You’re in that in-between space.

Some days are better. Some moments you catch your breath. But you’re not quite sure who you are now, or where you’re headed.

Take a Breath With Him is for this season—when you’re getting back on your feet, finding your rhythm again, learning to notice God’s presence in the ordinary moments of life.

This is where we discover something beautiful: God’s miraculous fingerprints are EVERYWHERE.

In the twirl on the beach you didn’t think you’d ever do again.
In your child’s simple prayer that heals your thumb instantly.
In the land you declared over for nine years without realizing it.
In the armor that finally brings peaceful sleep.

This is Book 2—for when you’re stabilizing, breathing again, and ready to experience God in fresh, tangible ways.

Testimonies of God’s Miraculous Presence

This isn’t a book of theology or principles. It’s 15 true stories of how God showed up in everyday, unexpected ways during Karen’s ongoing journey with chronic illness.

You’ll discover:

• Celebration: How God gave Karen a vision of twirling on the beach—years before she could actually twirl again
• Childlike Faith: Three powerful lessons from Karen’s children about simple trust
• Declaration: The land she unknowingly declared over for 9 years that became their home
• Armor Up: How spiritual armor brought peaceful sleep to her terrified son
• And 11 more real stories of God’s tangible help

“Karen’s firsthand experience, her pain and triumph story, reveals a God who is on our side, and who is both interested and engaged.” — Julie Jones

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

“Father’s Heart” Love Letters From God

After each story, God speaks directly to YOU through “Father’s Heart” sections—tender words of encouragement, truth, and love.

“Take a Breath With Him is a beautifully written book of encouraging stories. It’s a whisper, ‘I love you. I am always with you,’ from the Lord as you face hard seasons with fresh grace.” — Sarah De Orlando, Author & Speaker

These aren’t Karen’s interpretations. These are the love letters God whispered to her that she’s passing on to you—reminders that you’re seen, loved, and never alone.

Written FROM the Middle, Not After

Karen wrote this while still navigating chronic mystery illness—not from the victory side, but right in the stabilizing season.

She knows what it’s like when:

• You have occasional better days but still struggle
• You’re finding a rhythm but it’s unpredictable
• You wonder if you’ll ever feel “normal” again
• You need hope that doesn’t minimize the ongoing reality
• You long to see God’s presence in ordinary moments

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

Written FROM the Middle, Not After

Karen wrote this while still navigating chronic mystery illness—not from the victory side, but right in the stabilizing season.

She knows what it’s like when:

• You have occasional better days but still struggle
• You’re finding a rhythm but it’s unpredictable
• You wonder if you’ll ever feel “normal” again
• You need hope that doesn’t minimize the ongoing reality
• You long to see God’s presence in ordinary moments

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

You’ll Love This Book If:

You’re in the stabilizing season:

• Past the worst crisis but not fully recovered
• Occasional better days mixed with setbacks
• Finding rhythm but it’s unpredictable
• Rebuilding identity and purpose
• Looking for God’s presence in everyday moments

You’re navigating ongoing challenges:

• Chronic illness years into the journey
• Long recovery from trauma or loss
• Ongoing grief that comes in waves
• Rebuilding life after major change
• Learning your “new normal”

You want to experience God tangibly:

• Tired of just reading about God
• Want real testimonies of His miracles
• Need to know He’s still working
• Long to hear His voice personally
• Desire practical ways to connect with Him

You’re ready for more than survival:

• Moving from “held” to “breathing”
• Ready to celebrate small wins
• Want to cultivate childlike faith
• Need tools for spiritual warfare
• Looking for hope in the ongoing journey

How can I experience God’s presence in my everyday life?

This book shows you exactly how—through 15 real-life stories of God showing up in ordinary moments.

“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

You’ll learn to recognize God in:

• Visions and pictures He gives you
• Your children’s simple faith
• Words you declare (even unknowingly)
• Timely encouragement from friends
• Moments of creativity and fun
• Small celebrations along the way

Each chapter includes:

• Karen’s honest story
• “Father’s Heart” – God’s voice to YOU
• Prayer – words you can pray

I need to know God is still working, even though my situation hasn’t fully resolved. Will this book help?

