Why Can’t I Get It Together? Kick Unrealistic Expectations to the Curb and Rest in God’s Truth

“I always thought the older I got, the more I’d have my life in order,” admits The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey podcaster (If You Only Knew) in this down-to-earth look at how to stop “chasing a version of getting it together that is... unreachable.” Contending that many people are similarly constrained by unrealistic expectations, Ivey invites readers to inventory six different areas of their lives—hurts, obligations, needs, desires, expectations, and realities—and use them to map out “what getting it together means for you and your current reality.” For example, some might need to take time to rest when tackling a health issue, while others should make room for moments of joy amid a difficult period of early motherhood. As readers adopt realistic goals that align to their life circumstances, they should also acknowledge that God’s vision is paramount, even if it contradicts one’s own: “what He wants... [for you] might not line up with the plans of your heart—and even so, He is still good, right, true, and worthy of all honor.” Encouraging Christians to show the same mercy to themselves as Jesus did to others, and weaving in candid anecdotes about her marital conflicts, parenting struggles, and physical insecurities, Ivey strikes a relatable tone that will easily earn readers’ trust. Her steadfast reassurances to “chase holiness rather than looking or feeling like you have it together” resonate. This will be a balm to stressed-out believers. (Feb.)