You know God loves you. You’ve heard the sermons, read the verses, maybe even underlined them in your Bible.

But can you recognize His voice? Do you know how to see Him at work in your everyday life? When life knocks you flat, do you know how to connect with Him—really connect?

I didn’t.

When I cried out for God in my mystery, in my pain—“Where are You?”—it wasn’t long before, in the quiet, in the days and weeks and months of affliction, He began to make Himself known.

I longed for Him. I needed Him—to know that I wasn’t alone in all I was walking.

And He showed up. Not always in the ways I expected, but in whispers and promptings, in timely words and unexpected peace, in moments that could only be Him.

This guidebook aims to help you recognize Him too.

The Be Held By Him Companion Guidebook is the DOING book I wish someone had handed me in that season. It holds your hand and offers down-to-earth connection points—practical, hands-on ways to understand God’s heart and nature, so that when He speaks, you see and hear it for what it is: Him reaching out, responding, and answering you.

Every person hears God in their own way. The best thing we can do is invest time in learning to discover how He is speaking to us and what He is saying to us.

His voice is the kindest, most loving, patient, and understanding I’ve ever heard—my hope is that this is what you experience too.

Winner of the Pencraft Book Award

This is a DOING book—designed to put legs on your God adventure. Where the testimony book is like a pillow to rest upon, this guidebook is your invitation to actively connect with the Father who loves you most.

It Helps You Understand God’s Heart So You Recognize His Voice

Here’s the thing about hearing God: His voice sounds like the fruit of the Spirit—loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, gentle, faithful.

His voice can sound like your own. It’s often a calming inner voice—not a loud, booming voice from the skies. A voice that carries His presence with it.

The more you understand His heart and nature, the more you recognize Him when He speaks.

That’s what this guidebook helps you do. Through the Father’s Heart sections, the questions, and the activations, you begin to attune to His heartbeat. You discover what His voice sounds like. You learn to see Him in the everyday moments you might have missed before.

“To know Me is to love Me. To love Me is to trust Me more deeply… Getting to know Me will be the richest decision you’ll ever make.” — from the God’s Character chapter

His Voice Is Kinder Than You Expect

One of the most beautiful discoveries in this journey is how kind God’s voice actually is.

His words are ALWAYS life-giving, truthful, kind, gentle, encouraging, and for your good. You have no need to fear when you take the time to listen to God.

He has celebrated with me, delighted in me, and enjoyed the moments where a single word of His opens a world of hope.

His voice is the kindest, most loving, patient, and understanding I’ve ever heard—my hope is that this is what you experience too.

Practical Ways to Connect—Not Just More to Read

Most devotionals give you more to read. This guidebook gives you things to do—practical ways to position yourself to hear God and experience His presence.

For each of the 16 chapters, you’ll find:

1. Father’s Heart — God’s tender voice speaking directly to you
2. Take Aways — Bite-sized wisdom for when you can’t absorb much
3. Questions to Ponder — Deep reflection prompts for personal time with God
4. Journal Space — Room to write your thoughts, revelations, insights
5. Worship Playlist — Curated songs to soak, worship, and declare
6. 8 Different Activations — Hands-on ways to connect with God (music, art, movement, nature, conversation, research, reflection, writing)
7. Personal Blessing — Receive the blessings you need for this season

The activations mean you’re not limited to just reading and writing. You can go for a walk and listen for God in nature. Create something with your hands. Discuss with a trusted friend. Move your body and pray. Whatever helps you connect.

Personal Blessings in Every Chapter

Each chapter ends with a personal blessing—words of life spoken over you for whatever you’re walking through.

These aren’t generic blessings. They’re specific to each topic:

• Blessings for rest when you’re weary
• Blessings for stillness when your mind races
• Blessings for trust when you’re afraid
• Blessings for listening when you long to hear Him

Receive the blessings you need. Let others remain on the shelf for later, or gift them to someone else.

