Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose

by Rebekah Lyons

Daily struggles with anxiety and stress make it difficult to receive God's peace. Rhythms of Renewal will help you trade your anxiety for the vibrant life you were meant to live through four profound rhythms: rest, restore, connect, and create. With encouraging stories and practical steps, Rebekah Lyons will help you begin an intentional, lifelong journey toward sustained emotional, relational, and spiritual health.

Rhythms of Renewal  is your guide to daily rescue and a way forward into the peace your soul longs for. 

As a society, we are in the throes of a collective panic attack. Anxiety and loneliness are on the rise, with 77% of our population experiencing physical symptoms of stress on a regular basis. We feel pressure chasing careers, security, and keeping up. We worry about health, politics, and many other complexities we can't control. Eventually we find our minds spinning, trying to cope or manage a low hum of anxiety, unlike ever before. 

But it doesn't have to stay this way. 

Rebekah draws from her own battle with depression and anxiety and shares a pathway to establish four life-giving rhythms that quiet inner chaos and make room for a flourishing life. By taking time to rest, restore, connect, and create, you will discover how to: 


Take charge of your emotional health and inspire your loved ones to do the same
Overcome anxiety by establishing daily habits that keep you mentally and physically strong
Find joy through restored relationships in your family and community
Walk in confidence with the unique gifts you have to offer the world

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Self Help, Christian Living, Religion, Personal Development

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2019

About the author

Rebekah Lyons is a designer, strategist, wife, and mom. She serves alongside her husband, Gabe, as executive director of Q, a learning community that mobilizes Christians to advance the common good in society. In her role at Q, Rebekah gives leadership and strategic direction to where the movement is headed and manages day-to-day operations. Any given week includes volunteering at the Midtown Pregnancy Support Center in Manhattan or at Geneva School, writing her daily musings, and rallying her three children and two toy poodles around New York City.

Reviews

[Sara Hollar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read 141 pages and had to stop. There is nothing wrong with the suggestions found in this book- they are truly things we all can and should start doing or improve doing. (Take a social media fast- but don't worry, of course you can get back on!, get more sleep, exercise, have a quiet time, eat right, take a trip to Europe...). But this book deals with surface level, petty, first world, middle class, white woman problems. I'm sorry. These tips are not the real solution to the problem of anxiety. I have read too many "Christian self-help" and I'm just done. Talk to me about the problem of sin and repentance and how the Spirit of the living God can meet me in my anxiety. Don't remind me to eat my vegetables. Maybe this book can help someone who doesn't have good habits and that's the source of their anxiety. But this book is incredibly flat for anything deeper.

[Lena Beiler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but Rebekah writes as a mother and a lot of the book is family focused so a better part of the book didn't feel applicable to me

[Cara Putman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I could return to again and again. Filled with practical strategies and relevant examples, Rebekah Lyons builds the case that we need rhythm in four areas: Rest, Restore, Connect and Create. When we feel stessed, overwhelmed or anxious, she suggests it's because we've lost balance in one or more of those areas. While those alone aren't new concepts, she has three questions at the end of each chapter that when applied help us move into application. This is a book I'l return to...especially as I work through the study guide next.

[Jennifer Harrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why I continue to attempt to get through the books, I don't know. I choose these books in the hopes that as a follower of Christ, they'll include some sound advice and techniques that would be beneficial to incorporate...instead, I almost always end up with these cheesy, corny, and 'basic' books. "Just work out, just put your phone down, just..." etc. is not advice that no one knows. I'm looking for DEPTH when I come to books like these and am almost always disappointed. I'm looking for Biblical principles broken down into layman's terms that are new and fresh. If you enjoy these types of books, good for you, but if you're looking for depth, keep looking...and if you find something, please pass my way.

[Lidia · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this book was giving to me by my best friend and yes it has some good points despite having mothers as the main target, I could learn somethings while others I practice them already thanks to the Lord or seemed shallow and from here I highlight what I found not ok:

- is very superficial
- no Christian depth
- basically is a self help book for Christians (shallow in my opinion)
- the author is a privileged woman that cannot relate with the rest of 80% of population
- she advises on doing yoga
- she advises on spending your free time on yourself like reading , drinking coffee , which is not bad but I expected her to encourage people to spend quality time in prayer and the presence of God
- she changes homes like toilette paper, is obvious she is rich and can afford that and many excursions with her husband but again not everyone affords that.
- to be honest this is read more as a self help fluffy book with some Scripture thrown here and there
- the problem with this self help books is that they are all about yourself and despite having some things that do not orient to self like being there for a friend in need or your family , many are yes selfish. Is all about what you can make and should but that God expects you to do that without His help is like she says: "You got it! You can do it! You are created for this! You do not need God" Which is striving for yourself without the help of God.

