In a world filled with identity crises, marital problems and daily challenges, Stephany M. Feldberg ‘s new book , Challenge Yourself: Have a Real Connection with God, emerges as an essential guide for women in search of refuge and spiritual strengthening. Recently published, the work offers a practical and inspiring approach to overcoming adversity and deepening faith through 30 days of prayers, based on biblical verses.
With a narrative that combines personal experience and spiritual guidance, Feldberg presents a collection of prayers that cover different situations in women’s lives, such as building family bonds, the search for forgiveness and the role of mother and wife. The author, who transformed her own life through the Bible, uses her experiences to help readers face their challenges with renewed faith and purpose.
Challenge Yourself not only offers a path to communication with God, but also provides space for personal reflection, encouraging an intimate and deep dialogue with the divine. Through the pages of the book, Feldberg shares how prayer and spiritual connection can foster meaningful transformation, helping women find peace and renewal amid life’s trials.
How did the idea to write “Desafia-te: Have a real connection with God” come about and what was the main inspiration behind the work?
The idea to write “Challenge Yourself: Have a Real Connection with God” came from my own spiritual journey and conversations I’ve had with many women over the years. I realized that many of them were facing similar challenges: an identity crisis, marriage problems, the exhaustion of motherhood, and a feeling of disconnection from God. The main inspiration for the book was the desire to help these women find comfort and strength in their faith, offering a practical and spiritual perspective to face these challenges.
I believe that, in moments of crisis and doubt, a deep connection with God can be transformative. The book is an invitation for every woman to challenge herself to seek this connection, to rediscover her identity in Christ and to find peace and purpose amid the difficulties of everyday life.
You mention that the work is an invitation to strengthen faith in 30 days. Can you tell us how you structured the book to guide readers through this process?
Clear! The book is structured as a guide of 30 prayers, with each prayer focusing on a specific aspect of the spiritual and personal journey. The goal is to offer a practical and inspiring approach that helps readers deepen their faith and find strength in God.
- Prayers for Self-Discovery and Identity in Christ : These prayers are dedicated to helping readers reflect on their identity in Christ. It includes reflection exercises, biblical readings and prayers that address topics such as self-esteem, personal value and the importance of seeing oneself through God’s eyes.
- Prayers about relationships and family : Here I focus on personal relationships, especially marriage and motherhood. I cover how to apply biblical principles to strengthen family bonds, deal with conflicts, and find balance between family responsibilities and spiritual life. Among other prayers.
Each chapter includes a mix of personal narratives, biblical passages, prayers, and practical activities, all designed to be completed in less than 15 per day, making it accessible even for women with busy schedules, and transforming their lives.
What has your personal journey with faith and the Bible been like, especially considering you didn’t grow up in a Christian home?
It was a gradual and transformative discovery. I grew up in an environment where religion wasn’t a central part of everyday life, so when I started exploring the Christian faith, it was all very new to me. This search began with a deep curiosity and a need to find answers to existential and personal questions.
The Bible, at first, seemed like a complex and, at times, intimidating book. However, as I began to read it more regularly and participate in Bible studies, I realized that it was a rich source of wisdom, comfort, and guidance. It was a process of learning and growth, where I learned to interpret the scriptures in the context of my life and experiences.
A key part of this journey was finding a faith community that welcomed me and helped me better understand the teachings of Christ. The friendships and mentors I made along the way were crucial in helping me apply biblical principles in my daily life.
Additionally, prayer and meditation were essential practices that helped me cultivate a deeper connection with God. Learning to hear and feel the divine presence, even in the simple things of everyday life, brought a peace and understanding that I hadn’t known before.
My faith journey has been full of ups and downs, moments of doubt and challenges, but also incredible discoveries and spiritual growth. Writing “Challenge Yourself: Have a Real Connection with God” was a way to share this journey and help other women find the same comfort and guidance I found in the Christian faith.
The book addresses specific situations, such as problems in marriage and motherhood. How did you choose the situations and themes to include in the prayers?
The choice of situations and themes covered in “Desafia-te” was based on a combination of my own journey as a woman, wife and mother allowed me to identify common areas of challenge and need. Reflections on my life and the lessons I learned along the way helped shape many of the prayers and meditations in the book. I also worked closely with spiritual advisors and faith leaders to ensure the topics covered were biblically sound and pastorally sensitive. They helped identify biblical passages and principles relevant to the chosen themes.