This Guidebook Is For You If:

✅ You want to hear God’s voice but don’t know how — You’ve longed to hear Him speak to you personally, but you’re not sure what His voice sounds like or how to recognize it.

✅ You want to understand God’s heart so you recognize Him when He speaks — You want to know His nature so when He reaches out, you see and hear it for what it is—Him responding to you.

✅ You’ve always wanted to walk with God but never knew how — You’ve heard “press into God” but no one showed you what that actually looks like practically.

✅ You know God loves you but you want to experience it — You know it in your head, but you want to feel it, sense it, encounter it for yourself.

✅ You feel spiritually stuck and need practical next steps — You’re ready to DO something but don’t know where to start.

✅ Traditional devotionals haven’t worked for you — You need more than just reading and journaling. You want practical ways to actually connect.

✅ You’re ready to turn pain into deeper intimacy with God — Your hard season can become a doorway to experiencing Him like never before.

✅ You need guidance when devotions feel impossible — On your worst days, you need something flexible that doesn’t require much from you.

✅ You’re living with chronic illness or low energy — This was designed during ongoing illness—it understands limited capacity and offers flexible options.

✅ You’re caring for someone who is struggling — This makes a thoughtful, practical gift that helps them actually connect with God.

Use This Guidebook When:

• You’ve read Be Held By Him and want to go deeper
• You want to experience what Karen experienced for yourself
• You’re ready to move from reading about God to connecting with God
• You need fresh ways to engage when the old ways feel stale
• You want to discover how YOU uniquely connect with God
• You’re in a small group studying Be Held By Him
• You’re seeking practical spiritual growth tools

Give This Guidebook When:

• Someone has just read Be Held By Him and wants to go deeper
• A friend is seeking practical ways to connect with God
• It’s been 3-6 months since their crisis began and they’re ready to engage
• They say “I want to grow but don’t know how”
• You want to give something active, not just to read
• They’re in a Bible study or small group

This is the question so many of us ask. We’re told to pray, to “press into God,” to walk with Him—but what does that actually look like? Especially when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or spiritually dry?

“Karen’s guidebook is for everyone who has ever struggled to find God amid pain and hardship, for those who cry out ‘Yes, but HOW’ when the best advice they can find is to press into God.” — Julie Jones

This guidebook answers that question with practical, hands-on ways to connect:

You’ll discover:

• 8 different activation types for every chapter
• Specific questions to ask God about YOUR situation
• Worship playlists to help you enter His presence
• Journaling prompts when you don’t know what to write
• Creative ways to experience God beyond reading

“Karen doesn’t just talk about finding God, she offers a myriad of fresh new ideas and creative approaches that have inspired me to rethink, re-examine and recharge my own relationship with Him.” — Julie Jones

You’re not alone. Many people feel stuck when it comes to journaling. Maybe you don’t know what to write, or writing feels hard, or you’ve just never been a “journal person.”

This guidebook gives you options.

Journaling is just ONE of 8 activation types per chapter. If writing isn’t your thing, you have other ways to connect:

• Soak in worship music (Musical)
• Create art that reflects what God is showing you (Visual)
• Go for a walk and listen for God in nature (Naturalistic)
• Research Scripture and find patterns (Logical)
• Talk it through with a trusted friend (Interpersonal)
• Move your body and pray (Kinesthetic)
• Sit quietly and reflect (Intrapersonal)

Choose what helps you connect. You don’t have to do all of them.

God designed you uniquely. Why would your spiritual growth look the same as everyone else’s?

This guidebook recognizes that people connect with God in different ways:

• Some need to move to process
• Some need to create to understand
• Some need to research to believe
• Some need to talk to internalize
• Some need silence to hear

For each chapter, you get 8 different options:

Not sure which style is yours? Try them all and see which ones help you connect most deeply with God. You might be surprised!

“Author Karen Brough’s devotional is interactive as well as instructional. Each chapter is amazingly structured and themed. Well done!” — Katherine Webster

Can I really hear God’s voice?

