About the Book
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41:10
There is hope and relief from worry, anxiety, and depression. Inside this 90-day devotional you'll find encouragement through Katara Washington Patton's vulnerable story, godly wisdom, and practical steps that lead to healing and freedom. Each day includes a unique, relatable message, uplifting Scripture passage, and reminder of the countless people, including Jesus, who found their strength and comfort in God during their darkest times. Use this devotional to cry out to the God who hears you, loves you, and will help you.
Katara Washington Patton is senior editor for Our Daily Bread Publishing's Voices Collection. She has authored several books, including Successful Women of the Bible, and edited for The Chicago Defender and Jet magazine. She holds a master of journalism from Northwestern University and a master of divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. A native of Thibodaux, Louisiana, Katara and her husband reside on Chicago's South Side. They have one daughter.
About the Author :
A regular contributor to Our Daily Bread, Katara Washington Patton is senior editor for Our Daily Bread Publishing's Voices Collection. She has authored several books, including 5-Minute Devotional Book for Women: Prayers and Reflections to Strengthen Your Faith and Successful Women of the Bible; has been an editor at Tyndale House Publishers, The Chicago Defender, Urban Ministries, and Jet magazine; and was named nonfiction editor of the year by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association in 2014. She graduated summa cum laude from Dillard University, and earned a master of journalism from Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, and a master of divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where she received the outstanding preaching award. A native of Thibodaux, Louisiana, Katara and her husband reside on Chicago's South Side. They have one daughter.
Katara Washington Patton is senior editor for Our Daily Bread Publishing's Voices Collection. She has authored several books, including 5-Minute Devotional Book for Women: Prayers and Reflections to Strengthen Your Faith. She holds a master of journalism from Northwestern University and a master of divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. A native of Thibodaux, Louisiana, Katara and her husband reside on Chicago's South Side. They have one daughter.
Review :
"Katara Washington Patton has crafted a collection of meditations that touch the existential crisis we face as people of faith. How do we navigate the blues internally and the blues we face externally in our nation? Ms. Patton answers the question with spiritual depth, biblical wisdom, and theological insight. We all as human beings made in God's image will the face the blues; the question for people of faith will always be, can we find the gospel chords among life's blue notes? This book gives us a road map to handling the blue notes and reclaiming our gospel shout!"--Otis Moss, III, Senior Pastor Trinity United Church of Christ & Professor of Homiletics Macafee School of Theology
"These daily devotionals offer acknowledgment, acceptance, affirmation, and assistance. Blending applied wisdom with biblical truth, the author compassionately and capably leads her audience to the One who can safely steer us from deepest blue into the Light."--Sandra Byrd, author of The One Year Experiencing God's Love Devotional
"These devotions provide a safe space to reflect and be vulnerable in overcoming our fears."--Leticia Ransom, SHRM-CP, PHR, MBA
"This much-needed devotional is simply amazing. Depression is a serious issue that the church must pay more attention to. Helps like this offer those who may be suffering a way to confront their issues and begin their healing. I strongly recommend it."--Rev. Virgil M. Woods, author and pastor
"Navigating the Blues is a welcome resource for Christians who experience depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges during difficult times. Patton . . . offers encouragement to face the blues with self-compassion, honesty, and faith. The devotional offers practical and relatable strategies that support healing. Patton shares wisdom from her own lived experiences with depression and employs prayer, affirmation, and action to steer readers through common, but isolating occurrences of depression." --Kesha S. Burch, PhD, LCPC, Core faculty and staff therapist, The Family Institute at Northwestern University
"Navigating the Blues is not only timely; it speaks straight to an issue that so many Christians mask with, "Too blessed to be stressed (or depressed)." As someone who wrestles with depression and anxiety, I appreciate the author's vulnerability with "My Confession." The way the book is structured is easy to navigate and absorb; there are times you barely have enough energy to get out of bed, let alone read God's Word and when you do, where do you start? Even here, the author directed me to specific Scripture that ministered to that thorn in my side. Lastly, "Progress, Not Perfection," is a wonderful closing of the daily devotional, providing simple and encouraging steps to be gentle with myself. Katara Washington Patton's Navigating the Blues will minister to the heart and heartache of the blues."--Stacy Holman, mental health advocate and filmmaker
"How I wish I'd had Navigating the Blues when I was in the grip of depression. Katara Patton has been there. And she has grappled with the well-meaning but mistaken counsel of fellow believers who were certain that if her faith were strong enough, she would prevail. Full of faith, compassion, understanding and deep wisdom, these devotions offer comfort, insight and practical, simple tools to help us move toward wholeness, step by step."--Michelle Rapkin, author, former executive editor for Hachette Book Group and founding editor of Crossings Book Club
"Katara Patton's Navigating the Blues 90-day devotional is wonderfully transparent and transformational! The concepts and ideas were so useful to me as I faced my own struggles with doubt, fear, and insecurity. I found great comfort in the shared nuggets of practical wisdom, anecdotes, and use of sacred scripture. As a mental health consumer and advocate, I can attest that Katara Patton's book will bless those who find themselves in need of practical words of guidance and encouragement."--Rev. Ericka Bailey, speaker, author, and mental health advocate
"Often believers struggle with accepting their negative emotions because they believe that it contradicts their faith. However, Navigating the Blues provides space for God's children to be vulnerable without shame or fear as they find comfort for their pain knowing that God hears the cries of His children and will rescue us amid our storms. This book will not only invite you to face those things you have intentionally avoided because of public judgment or self-guilt but it will also invite you to trust the journey as you begin to heal and experience God's gift of abundant life."--Jasclyn N. Coney, MA Clinical Psychology, MDiv
