Sneak Peek: Kristen Wetherell’s New Book
By Melissa Kruger
I always like to know a little something about an author before I sit down to open up his or her book. Today, I’m excited to interview my friend Kristen Wetherell about her new book, Help for the Hungry Soul: Eight Encouragements to Grow Your Appetite for God’s Word. Sometimes in the Christian life we spend a lot of time learning how to correctly study, interpret, and apply the Bible, but then we struggle to actually use the tools and resources. It’s like having a lot of kitchen appliances but never sitting down to enjoy a meal.
Kristen’s book is an invitation to sit and savor the good things of God’s Word, not to check it off our list, but because our souls are hungry for the nourishment only God can provide. Help for the Hungry Soul releases on August 29, 2023, and you can pre-order a copy here!
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m married to Brad (who is a pastor), and we have three little kids (who keep me very busy!). Motherhood is my first and favorite job, and I also get to write books and speak. I’ve had the privilege of authoring several books for adults and a series of board books for kids that release in September.
When did you first start writing? What do you enjoy about it?
I started writing about 10 years ago during a hard season post-college, when I was living and working in NYC. I thought I wanted to pursue a vocation in theater, but God had other plans. Writing was borne from a need to process what I was experiencing—chronic pain, a lack of direction, loneliness—through the lens of God’s word. What started as blogging developed into books, and I am so grateful to God for this unexpected joy!
For me, writing has been a way to think on paper. I always try to write what God has written on my heart, as a learner first rather than a teacher. It’s also one way I can serve my local church and the wider church.
Is writing ever difficult for you? How so?
Almost always. Like anything else worth doing, writing is a discipline that takes…well, discipline. Far from being a “pie in the sky” idyllic job, writing is hard work, and I have to keep doing my job even when I don’t feel like it. With three young kids, my mental capacity is usually maxed out—but this makes me rely on the Holy Spirit all the more for his help and creativity.
“What if I told you that you could experience an actual miracle today—a supernatural act of God? And what if I told you that this involves opening your Bible?”
What led you to write Help for the Hungry Soul?
I was noticing a pattern among the women of our church: a desire to want to be in God’s word, but not a desire to actually do it. A lot of “supposed-to’s.” A lot of guilt and shame related to Bible reading. And much of it resonated with me! So I sought to write a book about the heart behind engaging with Scripture—not the how-to, but the why. We need a better reason to read the Bible than “I’m supposed to.”
What’s the central message you hope readers will take away from your book?
That God beckons us to be satisfied in him through his life-giving words, and that this pursuit isn’t about doing all the “right” practices, but about knowing a Person. I hope they will be refreshed and relieved by the many biblical ways they can engage with God’s words, laying down the burden of a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
How has writing this book affected your own life?
A large part of the book focuses on alternative ways to feed ourselves on the Bible, which has opened my eyes to how many there are! It has caused me to appreciate our church even more and the many women with whom I read and discuss Scripture in small group. It has also made me freshly dependent on the Spirit who alone can help me see God’s glory when I read his word.
For a sneak peek, here are some quotes:
“We need to rest in the many amazing opportunities and contexts we have to consume God’s word, rather than constantly feeling guilty about not having perfect daily devotions—what we have come to know as ‘quiet time.’”
“The point of our Scripture intake, then, isn’t to complete a process, attain a proficiency, or fix our problems, but to meet an actual person—truly, to encounter the risen Christ. Only then, as we encounter Jesus, will our appetite for him grow.”
“Private, devotional reading and study are very good things, as we have seen so far throughout this book. But Scripture shows us that God’s words have overarchingly been directed to his gathered people, not solely to individuals.”
Here’s what others are saying:
“In Help for the Hungry Soul, Kristen Wetherell has found a way to champion the habit of Bible reading without the frequent side effects of guilt or legalism. She invites us to dig deeper into God’s precious word while also freeing us from the obligatory ‘quiet time.’ This book is a hope-filled encouragement to those who long for more of God and yet constantly feel unable to find the time or energy to follow through.” —Kelly Needham, wife; mom of five; author, Friendish and Purposefooled
God beckons us to be satisfied in him through his life-giving words, and that this pursuit isn’t about doing all the “right” practices, but about knowing a Person.
“At last! A book that is full of encouragement in an area where many Christians feel only defeat. Help for the Hungry Soul will stir your heart to feed on God’s word. It will entice you with the why and equip you with the how.” —Colin Smith, Senior Pastor, The Orchard, Arlington Heights, Illinois; Founder and Bible Teacher, Open the Bible
“This book is more than a good read. It’s a life-changer that will increase your hunger for God’s word. Honest, personal stories from real people will enable you to identify with their struggles to grow in his word. Kristen Wetherell’s insights increase my commitment to pray for each of my twenty-one grandchildren to fall in love with the word of God (Ps. 119:105).” —Susan Alexander Yates, speaker; blogger, SusanAlexanderYates.com; author, Risky Faith and One Devotional
“Reading Help for the Hungry Soul will be a ministry of grace to you. Not only will this book stir your appetite for the deep things of God, but it will also give you a satisfying and nourishing meal along the way.” —Jared C. Wilson, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Author in Residence, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; author, The Imperfect Disciple and Love Me Anyway
If you had an afternoon to do whatever you’d like, where would we find you?
Lately you would find me on a date with my husband or spending time with a friend. “Free time” is hard to come by these days, so I always enjoy an hour or two of adult conversation!
Kristen Wetherell is a pastor’s wife to Brad, mother of three, writer, and speaker. She is the author of several books including Help for the Hungry Soul and Humble Moms, coauthor of the award-winning Hope When It Hurts, and editor of 12 Faithful Women. She also has a new series of board books for kids called “For the Bible Tells Me So” releasing this fall. She also enjoys serving her congregation at The Orchard in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Read more of Kristen’s writing on her website.
