
13. Weakness — When I Am Weak, He Is Strong
14. Small Things — Valuing the Small Builds the BIG
15. Practical Survival Tips — Life Checks and Balances

Village Life — Community—A Little Piece of Heaven

Each Chapter Includes:

Karen’s Real Story — Honest, vulnerable, and full of hope. Not polished testimonies but real moments from the middle of the journey.

“Father’s Heart” — God’s voice speaking directly to you. The words He whispered to Karen, taken straight from her personal journals, now passed on to you.

Prayer — Words when you can’t find your own. Simple, heartfelt prayers you can make your own.

Scripture — Anchoring truth from God’s Word.

Special Features:

📍 The Journey Map — A beautiful illustrated map showing the path through Rest, Trust, God’s Presence, Weakness, and Village Life. See where you are and where you’re going.

📖 Read in Any Order — Start with whatever chapter speaks to your heart today. No need to go front to back.

⏱️ Flexible Reading — On your hardest days, just read the Father’s Heart section (3 minutes). On better days, read a full chapter (15-20 minutes).

🎁 No Homework — This isn’t a workbook. Just read and receive.

The Coffee-with-a-Friend Experience

“Like sitting down with a dear friend over a cup of coffee… Hope shines through every page.” — Reader Review

“Karen has shared her difficult journey of healing in a way that is easy to read, practical, full of encouragement and hope.” — Deborah Lewis

“It’s the journey of moving from weakness to a powerful rediscovery of the depth of Father God’s love.” — Pastor Ken Hooper

God’s Voice Speaking

“God’s voice speaks tenderly throughout this book… I felt like He was speaking directly to me.” — Michelle S.

“Karen intuitively invites the reader to come alongside her as she vividly describes special encounters with God.” — Susan Hoekstra

“I’ve read the Father’s Heart sections over and over. It’s like God is speaking directly to my situation.” — Reader Review

Real, Raw, and Relatable

“Real, raw, and relatable… Karen’s honest and vulnerable writing drew me in immediately.” — Joanne M.

“Karen’s journey is one of victory, like few people ever experience. It is the lived experience of one who has overcome a crisis, even when the crisis is still ongoing.” — Dr. Norman Craig Nelson

“These are extremely important books. They deal with one of the big questions in life: how do I deal with my pain?” — Deborah Lewis

Permission to Rest

“Released me from the burden of trying to fix everything myself… gave me permission to rest in His presence.” — Sarah T.

“Karen challenges us to see God and trust Him in our waiting rooms.” — Debbie Patrick

“This book makes a wonderful contribution to the understanding of how to transition from living as a ‘human doing’ to becoming a completely fulfilled ‘human being.'” — Dr. Norman Craig Nelson

For Different Struggles

“Not just for chronic illness—I found hope for my burnout, grief, and spiritual exhaustion.” — Reader Review

“I’m a caregiver for my mum. I bought this book for her but found myself reading it for myself.” — Caregiver Review

“I lost my job and felt like I’d lost myself. This book helped me see that my worth was never in what I did.” — Reader Review

Life-Changing Impact

“I bought this for my friend with chronic illness. She said it was the first thing that made her feel seen and understood. Now I’ve bought it for three more people.” — Gift Giver Review

“OMG! I absolutely love this! Cried my eyes out! I can’t wait to read the rest of the book.” — Lisa Elliott

“I pray they bless you as they have me; they are anointed, powerful and a treasure trove of wisdom.” — Deborah Lewis

My rest is an inner peace that remains whatever may come.

My rest refreshes the inner man so that the outer man can walk fearlessly forward into the plans I have for them.

My rest is the meeting place between you and Me.

It is where My Spirit speaks, and you hear Me.

It is a perfect place of communion: you and I walking together as we were designed to.

My rest can be taken up or put down.

Walking in My rest is a choice.

I will never force My rest upon you, child, because My will is for you to choose Me—out of love.

Stop for a moment, child.

I call you child because no matter how old you may feel, compared to Me, you are always young, full of life, full of purpose, and full of My hope.

Pick up My peace and regain My rest.

Now walk forward in it.

