Celebration. Childlike Faith. Declaration. Praise and Worship. Creativity. Authority.

God is already speaking. The question is—do you know how to recognize His voice?

The Take a Breath With Him Companion Guidebook explores 15 different ways God speaks to us and connects with us: through celebration, childlike faith, declaration, spiritual armor, praise, pictures, prayer ministry, love, thoughts, timely words, truth, friends, fun, creativity, and authority.

Each chapter helps you intentionally foster awareness of Him in that area—so you begin to notice when He’s reaching out, recognize what His voice sounds like, and respond to His presence in your everyday life.

But here’s the thing: every person connects with God differently.

Some of us need to move our bodies to process. Some need to create art. Some need to research Scripture. Some need to talk it through with a friend. Some need silence.

That’s why this guidebook offers 8 different ways to engage with EVERY chapter—so you can explore and discover how YOU best foster awareness of God when He speaks.

This isn’t about following a formula. It’s about trying different practices and noticing which ones help you hear Him, sense Him, experience Him. You might be surprised by what resonates.

What you’ll explore:

• How to recognize God’s voice (it’s kinder than you expect)
• Practical ways to foster awareness when you don’t know where to start
• Creative activations for every learning style
• Father’s Heart sections—God’s tender words directly to you
• Personal blessings spoken over your specific situation

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 Global Book Award in Religion and Spirituality

This is a DOING book—designed to help you explore and discover how God wants to connect with you. Where the testimony book is like a quilt to snuggle under, this guidebook is your invitation to actively explore your own relationship 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.”

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 15 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 celebration when you’re learning to rejoice again
• Blessings for childlike faith when life has made you cautious
• Blessings for declaration when you need breakthrough
• Blessings for authority when you need to stand firm

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’re ready to move from surviving to thriving — You’re past the initial crisis and ready to actively grow, not just get through the day.

✅ 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 your stabilizing season into deeper intimacy with God — This in-between space 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 rebuilding — This makes a thoughtful, practical gift that helps them actively connect with God.

Use This Guidebook When:

• You’ve read Take a Breath With Him and want to go deeper
• You want to discover how God might want to connect with YOU
• You’re ready to explore different ways of experiencing His presence
• You need fresh ways to engage when the old ways feel stale
• You want to try various practices and see what resonates
• You’re in a small group studying Take a Breath With Him
• You’re seeking practical spiritual growth tools
• You’re past crisis and ready to actively rebuild

Give This Guidebook When:

• Someone has just read Take a Breath With Him and wants to go deeper
• A friend is seeking practical ways to connect with God
• They’re past the initial crisis and ready to actively 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
• They’re rebuilding after a hard season

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 rebuilding and need practical next steps?

“Have you always wanted to be closer to God but didn’t know where to start? Karen’s guidebook for Take A Breath With Him is a way to realise that heartfelt desire. Her incredible insight and gentle encouragement combine to bless the reader with a veritable smorgasbord of practical exercises, and innovative ideas to choose from.” — 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

“I was challenged to want to further develop my relationship with God as I realised there was so much more I could have. Karen’s pathway works! So take the plunge and go all out to immerse yourself in this book and watch your relationship with your Heavenly Dad be transformed.” — 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—and invites you to explore and discover what works for you:

• 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 to try:

Not sure which style is yours? That’s the adventure! Try them all and see which ones help you connect most deeply with God. You might be surprised by what resonates.

“This book has helped me connect with the Lord through her Spirit-inspired activities so that I may live a more vibrant life with Jesus woven throughout.” — Sarah de Orlando

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?”

“I love how Karen helps guide the reader through several ways to connect and commune with the Lord, expanding on her stories from Take A Breath With Him.” — Sarah de Orlando

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

“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 past the crisis and ready to rebuild spiritually, 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 and recovery

When to give it:

• With Take a Breath With 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
• When they’re ready to move from surviving to thriving

15 Chapters You Can Work Through in Any Order:

1. Celebration — How Do I Celebrate in the In-Between?
2. Childlike Faith — Simple Trust Like a Child
3. Declaration — The Power of Speaking Forth
4. Armor Up — Wearing Your Spiritual Protection
5. Praise and Worship — Shifting Atmospheres
6. Pictures — Seeing What God Shows You
7. Prayer Ministry — Receiving Prayer from Others
8. Love — Experiencing God’s Affection
9. Thoughts — Renewing Your Mind
10. Timely Words — Hearing God Through Others
11. Truth Versus Lies — Discerning What’s Real
12. Friends — God’s Little Angels
13. Fun — Rediscovering What You Enjoy
14. Creativity — Expressing Through Making
15. Authority — Victor Not Victim Anymore

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 to deepen your journey.