Yes. This book is FULL of testimonies of God’s miraculous presence in ongoing struggle.

Real miracles you’ll read about:

• A crushed thumb instantly healed through a 4-year-old’s prayer
• A vision of twirling that gave hope for years before it came true
• Declaring over land for 9 years that miraculously became their home
• Spiritual armor that stopped terrifying nightmares
• God speaking through pictures, words, and everyday moments

This isn’t “name it and claim it” or fake positivity. These are genuine testimonies of God’s tangible help in the ongoing journey.

I’m not in crisis anymore, but I’m not “back to normal” either. Is there a book for this in-between season?

Yes! This is exactly what Take a Breath With Him is for.

This book is for when:

• You’ve survived the worst but don’t feel fully recovered
• Some days are better, some days are setbacks
• You’re finding a rhythm but it’s unpredictable
• You’re asking “who am I now?” and “where do I go from here?”
• You need encouragement for the ongoing journey

The chapters address:

• Celebrating small wins when progress is slow
• Cultivating childlike faith and trust
• Declaring God’s truth over your situation
• Spiritual warfare and protection
• Recognizing God’s voice and guidance
• Renewing your mind with truth
• Finding fun and creativity again
• Moving from victim to victor

Can I really learn to hear God speak to me personally?

Absolutely—and this book shows you multiple ways He speaks.

God speaks through:

Pictures and Visions (Chapter 6)
Karen saw herself twirling on a beach years before she could actually walk well. That vision sustained her hope.

Childlike Faith (Chapter 2)
Her 4-year-old son prayed “God, please fix Mummy’s thinger” and her crushed thumb was instantly healed.

Declaration (Chapter 3)
For 9 years, Karen unknowingly declared “We’re going to live there one day” over a piece of land—which miraculously became theirs.

Timely Words (Chapter 10)
Friends speaking encouragement at exactly the right moment.

“Father’s Heart” Sections
God’s tender voice speaking directly to YOU after each chapter.

I have chronic illness and I’m past the initial crisis, but still struggling. Will this book understand where I am?

Deeply. Karen wrote this during year 3+ of chronic mystery illness—past crisis, but still navigating daily challenges.

This book speaks to:

• Army-crawling across the carpet because you’re so exhausted
• Celebrating small wins like moving from crawling to stepping
• Wrestling with identity: “Who am I if I can’t do what I used to?”
• Finding joy and creativity again despite limitations
• Experiencing God’s miraculous help in practical ways

Perfect for:

• Autoimmune diseases and chronic conditions
• Long recovery from health crisis
• Ongoing mystery illness
• When progress is slow and non-linear
• Finding your “new normal”

I survived the crisis spiritually, but how do I grow from here?

This book shows you how to move from survival to experiencing God richly.

Chapters that build spiritual strength:

• Celebration: Attuning to the wins of life
• Childlike Faith: Learning from children’s simple trust
• Armor Up: Spiritual protection in warfare
• Praise and Worship: Giving God a gift
• Truth Versus Lies: Upgrading life through truth
• Authority: Victor not victim anymore

Each chapter offers:

• Real testimony of how it worked for Karen
• God’s voice speaking to you personally
• Practical ways to apply it in your life
• Prayer you can pray

Inside the Book: 15 Stories of God’s Presence

Each chapter includes:

• Karen’s True Story – honest, real, sometimes raw
• “Father’s Heart” – God’s tender voice speaking to YOU
• Prayer – heartfelt words you can pray

Read in any order. Start where your heart needs to:

1. Celebration: Attuning to the Wins of Life
2. Childlike Faith: My Three Teachers
3. Declaration: The Power of Our Words
4. Armor Up: The Battle Is Real
5. Praise and Worship: Giving God a Gift
6. Pictures: God Speaks through the Visual
7. Prayer Ministry: Heart-to-Heart Time with God
8. Love: Designed and Destined for Love
9. Thoughts: Renewing the Mind
10. Timely Words: God Gifts at the Perfect Time
11. Truth Versus Lies: Upgrading Life through Truth
12. Friends: God’s Little Angels
13. Fun: Do I Remember What I Enjoy?
14. Creativity: Sewn Birds from the Uncreative Chick
15. Authority: Victor Not Victim Anymore

Plus:

• Beautiful illustrated Journey Map
• Personal letter from Karen to you
• Explanation of the autumn leaf on the cover
• Encouragement for connecting with God yourself

A Healing, Hope-Filled Journey:

“Take a Breath With Him takes the reader on a poignant, honest, very real, and sometimes raw journey. Yet it is a healing, uplifting, joyous and always hope-filled journey. Karen’s firsthand experience, her pain and triumph story, reveals a God who is on our side, and who is both interested and engaged.” — Julie Jones

“It is a heartfelt celebration of The One Who Will Never Leave You or Forsake You, and His love, patience, and mercy for His hurting children. The One who will love us through the pains and the joys of life will heal us from the inside out, and bit by bit, change us into better versions of ourselves.” — Julie Jones

A Whisper of Love From God:

“Take a Breath With Him is a beautifully written book of encouraging stories. It’s a whisper, ‘I love you. I am always with you,’ from the Lord as you face hard seasons with fresh grace.”
— Sarah De Orlando, Author, Speaker, and Chief-Hope-Giver

Practical and Spirit-Led:

“Karen does a wonderful job of blending her experiences with the truth and brings the reader into this journey of slowing down to truly be guided by Holy Spirit. 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

Most Creative and Encouraging:

“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. 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

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

From Chapter 1: Celebration

I army crawled across the carpet, back to bed to recover from the expansive four-meter trip from bathroom to pillow. Taking a moment to catch my breath, my weighty head drooped down with the burden of my predicament.

How much longer will it be, Lord? When will it end? Every day is the same. Will it always be like this?

Tears flowed—how typical of me now.

Why? Why is this happening to me? I don’t understand. What have I done to get here? Am I being punished? Did I do or not do something? God, help.

In an instant, I saw a picture unfold in my mind’s eye.

My favourite beach.

Each wave, the gentle roll of its power, building, building…and then release, collapsing upon the shore like a perfectly positioned row of dominoes. So rhythmic and predictable.

The wet sand, squishy, squashy, squelch, as it wriggled between my toes, was familiar and comforting.

What a delight to be here, Lord!

The sun beamed down upon my skin and warmed it.

My entire body experiencing the calming effect of this gift from Him. An escape, if but for a moment. As if an onlooker, the scene panned out.

Beside me, Jesus waded into the shallows. His wide reassuring smile and glistening eyes remained fixed upon me.

You are safe. I am here. You are not alone.

Continuing to move along the beach together, I noted that I was not walking as Jesus did.

No.

I wasn’t crawling as I had done in the natural.

I wasn’t shuffling as I had done since the collapse.

I wasn’t walking as I once had. I was twirling…

Twirling? Yes, twirling!

How am I twirling, Lord? Twirling is impossible.

Sadness and dread pecked at the corners of my mind as this physical reality endeavoured to steal the sweetness of the moment.

Remember the joy, My child. There is always something to celebrate when I am with you.

A quick shake of the head and the pesky thoughts dropped away. Twirling is impossible for me, but watching this scene, it feels so real…so possible.

Physically experiencing the reality of “might twirl.”

A hope seed was sown.

Father’s Heart:

“The heavens are a place of celebration. I have an endless party going on in heaven, as My children come to Me.

“I celebrate with you as you come to Me in relationship, telling me about the highs and lows of life.

“I know what is to come, and it looks very bright for you.

“When you celebrate the wins (of which there are many), a heartbeat of thankfulness is cultivated. I place these moments, these opportunities, these beacons of light amid the dark—so that you know you are never alone.

“I am with you always.”

Prayer:

Precious Father who loves to celebrate and give me vision for the wins, You love to turn things right side up. I love this about You. Help me carry Your vision, celebrating the wins along the way. Thank You for giving me markers of celebration at any moment, whatever I am walking through. Thank You for coming to give me abundant life, hope and a future. Amen.

xxxxx

Format: Paperback, Kindle eBook

Length: 15 chapters

Structure: Read in any order, start where you need

Reading Time: 15-20 minutes per chapter

Best For: Ages 16 and up

Perfect For: Stabilizing season, ongoing challenges, experiencing God’s presence

Origin: Written in Melbourne, Australia during ongoing chronic illness journey

ISBN: 9780645151541 (paperback)

This is Book 2 in a transformative three-part journey:

📖 Book 1: BE HELD BY HIM

Finding God When Life Knocks You Off Your Feet

When you’re in: Crisis, collapse, depths, can’t function
What you need: Rest, survival, to know you’re held
Energy level: Very low—for your most exhausted moments
Focus: God holds you when you can’t hold on

God’s message: “You could sit on this couch for the rest of your life, and I could not love you any more than I do right now.”

🌬️ Book 2: TAKE A BREATH WITH HIM (This Book)

Experiencing God When You’re Getting Back On Your Feet

When you’re in: Stabilizing, occasional better days, finding rhythm
What you need: God’s presence in small moments, testimonies of His help
Energy level: Low to moderate
Focus: Noticing God’s miraculous fingerprints in everyday life

What’s inside: 15 true stories of God’s tangible presence—visions, healings, declarations, protection, and everyday miracles

👣 Book 3: TAKE A STEP WITH HIM

Adventuring With God Into Fresh Beginnings

When you’re in: Ready for fresh beginnings, looking forward
What you need: Courage to step into new seasons
Energy level: Moderate—ready for forward movement
Focus: New beginnings, adventure with God, embracing hope

What’s inside: Real-life stories of new chapters, uplifting messages, encouragement for your next steps

📓 Companion Guidebooks Available

For each book, there’s a Companion Guidebook with:

• Journaling prompts and reflection questions
• Worship practices and activations
• Tools for deeper connection with God
• Group discussion questions

Use when you’re ready for more interaction—or skip if you just need to receive.

Each book stands alone. Start where you are on your journey.

Where should I start in the series?

Start with whichever book matches your current season:

• Book 1 (Be Held By Him): Crisis, collapse, can’t function
• Book 2 (Take a Breath With Him): Stabilizing, occasional better days
• Book 3 (Take a Step With Him): Ready for fresh beginnings

Each book stands alone, but many readers love the full journey.

Is this only for people with chronic physical illness?

Not at all. Readers have found encouragement for:

• Chronic illness and long recovery
• Grief and loss that comes in waves
• Life transitions and rebuilding
• Spiritual growth after crisis
• Anyone in an ongoing tough season

“It felt as if I was reading my own story.” — Julie Ransom

Will this book promise miracles or healing?

This book shares REAL testimonies of God’s miraculous help—but Karen is still chronically ill as she writes. The miracles aren’t about circumstances fully resolving, but about God’s tangible presence in the ongoing journey.

Examples:

• A vision of twirling that brought hope (years before it came true)
• Instant healing of a crushed thumb
• Land declared over for 9 years that became their home
• Spiritual armor that brought peaceful sleep

These aren’t made-up stories—they’re real experiences of God showing up.

Can I just read parts of it?

Yes! Read chapters in any order. Skip to what speaks to your heart. Put it down and pick it back up. There’s no “right way” to read this book.

Is there a study guide?

Yes! The Take a Breath With Him Companion Guidebook includes:

• Journaling prompts and reflection
• Worship practices
• Activations for experiencing God
• Group discussion questions

Use it alongside the main book or on its own.

How is this different from Book 1?

Book 1 (Be Held By Him): For crisis and collapse—focuses on REST, survival, God holding you
Book 2 (Take a Breath With Him): For stabilizing—focuses on EXPERIENCING God’s presence in everyday moments through real testimonies

Book 1 is companionship in the depths.
Book 2 is testimonies of God’s miraculous help in the ongoing journey.

Does this replace therapy or medical treatment?

No. This is spiritual encouragement alongside professional care—never instead of it. Karen continues to see medical professionals. She doesn’t offer medical advice.

This Might Not Be For You If:

You’re looking for:

❌ Quick fixes or “3 steps to breakthrough”
❌ Theological study or doctrine deep-dive
❌ A fully resolved “I’m healed” testimony
❌ Theory without real-life examples
❌ Reading without application

This IS for you if you need:

✅ Real testimonies of God’s miraculous help
✅ Hope in ongoing struggle (not just resolved crisis)
✅ Practical ways to experience God yourself
✅ Encouragement that life can be rich even when hard
✅ God’s voice speaking tenderly to you
✅ Companionship in the stabilizing season
✅ Tools for spiritual growth and warfare

Precious reader,

I wish I could promise you that life will send you nothing but rainbows, lollipops and perfect cups of coffee (although the coffee might sound pretty good to most of you right about now.) That you will have a life without hard times, challenges or mysteries, but this (in my experience) simply isn’t reality.

Yes, you will have the mountain tops, but there are valleys as well. I hope this book will help raise those valleys up and bring those peaks within your reach, as you reach for Him, who makes all things possible.

Take a Breath With Him is for those people in the middle of tough seasons.

Where circumstances aren’t what they used to be, but they aren’t quite resolved either. Maybe you don’t know where you are headed in this, who you will be at the end, how you are going to get through. If so, you are in good company.

Take heart, the finish line of this season is in sight!

As with book series one, Be Held By Him, I pray this handful of stories will plant seeds of hope, breakthrough and the miraculous, in your own journey with God.

Every person who desires to connect with Him, I believe, will not be disappointed.

I am steadily learning that God is an experiential God. He loves to bring practical, tangible helps, allowing us to experience Him and His heart of love for us.

He does this simply because He wants to be in relationship with you. You are one of His extra special ones and He loves you so much. He loves nothing better than to interact with you and share the ‘oh so good’ plans He has for you, right now. Yes, even when things are bizarre, hard or mysterious.

I pray these stories will inspire you to attune to Father’s personal rhythm of life, just for you. Breathing with the One who knows what the next chapter holds, and can show you how to get there in the best way possible.

With so much love,

Karen
xxxxx

Read Take a Breath With Him When:

• You’ve survived the worst but aren’t “back to normal”
• Some days are better, some days are setbacks
• You’re finding a rhythm but it’s unpredictable
• You need testimonies that God is still working
• You want to experience His presence in everyday moments
• You’re rebuilding identity and purpose
• You long for hope in the ongoing journey
• You need to celebrate small wins
• You’re ready to move from survival to experiencing God richly
• You want practical tools for spiritual growth

Give Take a Breath With Him When:

• Someone is past the initial crisis but still struggling
• They’re in long-term recovery or chronic situation
• They need encouragement that God is present in the ongoing
• They’re looking for real testimonies of God’s help
• They want to grow spiritually, not just survive
• They need hope that life can be rich even when hard
• It’s been 6-12 months since the crisis began
• They’re asking “where do I go from here?”

Let these testimonies remind you: God’s miraculous fingerprints are everywhere. You just need eyes to see them.

Available in:

• 📖 Paperback
• 📱 Kindle eBook

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

Go Deeper:
Take a Breath With Him Companion Guidebook →
Journaling, reflection, worship practices, activations

Start at the Beginning:
Be Held By Him (Book 1) →
For crisis and collapse seasons

Next Steps:
Take a Step With Him (Book 3) →
For fresh beginnings and forward movement

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 lives in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 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 miraculous presence in everyday moments.

“The reader learns how to breathe in God like never before.” — Julie Ransom

Website: www.karenbrough.com

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

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