Yes. And this guidebook shows you how to position yourself to hear Him.

Each chapter includes “Father’s Heart” sections—the actual words God whispered to Karen, taken straight from her personal journals. These show you what God’s voice can sound like.

Then the Questions to Ponder help you listen for His voice in YOUR situation:

• “What is God saying about this?”
• “Ask God to reveal…”
• “What do I sense God is showing me?”

“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

You’ll discover:

• What God’s voice can sound like
• How to position yourself to hear Him
• Questions to ask that help you listen
• How to recognize His voice from other voices

Low energy? This guidebook was designed for you.

I wrote this during a decade of chronic illness. I know what it’s like to have nothing left—not even energy to think straight.

That’s why this guidebook is designed to be flexible:

• On your hardest days: Just read the Take Aways (2 minutes) or Father’s Heart (3 minutes)
• On better days: Work through a full chapter at whatever pace you can manage
• No deadlines, no pressure: Go through it over months or years—it’s designed for that
• Choose what fits your energy: Some activations require more energy, some require almost none

“Not at all. Each element can be done in small pieces. On low energy days, just read the Take Aways or Father’s Heart section. Save the activations for better days. This was designed during ongoing illness—it understands limited capacity.”

This guidebook is practical help wrapped in beautiful packaging.

When someone you love is seeking to grow spiritually or struggling to connect with God, this guidebook:

✅ Meets them where they are — Multiple ways to engage means they’ll find something that works for them

✅ Doesn’t add pressure — No deadlines, no homework expectations, complete flexibility

✅ Provides real tools — Not just inspiration, but actual practical steps to connect with God

✅ Works for any learning style — Visual, musical, kinesthetic, verbal—something for everyone

✅ Offers real hope — From someone who tested these practices in real suffering

When to give it:

• With Be Held By Him (as a set)
• When they say “I want to grow but don’t know how”
• When they’re seeking fresh ways to connect with God
• For Bible study or small group use
• Any time they need practical spiritual tools

16 Chapters You Can Work Through 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 Myself
9. God’s Character — God’s Nature and Heart
10. Listening — Opening the Ears of My Heart
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:

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.

Take Aways — Bite-sized wisdom nuggets. Perfect for when you can’t absorb a lot of information or need to get straight to the point. Also great for returning to later as reminders.

Questions to Ponder — Deep reflection prompts for personal time with God. These help you apply what you’ve learned to YOUR situation.

Journal Space — Room to write your thoughts, ideas, revelations, and insights as you process with God.

Worship Playlist — Curated songs to soak, worship, declare, and inspire. Each playlist matches the chapter theme.

8 Different Activations — Practical ways to experience God based on how YOU’RE designed. Musical, Visual, Logical, Kinesthetic, Intrapersonal, Verbal, Interpersonal, Naturalistic.

Personal Blessing — Receive the blessings you need and want for this season.

Special Features:

📝 Take Aways in Bite-Sized Format — Beautiful, memorable nuggets you can return to again and again. Perfect for low-energy days.

🎵 Curated Worship Playlists — Songs selected to help you connect with God on each specific topic. Ready to add to your music app.

🎨 Creative Activations — Not just reading and writing—art, movement, nature, music, conversation. Something for every design.

📖 Scripture Throughout — Bible verses woven into every section to anchor you in God’s Word.

📑 Helpful Appendices — Extra resources on Rest, Village Life, Safe People, Kindness, Listening Foundations, and Life Checks.