The Bible, where I found an inexhaustible source of wisdom and guidance for real-life situations. When selecting prayer themes, I looked for inspiration in passages that offered comfort, encouragement, and practical guidance in dealing with issues such as marital conflict, parenting challenges, and the search for an identity in Christ.
And recognizing the unique pressures and challenges women face today, such as the stress of social media, the search for career-life balance, and loneliness, also influenced the choice of topics.
You share your own personal experiences and reflections in the book. How did these experiences influence the writing and content of prayers?
By sharing my experiences, I sought to offer an authentic and empathetic voice that could resonate with other women facing similar challenges. I wanted to create a space where readers felt understood and not judged. This helped build a genuine connection with readers, showing them that they are not alone in their struggles. The idea was that the book would reflect not only the highs of spiritual life, but also the lows, the moments of doubt and struggle. This made the content more accessible and relevant, as many women can identify with these realities. The prayers are designed to help readers draw closer to God in practical and meaningful ways by applying biblical teachings to their daily lives. I wanted readers to see that it is possible to find strength and renewal in God, even in the most difficult circumstances. Personal experiences have shown how faith can transform situations and bring healing and renewal.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in writing this book and how did you overcome it?
Sharing personal experiences can be intimidating, especially when they involve sensitive aspects such as identity crises, marriage problems or motherhood challenges.
During the writing process, there were times when I encountered specific difficulties in addressing marital problems. Talking about marriage problems is particularly sensitive because it involves not only my experiences but also someone else’s privacy. I wanted to be honest and open about the struggles I faced, but I also needed to respect my spouse’s privacy and dignity. This led me to think deeply about what stories to share and how to do so in a way that is respectful and uplifting.
To overcome this challenge, I sought guidance and support. And a lot of prayer so that the Holy Spirit would guide me to the right path. To self-reflection and spiritual growth. It was a constant reminder of the importance of prayer, community support and trust in God, especially in difficult times. I hope that by sharing my struggles and how I found strength and renewal in faith, I can inspire other women to do the same in their own lives.
How do you hope your prayers and guidance impact readers who are facing difficulties similar to those you describe?
I hope the book offers readers a source of comfort, inspiration, and spiritual renewal. I wrote the book with the hope that it would serve as a practical and spiritual guide for women who are facing challenges similar to those I described, such as identity crises, marriage problems, and the exhaustion of motherhood.
My intention is that, when reading the prayers and reflecting on the guidance, readers feel understood and not alone in their struggles. Often just knowing that other people have been through similar situations and found a way out can be incredibly encouraging. The stories and experiences I shared were chosen to show that although the challenges are real and difficult, it is possible to find strength and hope in God.
Furthermore, I hope the book encourages readers to develop a regular practice of prayer and meditation, creating a space for introspection and connection with God. The prayers are designed to be accessible and applicable to everyday life, helping you incorporate faith into your daily routine and find moments of peace and clarity.
I also want the guidance to offer practical tools for dealing with daily challenges, whether through communication strategies in marriage, approaches to personal and emotional care in motherhood, or ways to rediscover your identity in Christ. I believe that by combining spiritual and practical elements, readers can not only find solace but also develop skills to navigate their circumstances with confidence and grace.
Ultimately, my hope is that the book serves as a catalyst for inner transformation, helping women strengthen their faith, find purpose, and live more fully and intentionally.
Can you share any feedback or reactions from readers who have already used the book to face their personal challenges?
Yes, I have received encouraging and inspiring feedback from readers who used the book to face their personal challenges. Many shared how the book helped them find a new perspective and renewed their hope during difficult times.
One reader mentioned that prayers and reflections on identity in Christ helped her rediscover herself at a stage in life where she felt lost and disconnected from who she really was. She highlighted that, through daily prayers, she began to see herself with more love and acceptance, something she had been struggling to achieve for years.
Another reader, who was experiencing difficulties in her marriage, reported that the sections focused on relationships and family were particularly helpful. She found comfort in the stories and practical guidance, which helped her communicate better with her spouse and deal with conflict in a more compassionate and patient way. This new understanding brought a positive change to their relationship.
One mother shared that the book helped her deal with motherhood. The prayers provided her with moments of reflection and renewal, which she had lost in the midst of her daily routine and parental responsibilities. This helped her find a new balance and feel more spiritually connected.
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