This is the problem with the majority of self help books, is all about you not God, pushing people to believe in their own strength and separate them from God instead on leaning on God's strength and depend on Him.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to receive an advanced digital copy of Rhythms of Renewal just as I was about to begin a two week sabbatical focused on rest and renewal. Rebekah shares 20+ practices and routines she has established in her life to cultivate an emotionally, physically, spiritually and relationally healthy life.
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This book was a great reminder of the importance of making time for self-care in the daily rhythms of life. Many of these rhythms are things I’ve heard or even practiced before but Rebekah brings them back to mind and expresses their importance. Rebekah writes from her heart and personal stories. Her expertise comes from a place of experience as she battled through the thick of anxiety.

The chapters are short and each ends with 3 reflection questions for self-evaluation. These questions helped me to act on what I was reading and not just take it all in. It was a very good read that was also timely in my life.

This is an excellent book for anyone struggling with anxiety/depression or simply looking to establish routines for rest and renewal into their daily life.
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[Alli · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the main idea behind the book but I found myself frustrated by the lack of relatability. I feel like this book is mainly for homemakers or people with children. My husband and I work long hours six days a week and don’t have the time or resources to incorporate a lot of her suggestions. I appreciate her sharing her own experience, but I can’t relate to it. I was hoping for more specific, concrete steps to follow for each rhythm.

[Victoria Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second reread but will probably make this a yearly read. One of the most practical and helpful books ever.

[Vio Stoian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came at the right time. It is structured in short chapters that could be read in about 10 minutes and I like that ))
This is more of an awareness book but not about radical life changes. The practical steps are presented in a simple way. Keeping this in mind this is not a deep book. If you need a quick refresh of your lifestyle this could be for you.

*Later RO update:

Cartea "Ritmuri de reînnoire" oferă o abordare practică pentru a renunța la stresul și anxietatea vieții, promovând o viață plină de pace și sens. Cartea prezintă importanța creării unor ritmuri zilnice, care să ne încarce emotional, spiritual și fizic.
Autoarea scrie această carte bazându-se pe propria sa experiență în lupta cu anxietatea. Ea împărtășește strategi pentru a cultiva ritmuri sănătoase, precum odihna, restaurarea emoțională, conectarea cu ceilalți şi reflecția spirituală.

Mi-a plăcut că această carte este structurată pe capitole scurte. Asta mi-a dat impresia că se citește repede. Are o abordare practică şi se poate aplica uşor, ceea ce o face accesibilă pentru cititori.
Modul de a scrie nu este unul foarte nişat, ci e clar și plin de compasiune. Astfel, consider că aceasta este potrivită atât pentru cei care vin dintr-un mediu creștin practicant, cât și pentru cei care sunt în căutare de principi generale de viață.
Pe alocuri am simțit că este scrisă fără o profunzime, iar unele soluții practice par a fi mai superficiale. Tot la acest aspect, mi s-a părut că unele sugestii oferite sunt prea evidente. Dar să știi că uneori fix pe acestea le omitem în cotidianul nostru prea aglomerat. Deasemenea, cred că unele recomandări nu s-ar plia bine pe un program mai aglomerat; când ai responsabilități care nu pot să aștepte ca tu să poți pune în aplicare practicile sugerate.

Pentru mine această carte a venit la
momentul cel mai potrivit. Am citit-o în săptămâna dintre ani. M-a ajutat să îmi reamintesc și să reîncep unele practici. Una dintre ele a fost să mă reîntorc la scrisul în jurnal. Altă practică pe care am neglijat-o în ultima perioadă a fost odihna și deconectare și acum am fost provocată să fac din odihnă și liniște o prioritate săptămânală.

Concluzii: dacă ești în căutare de ceva care să te inspire, ceva simplu care să îți împrospăteze dinamica zilnică și să ai o viață mai liniștită, aceasta carte poate fi o alegere bună. Însă, dacă îți dorești o carte profundă cu explicații științifice și soluții mai complexe, fie îți mai reduci din așteptări și îi dai o șansă, fie te îndrepți spre alte carte. 😅

[Courtney Pletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a bit conflicted on this book. I love the rhythms and ideas presented. The table of contents was actually my favorite part to reference as I incorporated these ideas within the past few days that I read this book. So this book fell short in some ways for me. I couldn’t relate from the start with the beach vacation on California’s northern coast in the house overlooking the cliffs of the pacific blah blah blah. I get that it’s supposed to set the mood for her anxiety attack, but this is just where I prefer Brene Brown’s approach to just get to the point. It doesn’t matter that it was in a hotel in Paris, it happened in a hotel and that’s good enough. Really, the ideas are good, and the points made are helpful, but the fluff surrounding it is a tad bit more than I could ever relate to and that disconnects me from the author and her intentions. So overall, yes, the style of this book just wasn’t for me, but the ideas are GOOD. I guess I’m just more used to Brene Brown and Holley Gerth’s more humble writing style and that’s fine.