Format: Paperback & Kindle eBook

Length: 280 pages

Reading Time: 15-20 minutes per chapter (or 3 minutes for just Father’s Heart)

Best For: Adults in crisis seasons—chronic illness, grief, burnout, caregiver exhaustion, spiritual dryness, identity loss

Awards for Be Held By Him:

• 🏆 Book of the Year Awards – WINNER (Religion/Christian Non-Fiction)
• 🏆 International Book Awards – WINNER (Religion – Christian Inspirational)
• 🏆 Eric Hoffer Award – Finalist
• 🏆 The Montaigne Medal – Finalist
• 🏆 Independent Author Network Book of the Year – Finalist
• 🏆 PenCraft Book Awards – Finalist

Origin: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

ISBN: 978-0-6451515-0-3 (Paperback) | 978-0-6451515-1-0 (eBook)

This isn’t just Karen’s health journey. It’s a practical guide to 47 different ways God speaks to us and meets us in every season of life.

Each book covers a different season—and together, they offer a complete roadmap for hearing God and experiencing His presence through crisis, stabilizing, and fresh beginnings.

Book 1: Be Held By Him (You Are Here)

For Crisis & Collapse Seasons 16 ways God connects with us when life knocks us off our feet

Rest • Be Still • Giving and Receiving • Atmosphere • Never Alone • Safe Places and Safe People • Trust • Kindness • Tears • Faith • God’s Presence • Prayer • Weakness • Small Things • Practical Survival Tips • Village Life

Book 2: Take a Breath With Him

For Stabilizing & In-Between Seasons 15 ways God connects with us when we’re getting back on our feet

Celebration • Childlike Faith • Declaration • Armor Up • Praise and Worship • Pictures • Prayer Ministry • Love • Thoughts • Timely Words • Truth Versus Lies • Friends • Fun • Creativity • Authority

Book 3: Take a Step With Him

For Fresh Beginnings & Moving Forward 16 ways God connects with us when we’re ready to step into what’s next

Testimony • Forgiveness • Opposite Spirit • Blessing • Prophetic Words • Prophetic Acts • Joy • Intercession • Looking Beyond • Sound Teaching • The Word • Visions • Dreams • Thankfulness • Lament • Living Legacy

Which Book Should You Start With?

Start where you are:

• In crisis? Can’t function? → Start with Be Held By Him (Book 1)
• Stabilizing but not back to normal? → Start with Take a Breath With Him (Book 2)
• Ready for fresh beginnings? → Start with Take a Step With Him (Book 3)

Each book stands alone. You don’t need to read them in order.

Go Deeper: Companion Guidebooks

Each testimony book has a Companion Guidebook with journaling prompts, reflection questions, worship practices, and activations—for when you have energy to go deeper.

“You could sit on this couch for the rest of your life, and I could not love you any more or less.”

That’s the message that changed everything for me. And it’s waiting for you too.

Be Held By Him won’t give you more to do. It will give you permission to just be—and in that space, discover how deeply you are loved.

Available in:

• 📖 Paperback
• 📱 Kindle eBook

Special Offer: Order the complete Be Held By Him series (Books 1-3) and receive bonus

Go Deeper: Be Held By Him Companion Guidebook → Journaling, reflection, worship practices, activations

Next in the Series: Take a Breath With Him (Book 2) → For stabilizing seasons

Take a Step With Him (Book 3) → For fresh beginnings

Free Resources:

• 📥 Download the Journey Map printable
• 💌 Receive Karen’s encouraging emails
• 👥 Join the Be Held By Him community
• 🎧 Listen to Karen’s story

That’s the message that changed everything for me. And it’s waiting for you too.

Be Held By Him won’t give you more to do. It will give you permission to just be—and in that space, discover how deeply you are loved.

Karen Brough — Author

Karen Brough is a multi-award-winning Australian author living in Melbourne, Victoria with her husband Craig and their family. She continues to navigate life with chronic illness while writing, encouraging others, and discovering new depths of God’s tender love.

Her Be Held By Him series has won the International Book Awards, Book of the Year Awards, and Firebird Book Awards, and been recognized as a finalist for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Award and Montaigne Medal.

“Your worth isn’t in what you do. It’s in whose you are.”

Website: www.karenbrough.com

Free Resources: www.karenbrough.com/free-resources

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