Maria Furlough

As I read this book, I was sorry that I didn't have it when my own daughter was young. She is now grown and a self-assured woman, but she didn't always feel that way about herself. Confident Moms, Confident Daughters is filled with wonderful advice that mothers can share with their daughters. Author Maria Furlough uses personal experiences, Bible scripture, and reliable research to show how we can improve our daughters' self-esteem and free them from insecurity. Each of the twelve chapters have a Confident Moms Challenge--- Confident Daughters Discussion Questions---and A Mom's Prayer. There is also a Confident Moms, Confident Daughters Manifesto at the end of this book that is based on Proverbs 31 and it has so many beautiful thoughts but the ending verses are especially powerful and best of all, they apply to ALL of us!
I am beautiful because I know that physical beauty fades and you won't catch me putting my value in looks.
I am beautiful because I trust the Lord above all else.
I am beautiful because I am God's daughter.
We mothers may not be able to leave our daughters a huge inheritance when we die, but we can offer them a priceless gift. We have lived through the different stages that they are now experiencing, we have felt the same emotions, and it is through overcoming our own insecurity that we can now help them conquer their own. We can assure them that their beauty lies within and that they are beautiful because they are a child of God!
I received a complimentary copy from Revell but I am voluntarily sharing this review. These are my honest thoughts.… (meer)

In Confident Moms, Confident Daughters, author Maria Furlough aims to encourage and equip moms who desire to help their daughters live free from insecurity in an image-obsessed culture.

The author balanced well the ideas of “true beauty” and physical beauty. She emphasized “true beauty” as most important, but validated the feminine desire for physical beauty. She gave practical tips to help a mom feel confident about her physical characteristics. She encourages a woman to focus on what she loves about her body and play to those strengths by purchasing clothes that fit well or trying a new makeup style. In short, use and enjoy what works for you. She is not saying to dress provocatively. Rather, she’s encouraging women to be clothed with “strength and dignity” (a phrase by her daughter on page 138) and that includes dressing in clothes that make one feel strong and confident. Being confident yourself is a crucial step to helping your daughter be confident in her body.

My main takeaways from Confident Moms, Confident Daughters were: 1.) Don’t speak negatively about your body or your daughter’s body. 2.) Don’t vent or dump your issues on your daughter. Talk to the husband, friends, or family, but don’t make your daughter carry your burdens or issues. 3.) Reflective listening. 4.) Honest communication and connection creates an inroad for you to be able to speak truth to your daughter about this crucial issue.

I recommend Confident Moms, Confident Daughters by Maria Furlough to any mom. I will keep this book and reread it in the future. The discussion questions to talk with your daughter about are more appropriate for tween and teen girls. My daughters are much younger and I don’t think they would completely understand or process the questions deeply. Still, the information in the book is valuable as I can start applying the recommended practices when they are young.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.… (meer)

I related to this book as soon as I read the title. The fear cycle, yes I know it well for many years. The picture pops in my head of a bicycle wheel going around and around. There are times that my fears would fade only to be brought back full force by thoughts or circumstances. I know from experience it is a vicious “cycle”.
I know God in His Word says “do not fear” but I have been caught in its endless circle.
Ms. Furlough’s book is light shining on this dark problem all believers face. She openly and honestly shares her journey in overcoming this debilitating stronghold Satan builds in our lives. The lessons she learned are the reader’s blessings. She asks questions I knew the answer to but was afraid (yes fear again) to face. The gentle way she nudged me into facing my fears, some I had not even named.
I like that she didn’t just talk about the problem but through scripture and reflection guided me with workable solutions defeat this foe in my life. She doesn’t sugar coat the fact that it will be a battle I have to fight with the Lord beside me, reminding me that my weapon is scripture. The 14 promises in scripture that God will protect me will be something I will use from now on.
Sharing her personal fears and struggles with them not only were uplifting but made me feel she truly understands! With God we have nothing fear and the old saying popped into my head, “we have nothing to fear but fear itself”. Yes! I want “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” in Philippians 4:7
It is not a read it once book. You will want to read it, highlight in it, and make notes. I feel now I have a scriptural battle plan and the mindset truly have victory. It is going to be a process and a journey but so worth it!
I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own.… (meer)

Breaking the Fear Cycle by Maria Furlough is in many ways the best book I’ve read all year. The author begins the book with the heart wrenching story of the loss of their 4th child Gideon to Potter’s syndrome. She tells of the fears she faced head on and the way her fear took over and drove her to decisions she might not have otherwise made. She then tells of the ways the Lord intervened and had a greater plan for Gideon and her. This plan wasn’t an escape as quick as you can plan. It was a plan that would face the crippling fear holding hands with God and be forever changed because of it.

The book is FULL of scripture, prayer and heart probing questions. Each chapter is ended with a prayer and a list of questions for meditation and self reflection. The author encourages journaling and getting quiet with God to allow Him to show you your fears and the control they have over you. Through scripture examples and examples of her friends and acquaintances, the author illustrates her points and brings them to real life for the reader. She connects our fear with our misunderstanding God and who he is. She clearly combats that with guiding the reader to scripture to see who God is and why we can trust him with even our greatest fears.

I love the authors vulnerability. She instantly gains the trust of the reader when she says it like it is. I don’t see her as someone who is high and mighty and has it all together. Instead I can see myself in her. I can relate to her. I have an increased bravery to face my own fears because of the way she faced hers. Don’t miss out on this book! It doesn’t disappoint.

For more information about the book https://www.breakingthefearcycle.com/
or the author’s facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/maria.furlough/

I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions stated here are my own.… (meer)