[hannah ☆ ୨ৎ˚࿔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shoutout to my life group ladies who are going to laugh that I’m already posting a review of this. 😂 Also highly recommend this for a life group study!

This was a lovely read! Honestly, this book inspired me to really take a look at what’s important to me (aka taking inventory). It made me realize that while having babies (good) and being in a job I was tired of (bad), I had suppressed my creativity a LOT. I wasn’t taking the time to dive in to my creative side nearly as much as I would like. This book made me feel encouraged that it’s key for me to jump back in to things I love and not just go through the motions of the day to day.

Besides just the creative stuff, this book really just makes you step back and think about how you’re spending your time and your life. I love the deep dives into the different sections of Rest, Restore, Connect, and Create.

No matter what areas you may be needing encouragement in, you’ll find it in this book! 🤍

[Lydia Therese · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book because:
1) I'm just not the intended audience. The author seems to be writing this for mothers or middle-aged women, neither of which I am. I couldn't relate to any of the examples she used.
2) I like practical steps, and there were none in this book. It's more of a tool for reflection, which can be good, but I prefer reading about how you can achieve the practices you want to see in your life.

This was more just a matter of personal preference, though. If this book looks interesting to you, go for it. It's definitely not a bad book, just not for me. 2/5 stars.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book by Rebekah Lyons! It was very uplifting and filled with resourceful information!

The author does a brilliant job of baring her heart to the reader in a way that is as engaging as it is wonderful. She shares stories from her personal life experiences that helps the reader not only relate but empathize with her story.

This book is filled with solid content and life lessons that will continue to inspire and encourage readers way past its release date. I recommend this book to all the busy people in this world, regardless of age, whose bodies need rest and renewal.

[Jennifer Malech]

This read was exactly what my soul needed. This is an invitation into rest, into creating again, and into re-discovering what fuels your life with passion and joy. There are so many practical applications in this book and I absolutely loved the reflection questions at the end of each chapter which turned this book more into a journal for me. I'm excited to pick this up again and again and apply this book's principles to my life. Thank you, Rebekah, for a book that I feel our generation very much needs to read right now! I am entering this season of advent with so much peace and rest.

[Amanda Wilton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book at all, even though I really wanted to. Rebekah writes from a middle-aged, white privileged perspective (of which I am). And that’s okay, because I understand one writes from their own experiences. However, even as her intended audience, I found the book totally unrelatable. She used multiple examples from exotic vacations she and her husband, Gabe, seemed to have endless resources for. She talks about many “best friend getaways” that she makes priority. She discusses living in Manhattan then a move across country to Tennessee, which is a type of move I’ve never experienced. She gives an example of purchasing a special tricycle for her special needs son in order to get him outside more, which again - I’m happy she can do - I just wonder how many other special needs families are able to afford that kind of thing? Her favorite food is an acai bowl, which I can barely pronounce, let alone even know what that is....

It just was hard for me to digest, when thinking about all the people who don’t have the time, money, support or other resources to try her suggestions for living a life void of stress and anxiety. I understand I am living a white privileged life, and I’m thankful for the blessings I experience. But when writing a book to hopefully help a wide variety of people, I would imagine one might try to give examples and advice that would be more relatable to a more general audience.

It took me almost a year to finish, and I’m glad I’m finally done. I gave it two stars because I did really enjoy the last chapter or two about adoption, which earned it the extra star.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. In this book, Rebekah Lyons takes us through the four rhythms of renewal. These rhythms are rest, restore, connect, and create. Throughout each of these rhythms, Rebekah gives us valuable ideas that can help create a life free of stress and anxiety and full of peace and purpose. “Rescue is ready and waiting for us, but so often, we are unable to see a way of escape. Instead of looking up, we keep our heads down, circling the stall, wondering why our circumstances don’t change. We get lost in our loops, repeat the same habits over and over, expecting different results.” Excerpt taken from Rhythms of Renewal. If you are anything like me, this statement rings true for you. In Rhythms of Renewal, Rebekah brings to the table a lot of valid points and excellent ideas that can help you to work towards peace and purpose. Although this is a good book, I personally would expect to see more scripture quoted rather than people quoted. There is scripture to back up what Rebekah brings to the table, it is just not quoted in this book.

[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebekah Lyons has created a book worth reading in Rhythms of Renewal. Reading this book, I felt like I was having a conversation over a cup of tea or coffee at a kitchen table. The book contains personal accounts, stories, Scripture, teaching and more. Truly it is a book worth reading.

