Humble Roots: A review and giveaway

Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul, Hannah Anderson, Moody Publishers, October 2016, 207 pages.

When it comes to the twists and turns of life, no one really expects to be able to handle the really big things, so we cut ourselves some slack. The little things should be well within our grasp, or so we think. But when the normal stuff of everyday life overwhelms us, stress and anxiety kick in. If this does not apply to you, praise God, but for the rest of us, we need help. This latest book by Hannah Anderson does just that by getting to the root of the problem - pride.

When we think of pride, boasting and promoting one's self are obvious manifestations. But what about thinking "we are stronger and more capable than we actually are... that we must do and be more than we are able?" (pg. 40) Thus we push ourselves to the limit and find ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. We find ourselves longing for rest, but this rest is only to be found "when we humble ourselves and submit to Him." (pg. 25) Yet humility is more than self-abasement or changing external behavior. It comes from seeing Jesus for who He really is in His person and His work. In that light, we are humbled because "He is the model and the means of our own humility."  (pp. 76, 57) However, the book does not end here. The author applies humility to how we view our physical bodies, emotions, and minds. It also affects the way we steward the gifts God has given us, pursue our desires, and make sense of the brokenness of this world.

I loved Hannah's first book, Made for More, so I was eager to read Humble Roots. I appreciate that she writes from a perspective of wholeness in that we are body and soul and our faith should make a difference in every aspect of our lives. I also appreciate that her books speak across a wide range of age and experience. I gave a copy of Humble Roots to my college-aged daughter who is dealing with academic stress and the new responsibilities of adulthood. (She could not put the book down and had to make herself stop reading and do her homework.) I am middle-aged and tempted to be complacent in the skills that I have acquired over the years. But I am also becoming more aware that it will only be a matter of time before the strength of body and mind will be diminished just with age alone. This book ministered to us both because, even though we are at different stages in life, we cannot shoulder the burdens of life ourselves. Without Him, we can do nothing.

Humble Roots is a delight to read. It is beautifully written with examples from Hannah's life, her Appalachian church community, history, and horticulture. Humble Roots is also theologically sound and grounded in the gospel. It is convicting, but it will encourage you to find the rest that Jesus offers to weary souls. I highly recommend this book.


I will be giving away one copy of Humble Roots. Please enter your name and email address in the form below. The giveaway ends Sunday October 16 at midnight EDT. I will contact the winner the following day. Thanks for entering!

(The giveaway has ended.)

I received a copy of this book from Moody Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."