Finally—A Book That Shows You HOW

“Through my years of being in church, I would hear statements like ‘Walk with God,’ but it never went any farther. I was never really told how to walk with God. Well, I just found the book that tells a person how to walk with God.” — Linda Stubblefield

“Karen’s guidebook is for everyone who has ever struggled to find God amid pain and hardship, for those who cry out ‘Yes, but HOW’ when the best advice they can find is to press into God.” — Julie Jones

“She gives you the tools to work through your own personal challenges applying what you have learned from her testimony.” — Narita

Unlike Any Other Guidebook

“This study is more creative than any other I have read in my 50+ years. It is encouraging, inspiring, heartfelt and even humorous at times.” — Julie Ransom

“I have never seen anything like this before and it is very unique.” — Narita

“The activations are easy to follow and bring you closer to God. Each chapter is amazingly structured and themed.” — Katherine Webster

Practical & Applicable

“Between the music playlists and the activations, it left you with practical ways to apply the chapter’s topic to your life.” — FeralKatie7

“Having read the book, the journal all the more personalizes and brings home the message in nugget form text and includes ‘activations’ for each chapter whereby this former teacher utilizes an integrated approach.” — Ltc Usage

“Relatable to those with diverse needs, this interactive journey provides revelations, reflections, and activations to guide you towards spiritual wellness.” — Kailei Malauskas

Worth Returning To

“This is a guidebook you will want to return to and reflect on from time to time, not just a ‘once and done’ read.” — Melissa Knight

“My recommendation is to date entries made in the companion journal and re-visit it time and again! LOVED this book and companion journal!!” — Ltc Usage

“A book you will want and will use over and over. The possibilities are endless!” — Narita

For Different Struggles

“This book and companion guide would be great for a women’s small group study.” — Connie Hill

“Recommend for believers facing hard times and getting back up again.” — Margarita Rose

“This is a wonderful book on developing a relationship with God and learning to let go and trust or have faith. Would recommend to anyone who feels lost or feeling stuck in life.” — Matthew Scigousky

Deeply Personal

“I felt like I was sitting down with a friend having coffee.” — Connie Hill

“No matter what stage of life you might be in, Karen Brough provides a beautiful perspective of the Savior’s love for us.” — Melissa Knight

“There are no ‘shoulds’ in this book—only compassion, love, and hope.” — Anna Hoffman

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.

Sample Take Aways from Chapter 1 (Rest):

• God’s rest doesn’t demand; it invites.
• Rest is not only a position of the body but a state of the mind and heart.
• Rest gives me permission to simply BE before Him.
• Intimacy with God is sown and grown in rest.
• God values me for who I am more than my doing or ability.
• Each time I choose to step into rest draws me nearer to God.
• Rest can travel with me wherever I go.
• God is at the center of rest.

Sample Activation from Chapter 1 (Rest):

KINESTHETIC / BODILY: Close your eyes and become aware of your breathing. As your body and mind are stilled before the Lord, let Him bring you His peace… His rest… as you are simply before Him. Lay aside the busyness for the moment. Physically use your arms to symbolically lay down all else before Him. Let this be a place where you only pick up what God is giving you.

Sample Blessing from Chapter 1 (Rest):

I bless you, treasured one, with rest from any weariness.

Be blessed as you learn to momentarily step out of the chaos to simply be before Him.

Bless you in learning the easy yoke and light burden of the Lord.

I bless you with His peace. His stillness. His quietening.

I bless you with the knowledge and understanding that you are worthy, loved, and cherished by the Creator of the universe, who Himself gave you permission to step into rest, by modelling His rest to you.

Format: Paperback

Length: 360+ pages of interactive content

Structure: 16 chapters (use in any order)

Use: Standalone OR with Be Held By Him

Best For: Adults seeking practical spiritual growth—chronic illness, spiritual dryness, new Christians, those wanting to hear God, all learning styles

Awards: Pencraft Book Award Winner (Be Held By Him series)

Origin: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

ISBN: 978-0-6452451-4-1 (Paperback)

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.

Each testimony book (BEING) has a Companion Guidebook (DOING).

Book 1: Be Held By Him + Companion Guidebook (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 • God’s Character • Listening • God’s Presence • Prayer • Weakness • Small Things • Practical Survival Tips • Village Life

Testimony Book: Read to be encouraged by what God did This Guidebook: Work through to experience it yourself

Book 2: Take a Breath With Him + Companion Guidebook

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 + Companion Guidebook

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 Should You Start With?