Finally—A Resource That Shows You HOW

“Have you always wanted to be closer to God but didn’t know where to start? Karen’s guidebook for Take A Breath With Him is a way to realise that heartfelt desire. Her incredible insight and gentle encouragement combine to bless the reader with a veritable smorgasbord of practical exercises, and innovative ideas to choose from.” — Julie Jones

“I was challenged to want to further develop my relationship with God as I realised there was so much more I could have. Karen’s pathway works! So take the plunge and go all out to immerse yourself in this book and watch your relationship with your Heavenly Dad be transformed.” — Julie Jones

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

“Karen has written about her personal testimony in a way that it felt as if I was reading my own story; she leads the reader through beautiful ways of working through grief and pain and finding joy and inspiration, all with a refreshing perspective.” — Julie Ransom

Practical & Applicable

“This companion journal is a beautiful encouragement and resource I will return to time and time again. I love how Karen helps guide the reader through several ways to connect and commune with the Lord, expanding on her stories from Take A Breath With Him.” — Sarah de Orlando

“Many times in my walk with Jesus, I’ve felt I just need to read the Bible more. Although that is a part of it, this book has helped me connect with the Lord through her Spirit-inspired activities so that I may live a more vibrant life with Jesus woven throughout.” — Sarah de Orlando

Potent Wisdom in Tangible Doses

“Karen packs so much truth and encouragement into these bite sized chapters that we can all read intentionally to contemplate, process, and apply daily. I would highly recommend Take a Breath With Him. It is one of those books that has such potent wisdom from Heaven in tangible doses.” — Sonya Loso

Breathing in God Like Never Before

“The reader learns how to breathe in God like never before; I can’t wait for the next book!” — Julie Ransom

Even Editors Get Impacted

“As an editor of this life-changing book, I found myself stopping to consider the content and how to apply Karen’s thoughts to my life instead of checking the grammar! Of course, I had to backtrack—numerous times—to be sure I had done my job. Karen Brough has written a sequel to ‘Be Held By Him- Finding God When Life Knocks You Off Your Feet’, that takes the believer one more step toward a closer walk with our Lord and Savior. Thank you, Karen, for your transparency as you share your walk with other Christians.” — Linda Stubblefield

See for yourself what makes this guidebook different.

Each chapter is beautifully designed with artistic layouts, decorative elements, and plenty of space for your own reflections. Here’s what you’ll find inside:

Interior Page Spreads:

Each chapter opens with “Father’s Heart”—God’s voice speaking directly to you. These are the actual words He whispered to Karen, taken from her personal journals.

Bite-sized wisdom nuggets in beautiful, memorable format. Perfect for low-energy days when you need encouragement at a glance.

Deep reflection prompts with plenty of room to write your thoughts, revelations, and conversations with God.

This is what makes this guidebook unique—8 different ways to engage with EVERY chapter. Visual, Musical, Logical, Kinesthetic, Intrapersonal, Linguistic, Interpersonal, Naturalistic. Try them all and discover which ones help you connect most deeply with God.

Curated songs to help you connect with God on each topic, plus personal blessings spoken over your specific situation.

Sample Activation Types from Chapter 1 (Celebration):

Here’s a taste of the 8 different activation options you’ll find in every chapter:

🎨 VISUAL: Create a visual representation of something worth celebrating in your life. Use colors that express joy.

🎵 MUSICAL: Listen to the celebration playlist. Which song makes your heart lift? Worship with it.

🔍 LOGICAL: Research Scripture passages about celebration, joy, and thanksgiving. What patterns emerge?

🏃 KINESTHETIC: Choose something physical to celebrate today—a special drink, a walk, putting on music and moving. Let your body express gratitude.

🤔 INTRAPERSONAL: Sit quietly and ask God: “What small wins have I missed? What do You want to celebrate with me?”

✍️ LINGUISTIC: Write about a recent moment worth celebrating—even a small one. Why does it matter?

👥 INTERPERSONAL: Share with a trusted friend something you’re grateful for. Celebrate together.

🌿 NATURALISTIC: Go outside and notice what God has made. Let creation remind you of His goodness worth celebrating.

Format: Paperback & Kindle eBook

Length: 300+ pages of interactive content

Structure: 15 chapters (use in any order)

Use: Standalone OR with Take a Breath With Him

Best For: Adults seeking practical spiritual growth—chronic illness, ongoing recovery, rebuilding after crisis, all learning styles

Awards: 🏆 Global Book Award Winner in Religion and Spirituality

Part of the award-winning Be Held By Him series — also featuring Firebird Book Awards Winner, International Book Awards Winner, Book of the Year Winner, and finalists for the Eric Hoffer Award and Montaigne Medal.

Origin: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

ISBN: 978-0-6451515-5-8 (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

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

Book 2: Take a Breath With Him + Companion Guidebook (You Are Here)

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 series
• Stabilizing but not normal? → Start with Take a Breath With Him (testimony), then this guidebook when ready to engage
• Ready to DO something? → Start with Take a Breath With Him Companion Guidebook (this book)
• 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 Take a Breath With 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 Take a Breath With Him
• Prayer groups wanting practical tools
• Support groups for chronic illness or ongoing struggles
• 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! 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

“Karen’s pathway works! So take the plunge and go all out to immerse yourself in this book and watch your relationship with your Heavenly Dad be transformed.”

That’s what makes this guidebook different. It doesn’t just tell you to connect with God—it gives you a variety of ways to explore and discover how He wants to speak with you today.

Take a Breath With Him Companion Guidebook will give you practical, hands-on ways to explore your connection with God—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 Take a Breath With Him (testimony book) for the complete experience

Start Here (Crisis Seasons): Be Held By Him (Book 1) → Be Held By Him Companion Guidebook →

The Main Book for This Guidebook: Take a Breath With Him (Testimony Book) → The being book—to be encouraged and held

You Are Here: Take a Breath With Him Companion Guidebook The doing book—to experience God yourself

Next in the Series: Take a Step With Him (Book 3) → Take a Step With Him Companion Guidebook → 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 testimony

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

Website: www.karenbrough.com

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

Social Media: