My brother had just been released from prison again… a revolving door of entries and exits over years.

Now a relative stranger, addiction had stolen so much from him and our family. Although God had healed and redeemed so much in him, I was playing emotional catch-up.

So much emotion. So much history. So much pain. I feel stuck, Lord.

My healing has been in a stall pattern for 20 years.

The mystery of not knowing where he was, if I would still have my brother at all, or whether the early trauma would steal him completely from us—it was a middle death.

No way to move forward, no way to move back to who we once were.

How do I move forward, Lord? How do I embrace the man before me with so much history behind us? So much has been stolen.

I was a mess of anger and grief—which wrestled with hope and delight as I saw his joy.

Then God whispered:

“It’s time to lament, My child.”

Lament? Images of sackcloth and waves of tears came to mind.

I don’t want to be sad; I don’t want to spend the week crying. How will this impact my family? What if I start crying and can’t stop?

“Don’t overthink it. It’ll be better than you imagine. Trust Me. I’ll show you how to begin.”

Seven days. God led me through a process of lamenting—pouring out 20 years of uncensored pain to Him alone. Day by day, He walked me through it: write it ALL, how it impacted my childhood family, how it impacted my own family, the timeline of emotions, then God’s presence in each one, then my brother’s perspective.

On day seven: “Write your own psalm.”

Instantly, as I put the final full stop to my psalm, I felt a release of the past—that I’d not experienced in over 20 years.

Take a Step With Him is for you—the one ready to move beyond survival into fresh beginnings.

This is my story of how God met me in that season—and the 16 different ways He helped me step forward. Lament was just one of them. For you, it might be forgiveness, or seeing your story through God’s redemptive lens, or hearing Him through visions and dreams. Each chapter offers a different tool.

I can’t promise your journey will look like mine. But I can share what God showed me, and trust that He’ll meet you exactly where you are.

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

This is Book 3 of the testimony series (Book 5 when including companion guidebooks)—for when you’re ready to step into fresh beginnings with courage and hope. Each of the 16 chapters reveals a different way God connects with us as we move forward. Together with the other testimony books, 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’s Testimony of Your Life

The most powerful shift in this book: learning to see your story through God’s eyes, not just yours.

In every bad event, trouble, and trauma—He was at work: bringing redemption, providing the right people at exactly the right moment, protecting from worse things, becoming exactly what you needed. Your story becomes one of God’s hand at work, rather than just pain and struggle.

You’ll discover:

• How to reframe pain into God’s redemptive story
• Practical tools like prophetic acts, blessing, intercession
• Ways to hear God through visions, dreams, and sound teaching
• The power of testimony that transforms valleys into victory
• How to step forward with courage into fresh beginnings

16 Practical Tools for Moving Forward

This isn’t just inspiration—it’s activation. Each chapter equips you with a specific tool:

Testimony — Your story through His lens Forgiveness — Time to fly free Opposite Spirit — No longer a victim Blessing — The power of your words Prophetic Words — God’s encouragement Prophetic Acts — Tangible symbolic acts Joy — Possible in ALL circumstances Intercession — Praying like Jesus Looking Beyond — Seeing others’ needs Sound Teaching — Lasting foundations The Word — Building on the Rock Visions — Fireside inspiration Dreams — Night-time God adventures Thankfulness — Attitude of gratitude Lament — Honoring and grieving well Living Legacy — God’s gift to you

“Father’s Heart” — God’s Voice Speaking to You

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

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

The 7-Day Lament Process

One of the most powerful elements in this book is the practical, day-by-day lament process that freed Karen from 20 years of stuck grief.

Day 1: Write it ALL—uncensored, just between you and God Day 2: How it impacted your childhood family Day 3: How it impacted your own family Day 4: The timeline of emotions Day 5: God’s presence in each event Day 6: The other person’s perspective Day 7: Write your own psalm

This isn’t theory—it’s a proven process that leads to actual freedom.

Written FROM the Journey, FOR the Journey

Karen wrote this while still navigating chronic illness—not from the “all better” side, but right in the ongoing reality of stepping forward despite limitations.

She knows what it’s like when:

• You’re past the worst crisis but not “back to normal”
• You’re ready to step forward but unsure how
• You need courage for fresh beginnings
• You want to embrace hope without denying ongoing challenges
• You’re ready to LIVE again, not just survive

A BEING Book — Nothing Required But to Rest

This is not a workbook. There’s no homework. No journaling prompts. No questions to answer.

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.

Just read and receive. On your hardest days, read only the Father’s Heart section (3 minutes). On better days, read a full chapter. Put it down for weeks if you need to. Pick it back up when you’re ready.

No pressure. No guilt. Just God’s presence meeting you exactly where you are.

Want to go deeper when you have energy? The Take a Step With Him Companion Guidebook is the DOING book—with journaling, reflection, and activations for each of the 16 tools. But the testimony book? It’s just for being held.

This Book Is For You If:

✅ You’re stuck in grief that won’t shift — Years of pain, loss, or “middle death” that hasn’t resolved. You need a process that actually leads to freedom, not more sadness.

✅ You’re ready to move beyond survival — Not just getting through the day but actually stepping into fresh beginnings. You’re ready to LIVE again.

✅ You need to forgive but don’t know how — Not surface-level forgiveness but the deep kind that sets you free. You want practical help, not platitudes.

✅ You want to see your story differently — Through God’s redemptive lens, not just your pain. You want to discover what HE was doing in every hard chapter.

✅ You’re ready for fresh beginnings — New season, new chapter, new direction. You need courage and hope for what’s next.

✅ You need practical spiritual tools — Not just inspiration but actual methods: prophetic acts, blessing, intercession, declaration. You want to know HOW.

✅ You’ve been told to “just move on” — And it made you feel worse. You need permission to grieve properly first, then step forward with freedom.

✅ You want to hear God for your next steps — Through visions, dreams, timely words, sound teaching. You’re hungry for His direction.

✅ You need something gentle — Traditional devotionals feel like too much. You need a BEING book—nothing required but to rest and receive.

Read This Book When:

• You’re past the crisis and ready for what’s next
• You’re stuck in grief or pain that won’t shift
• You need to forgive someone (or yourself)
• You want practical tools for spiritual growth
• You’re ready for fresh beginnings
• You want to see God’s redemptive story in your life
• You need courage to step forward
• You want to hear God through visions, dreams, and words
• You’re ready to move from victim to victor
• You want to leave a living legacy

Give Take a Step With Him When:

• Someone is ready to move forward but unsure how
• They’ve been stuck in grief or unforgiveness for years
• They’re entering a new season and need courage
• They want practical spiritual tools
• They need to see their story through God’s eyes
• They’re asking “what’s next?”
• It’s been a year or more since their crisis
• They’re ready to step into fresh beginnings

I’m stuck in grief that won’t shift. Is there a way to grieve that actually leads to freedom?

Yes—and this book shows you exactly how through a powerful 7-day lament process.

“A middle death”—that’s what Karen calls it. That place where you can’t move forward, can’t go back. Stuck in pain for years.

After 20 years of being stuck in grief over her brother’s addiction and imprisonment, God said: “It’s time to lament, My child.”

The 7-Day Lament Process:

Day 1: Write it ALL—uncensored, just between you and God “Pour out your heart to Me, My precious one. Leave nothing out.”

Day 2: How it impacted your childhood family

Day 3: How it impacted your own family

Day 4: The timeline of emotions

Day 5: God’s presence in each event

Day 6: The other person’s perspective

Day 7: Write your own psalm

This isn’t theory—it’s a proven process. The lament chapter alone has helped readers break free from years of stuck grief. Before you can step forward, you must honor what was lost.

I’ve survived the crisis—how do I step into what’s next?

This book shows you exactly how—through 16 practical tools and real-life testimonies.

You’ll learn:

• How to see your story through God’s redemptive lens (Chapter 1: Testimony)
• How to release what’s holding you back (Chapter 2: Forgiveness)
• How to respond to challenges with the opposite spirit (Chapter 3)
• How your words can bless and prophesy life (Chapter 4)
• How to recognize and respond to God’s encouragement (Chapter 5)
• How to take prophetic action that shifts atmospheres (Chapter 6)

Each chapter includes:

• Karen’s real story of how this tool worked in her life
• “Father’s Heart” — God’s voice speaking to YOU
• Prayer — words you can pray
• Practical activation for YOUR next step

Fresh beginnings don’t happen by accident. They happen when you’re equipped with the right tools and the courage to use them.

I know I need to forgive, but I don’t know how. It feels impossible.

The Forgiveness chapter in this book isn’t about surface-level “I forgive you” statements. It’s about the deep, real forgiveness that actually sets YOU free.

Karen shares her own journey of forgiving—not because the other person deserved it, but because unforgiveness was keeping her stuck. Holding on wasn’t hurting them; it was hurting her.

You’ll discover:

• Why forgiveness is FOR YOU, not just for them
• How unforgiveness keeps you stuck in the past
• Practical steps to release what’s been holding you
• How to forgive even when they haven’t apologized
• The freedom that comes when you let go

This chapter has helped readers finally release people and situations they’ve been holding onto for years—sometimes decades. Because before you can step forward, you have to let go of what’s behind.

Can God really redeem my painful past?

Yes. And this book shows you how to see it.

The most powerful shift in Take a Step With Him is learning to ask God what HIS story of your life is. Not your version—His version.

In every bad event, trouble, and trauma—He was at work:

• Bringing redemption
• Providing the right people at exactly the right moment
• Protecting from worse things
• Becoming exactly what you needed

Your story becomes one of God’s hand at work, rather than just pain and struggle. Your valleys become stepping stones. Your wounds become testimonies.

The Testimony chapter shows you exactly how to reframe your story through God’s redemptive lens—and the freedom that comes when you do.

I want to grow spiritually, but I need practical tools—not just inspiration.

This book gives you 16 specific, practical tools you can actually use:

For Processing the Past:

• Testimony — Seeing your story through God’s eyes
• Forgiveness — Releasing what’s holding you back
• Lament — Grieving well so you can move forward

For Spiritual Warfare:

• Opposite Spirit — Responding differently than your flesh wants
• Blessing — The power of your words over situations
• Intercession — Praying like Jesus prays

For Hearing God:

• Prophetic Words — Recognizing His encouragement
• Visions — Fireside inspiration from Him
• Dreams — Night-time God adventures
• Sound Teaching — Lasting foundations

For Moving Forward:

• Joy — Possible in ALL circumstances
• Thankfulness — Shifting your atmosphere
• Prophetic Acts — Tangible symbolic actions
• Living Legacy — The gift you’re leaving

Each chapter shows you HOW to use the tool through Karen’s real-life story, then equips you to use it yourself.

I know I’m ready for something new, but I don’t know how to get there.

That’s exactly where this book meets you.

Take a Step With Him is for the person who’s past survival mode but needs courage and direction for what’s next. You’re not in crisis anymore—you’re ready to actually LIVE.

This book helps you:

• Lament properly so you can leave the past behind
• See your story through God’s redemptive lens
• Forgive what’s been holding you back
• Hear God’s direction through visions, dreams, and words
• Take prophetic action that shifts atmospheres
• Step forward with courage into fresh beginnings

You don’t have to figure it out alone. These 16 chapters are a roadmap—practical, proven, and full of hope.

My friend is ready to move forward. What book would help them take that next step?

Take a Step With Him is perfect for someone who’s past the crisis and ready for what’s next.

Why this book works as a gift:

✅ Meets them where they are — Not a crisis book, not a stabilizing book—a fresh beginnings book for where they actually are

✅ Practical tools — 16 specific methods they can actually use, not just inspiration

✅ The lament process — If they’re stuck in grief, this alone could change everything

✅ No pressure — This is a BEING book. Nothing required but to rest and receive

✅ God’s redemptive lens — Helps them see their story differently

When to give it:

• When they’re asking “what’s next?”
• When they’ve been stuck in grief or unforgiveness
• When they’re entering a new season
• When they’re ready to move from victim to victor
• A year or more after the initial crisis

I want to grow spiritually, but I’m exhausted and can’t handle homework.

This book is a BEING book—nothing required but to be, rest, and let Him encourage your heart.

No journaling prompts. No questions to answer. No schedule to keep.

On your hardest days:

• Just read the Father’s Heart section (3 minutes)
• Let God’s words wash over you
• No pressure to respond or do anything

On better days:

• Read a full chapter (15-20 minutes)
• Enjoy Karen’s story and the practical tool
• Let the prayer at the end be your prayer

You can put this book down for weeks and pick it back up without guilt. Just God meeting you exactly where you are, at whatever capacity you have today.

Want to go deeper when you have energy? The Companion Guidebook is there for that. But the testimony book? It’s just for being held.

16 Chapters You Can Read in Any Order:

1. Testimony — Your Story Through His Lens
2. Forgiveness — Time to Fly Free
3. Opposite Spirit — No Longer a Victim
4. Blessing — The Power of Your Words
5. Prophetic Words — God’s Encouragement
6. Prophetic Acts — Tangible Symbolic Acts
7. Joy — Possible in ALL Circumstances
8. Intercession — Praying Like Jesus
9. Looking Beyond — Seeing Others’ Needs
10. Sound Teaching — Lasting Foundations
11. The Word — Building on the Rock
12. Visions — Fireside Inspiration
13. Dreams — Night-time God Adventures
14. Thankfulness — Attitude of Gratitude
15. Lament — Honoring and Grieving Well
16. Living Legacy — God’s Gift to You

Each Chapter Includes:

Karen’s Real Story — How she discovered and used this tool in her ongoing journey. Not polished hindsight—real encounters from the middle.

“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 the series. 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 is a BEING book. Just read and receive.

🔧 16 Practical Tools — Each chapter equips you with something you can actually use.

Curtains Pulled Back

“I continue to be amazed at how God is using this book to reveal to me the next steps of my journey with Him. It’s as if the curtains of darkness and uncertainty have been pulled back to let the light of God’s Word shine through.” — Deb Chatley

“Each chapter, I get glimpses of the abundant life that God has for me and how I can walk in that abundant life while experiencing the difficulties of life in this world of brokenness.” — Deb Chatley

Fresh Beginnings and Hope

“This 3rd book in Karen’s raw and honest series documents her journey from pain and despair to hope and promise. Be encouraged, comforted and inspired as you journey with Karen into a place of fresh beginnings.” — Julie Jones

“As you consistently see Him at work in your life, your relationship with Him will blossom and grow.” — Julie Jones

Five Star Praise

“Five stars! When a book rescues, encourages, and inspires while leading you closer to God and His promises, it deserves all the praise. A must-read for all!”

— Reedsy Discovery

Holy Spirit Insights

“Karen provides such keen insights of Holy Spirit and how to best continue forward in cooperation with God in every season of life.” — Sonya Loso

“Each chapter brings a different insight into the character of God and how to connect with Holy Spirit daily… Christ shines brighter and brighter.” — Sonya Loso

Breakthrough Is Possible

“I love how the author so vulnerably shares her own struggles that led to this revelation. In this manner, I realize that this breakthrough is possible for me as well.” — Deb Chatley

The Lament Process Changed Everything

“The 7-day lament process freed me from grief I’d been carrying for over a decade. I finally feel like I can move forward.” — Reader Review

“I’ve given this book to three friends specifically for the lament chapter. It’s the most practical grief process I’ve ever seen.” — Gift Giver Review

“Pour out your heart to Me, My precious one. Leave nothing out.

I can handle your anger. I can hold your tears. I already know every wound, every question, every ‘why.’

Lament is not weakness—it is worship. It is trusting Me with the rawest parts of you.

When you lament, you are not wallowing. You are honoring what was lost. You are making space for what will be.

I am not asking you to pretend the pain wasn’t real. I am inviting you to bring it to Me—all of it—so I can transform it.

Your valleys can become stepping stones. Your wounds can become testimonies. Your grief can become a gateway to freedom.

But first, you must lament. You must honor what was before you can embrace what will be.

I am here. I am safe. Pour it out to Me, and watch what I will do.”

Format: Paperback & Kindle eBook

Length: 250 pages

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

Best For: Adults ready for fresh beginnings—moving forward after crisis, grief, unforgiveness, life transitions, spiritual growth

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

Origin: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

ISBN: 978-0-6451515-9-6 (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.

Book 1: Be Held By Him

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 (You Are Here)

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.

The testimony books are BEING books (just receive). The companion guidebooks are DOING books (interactive engagement).

“It’s time to lament, My child.”

Those words changed everything for Karen—and led to freedom she hadn’t experienced in 20 years.

Take a Step With Him won’t rush you past your grief. It will give you permission to lament—and then show you exactly how to step forward into fresh beginnings with courage and hope.

This is a BEING book — nothing required but to be, rest, and let Him encourage your heart.

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 Step With Him Companion Guidebook → Journaling, reflection, worship practices, activations for each of the 16 tools

Other Books in the Series: Be Held By Him (Book 1) → For crisis and collapse seasons

Take a Breath With Him (Book 2) → For stabilizing seasons

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 that God’s story of her life reads so differently than her own.

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.

“There is more to live and more to celebrate—always more because He is abundantly GOOD.”

Website: www.karenbrough.com

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

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