[CaryAnne Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second half. But there’s a lot of good things to take away from it! The idea of Rest, Restoration, Connection, and Creation Rhythms were very helpful. Some stuff you can filter and leave out.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another from the genre of "Privileged White Christian Woman Writes a Self-Help Book." (Do I have a shelf for these? I feel like I should have a shelf for these by now.) I feel like she comes off closer to Rachel Hollis than Alli Worthington or Jen Hatmaker, and this is a shortcoming. The Christianity stuff is extremely soft-handed but she has plenty to say about her travels, and at places it felt like she was writing to herself and not an imagined audience.

This book took a long time to read, and I about gave it up at times. There were a few good reminder tips (practice hospitality and have people over, work with your hands, and apologize sincerely and quickly) but a lot of this is standard to anyone who has read a self-help book about managing overload or finding margin in your life.

There was one quote, apropos to current events, that I felt was worth quoting: “The enemy of our souls wants us to be isolated and alone. He knows that when we're isolated, we're easy prey. Why? When we're alone and vulnerable, we feel afraid. When we're together and vulnerable, we become brave. A brave group of vulnerable people acting together in faith is not easily overcome by anxiety and stress.”

[Julie Ackeret · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been some time since I picked up a book and gleaned so much wisdom displayed in practical application as I have with this one.

I found myself reading and re-reading specific chapters based on the challenges that were posed and the self-reflection that it urged the reader to do.

An easy read with honest questions at the end of each chapter for the reader to examine where they’re at with each topic. I will say, I felt this book was applicable to me because it was geared toward the female reader. Not strictly for women, but just a disclosure.

- I love when a book challenges and changes me. Rhythms of Renewal did just that - renewed my spirit and my heart.

[Jennifer S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This devotional read was good. I don't know that it's one I would recommend to just anyone because I'm a torn on the appropriate audience. The aspects of rest and renwal are good and right and biblical, but I found myself wanting more depth.
I think I would recommend this devotional to someone who perhaps needs a little refresher or refocus. But for someone in the depths of anxiety or fear, it seems too simplistic and focuses more on presenting behaviors/habits.

[Lauren Shanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be Rebekah’s best book yet! It’s gorgeous inside and out. I love the way God’s truth and light speaks through her and brings refreshment and rejuvenation to the soul. Every tired and weary mama should read this!!

[Sarah DePalma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A re-read that is still so good! Great reset going into a busy time of year.

[Lillie Wynstra]

Is it ironic that I found this book exhausting? 🫠 I didn’t rate it with stars because I don’t think I can give it a fair assessment with the season I’m in. I’m moving toward welcoming my 3rd baby, and find the huge laundry list of things to do to renew yourself and restructure your life to be overwhelming, not renewing. I can see how a woman or mom who has a consistent schedule, and who doesn’t have kids home full time could really apply and enjoy this book. I found myself saying, “I don’t have the energy for that,” or “I don’t have time for that,” or “I’m never alone to be able to do that,” to almost every practical chapter 😅 maybe a book for a much later season or life.

[Baylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when it first came out and did the study along with it. This book is life changing but also practical. It’s fun to see what your prominent rhythm is and how you can in corporate these into your life the way God created us to be in rhythms🤍 very insightful and I love how Rebekah writes. It feels like your just chatting with a friend.

[Darby Stouffer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited about this one but I just didn’t connect with it for some reason. Also, minor pet peeve, it is much shorter than it looks. There are what feels like an unnecessary amount of blank pages. 😆

[{MyDearestClementine} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very encouraging!

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rebekah Lyons describes four "Rhythms of Renewal" she implemented in her life after anxiety attacks. She describes two input rhythms: Rest and Restore and two output rhythms: Connect and Create. Each of the four sections has several examples of what and how she implemented each in her own life.

This book is an introspective as you allow it to be in your own life. While I couldn't relate to each adaptation in Lyons life, it makes me think how in my own life and family I can take tools she describes to use.

This gave our women's study group fodder for conversation and how you can find kindred spirits even in very different home lives.

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was tough for me. I expected to absolutely love it based on the chapter titles, expecting it to be a similar vibe to “Almost Amish” by Nancy Sleeth. But for some reason I felt more demoralized with every chapter. Maybe because it felt too simple, like “just do what I do and you’ll be fine” but her life seemed pretty perfect rather than relatable, and I just sort of ended up feeling like a lonely failure. It also seemed simple in that it felt kind of like a collection of cliches more than new information. There were some good reminders, though.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really covered how to handle anxiety and stress in a way that is Biblical in today’s modern, technologically connected environment. I especially appreciated the sections related to social media as well as being fueled by a posture of rest. Anyone in todays society will be able to relate to this material as it’s so authentic and lays out tangible ways to rest and renew your spirit.