Start where you are:

• In crisis? Need to be held? → Start with Be Held By Him (testimony), then this guidebook when ready to engage
• Ready to DO something? → Start with Be Held By Him Companion Guidebook (this book)
• Stabilizing but not normal? → Start with Take a Breath With Him series
• Ready for fresh beginnings? → Start with Take a Step With Him series

Each book stands alone. Each guidebook can be used alone or with its companion testimony book.

Do I need to read Be Held By Him first?

No! This guidebook can stand alone. Each chapter includes:

• Father’s Heart sections (God’s voice to you)
• Enough context to work through independently
• Complete reflection and activation sections

However, using both together creates a richer, deeper experience. The testimony book gives you the full story; the guidebook helps you experience it for yourself.

I’m not good at journaling. Can I still use this?

Absolutely! Journaling is just ONE of 8 activation types per chapter.

Choose what fits YOU:

• Draw or create art (Visual)
• Move and dance (Kinesthetic)
• Research Scripture (Logical)
• Worship with music (Musical)
• Process with friends (Interpersonal)
• Reflect quietly (Intrapersonal)
• Experience God outdoors (Naturalistic)
• Write OR just think (Linguistic)

I have low energy. Is this too much?

Not at all. This guidebook was designed during ongoing chronic illness—it understands limited capacity.

On your hardest days:

• Just read the Take Aways (2 minutes)
• Or just the Father’s Heart (3 minutes)
• Skip the activations entirely

On better days:

• Work through questions at your own pace
• Try an activation that fits your energy
• No timeline, no pressure, no guilt

How is this different from other devotional workbooks?

Most devotionals are designed for linguistic learners—people who love to read, write, and journal. If that’s not you, they can feel like a chore.

This guidebook offers 8 different ways to engage EVERY chapter—art, music, movement, nature, research, conversation, reflection, AND writing. So whether you’re a reader or not, you’ll find ways to connect with God that fit how He designed you.

It was also created during ongoing chronic illness—not after recovery—so it understands limited capacity. And the focus is on understanding God’s heart and nature so you recognize His voice, not just learning information about Him.

Can I use this in a small group?

Yes! This guidebook works beautifully for:

• Women’s Bible studies
• Small groups going through Be Held By Him
• Prayer groups wanting practical tools
• Support groups for chronic illness
• Individual study with sharing time

The Questions to Ponder make great discussion starters, and the varied activations mean everyone can engage in their own way.

I’m new to faith. Is this for me?

Yes! Several readers have specifically mentioned this guidebook is perfect for:

• New Christians
• Christians struggling with “God time”
• Christians who want to develop biblical disciplines but don’t know where to start
• Christians seeking fresh, creative ways to engage with Scripture and connect with God
• Christians coming out of legalism who want to rediscover joy in their faith

“I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to someone new to Christianity or coming out of legalism.” — Karin

“Karen doesn’t just talk about finding God, she offers a myriad of fresh new ideas and creative approaches.”

That’s what makes this guidebook different. It doesn’t just tell you to connect with God—it shows you how.

Be Held By Him Companion Guidebook will give you practical, hands-on ways to experience God for yourself—through 8 different learning styles, at whatever pace you can manage, with the flexibility your season requires.

Available in:

• 📖 Paperback
• 📱 Kindle eBook

Special Offer: Order together with Be Held By Him (testimony book) for the complete experience

Start Here (Crisis Seasons): Be Held By Him (Testimony Book) → The being book—to be encouraged and held

You Are Here: Be Held By Him Companion Guidebook The doing book—to experience God yourself

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

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 Pencraft Book Award, International Book Awards, and Firebird Book Awards, and been recognized as a finalist for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Award and Montaigne Medal.

“Dedicated to those who have always wanted to walk with God but never knew how. And to the brave ones, the creative ones, the ones who need a fresh injection of hope and connection with their Creator. This is for you precious ones.”

Website: www.karenbrough.com

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

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