Life often delivers unexpected blows. Just when plans seem firm and the path looks clear, everything can collapse in seconds. Susan Kay Shepard knows this truth intimately. In her book “She Believed And He Moved Mountains,” she shares 24 real-life stories where moments of crisis met the unwavering power of prayer, faith, and divine timing. Through personal struggle and spiritual growth, Shepard offers a rare kind of wisdom found in the most authentic spiritual guidance books.
This isn’t a collection of abstract theories or feel-good affirmations. It’s raw testimony. It’s obedience in the trenches. It’s the kind of content that positions Shepard’s memoir among the best spiritual guidance books for women who need more than advice—they need spiritual reassurance backed by lived experience.
Anchored in Prayer: Why This Spiritual Journey Resonates
Among spiritual guidance books to read, Shepard’s stands out because it doesn’t preach from a pulpit. It walks beside the reader. From a shattered wedding plan to a nearly career-ending professional crisis, each chapter pulses with divine encounter.
The opening story sets the tone. A carefully planned wedding seems ruined when the venue unexpectedly shuts down weeks before the event. Instead of panic taking over, Shepard prays. Then comes an unexpected answer: “Call the Potato Lady.” A strange instruction—but one that leads to a miraculous solution. The venue is restored, the wedding saved, and a powerful message delivered: God hears. God moves.
These kinds of stories make it one of the best spiritual guidance books available, not only for its inspiring content but because of how clearly it shows the real-time effect of trusting God with every detail.
Facing Fire: Career Battles and Spiritual Refinement
A core section of the book details Shepard’s intense workplace conflict. After climbing the ladder at Fort Bragg, she finds herself targeted, undermined, and falsely accused by colleagues. What begins as career advancement turns into relentless psychological pressure.
But this is where the spiritual depth of her writing comes alive. Instead of retaliating or collapsing, Shepard turns to God in constant prayer. The result isn’t immediate rescue but deep inner transformation. She recognizes her own pride, forgives her persecutors, and prays not only for their salvation but their success.
The lesson isn’t about escaping conflict but being refined through it. Readers seeking meaningful spiritual growth books will find this section especially powerful, as it offers a roadmap for navigating betrayal with grace.
Forgiveness That Frees: One of the Boldest Christian Books for Women
Shepard doesn’t shy away from exposing old wounds. She recounts childhood abuse, being disbelieved by her mother, and betrayal by a mentor she once idolized. These aren’t minor hurts. They’re deep gashes that many women carry quietly.
Through prayer, biblical study, and time, she learns not only to forgive but to release. In one scene, she places an empty chair in front of her and has an invisible conversation with her late abuser, choosing to speak forgiveness. These acts of release become catalysts for emotional healing.
Books that fall under the category of Christian faith often tiptoe around this level of rawness. Shepard leans into it. Her story becomes a healing tool, especially for readers who’ve struggled to let go of emotional baggage or have questioned whether restoration is truly possible.
Obedience in the Ordinary: Miracles in Everyday Life
Not all of Shepard’s stories are dramatic. Many begin in seemingly mundane moments—a trip to a yard sale, a quiet drive home, an unexpected phone call. These are the moments where small acts of obedience reveal divine orchestration.
One chapter details how she prays for exactly eleven padded chairs for a women’s Bible study retreat. Days later, she spots a yard sale with eleven matching padded chairs for $4 each. It’s a small miracle, but one that reinforces the idea that God cares about every detail.
Another unforgettable story recounts how she picks up a distraught woman standing alone on a dark highway in the middle of the night. The woman had just prayed for a sign. Shepard’s arrival is no accident. That night, the woman accepts Christ in the warmth of Shepard’s car.
It’s these moments that elevate it above others in the spiritual guidance books genre. They aren’t just emotional or symbolic; they’re deeply spiritual, showing readers how obedience and attentiveness to God can alter someone else’s life.
Lessons in Vision: When God Speaks Directly
The book also introduces visions and spiritual impressions that Shepard receives. One such experience includes three sheets of paper, each bearing a message: “Don’t be surprised,” “Don’t be afraid,” and “Plan.” These words become spiritual anchors that guide her through seasons of confusion and transition.
Instead of discounting these as imagination, Shepard prays through each vision and confirms their scriptural grounding. In doing so, she shows how divine messages can provide clarity during life’s chaos.
This is where the book also aligns with readers seeking spiritual awakening books. These are the moments when the veil seems to lift, and heaven feels that much closer.
Why This Book Belongs on Every Spiritual Bookshelf
“She Believed And He Moved Mountains” isn’t just one of many spiritual guidance books to read. It’s a guidepost. A companion for anyone navigating deep waters. A personal testimony to the miracles that unfold when faith becomes more than a belief and evolves into action.
What makes it one of the best spiritual guidance books for women is its unfiltered voice. Shepard speaks plainly but powerfully. She doesn’t hide behind polished language or romanticized outcomes. When the story ends with loss, she names the grief. When it ends in triumph, she gives all credit to God.
Her journey through health scares, spiritual battles, and family challenges offers wisdom for women in every season of life. Whether you’re overcoming trauma, navigating professional pressure, or simply waiting on God for direction, this book delivers real answers through real stories.
A Closing Invitation to Trust Again
By the end of the book, readers are not left with a checklist but with conviction. Trust God again. Surrender the control. Pray with intention. Listen for His voice. Forgive and release.
For those searching for the most impactful spiritual guidance books, this one doesn’t just provide encouragement—it offers evidence. It shows the before, during, and after of a life led by the Holy Spirit.
“She Believed And He Moved Mountains” proves that even the smallest steps of obedience, taken in faith, can lead to mountains moving. It is more than a memoir. It’s a testimony. And for those who pick it up with an open heart, it will be a catalyst for change.