Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day | Kate Bowler

Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day!: Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs & In-Betweens

Accolades & Praise

• New York Times Bestseller: A celebrated collection of reflections from the four-time New York Times bestselling author.
• Highly Anticipated: Widely praised for providing an honest, refreshing alternative to toxic positivity.

Extended Synopsis

Kate Bowler believes that the cultural pressure to be cheerful and optimistic at all times has taken a toll on our faith. But what if we could find better language than forced positivity to express our hopes and our anxieties? Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day! is packed with bite-size reflections and action-oriented steps to help you get through the day, be it good, bad, or totally mediocre.

This is a devotional for the rest of us—which is to say, the people who don’t have magical lives that always work out for the best. Composed during a season of chronic pain, Bowler understands how every day can be an obstacle course. She encourages us to develop our capacity to feel the breadth of our experiences, proving that the better we are at identifying our highs and lows, the more resilient we become.

Like modern-day psalms, Bowler’s spiritual reflections look for the ways we can expand our capacity for courage, love, and honesty—while discovering divine moments with God. Featuring bonus sections specifically designed for the seasons of Advent and Lent, this book helps build a daily habit of spiritual attentiveness. May all your days be lovely. But for those that aren’t, have a beautiful, terrible day!

About the Author

Kate Bowler is the four-time New York Times bestselling author of memoirs including Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I’ve Loved) and No Cure for Being Human. A Duke University professor and podcaster, she is renowned for her profound, witty, and deeply honest explorations of faith, chronic pain, and the realities of human limitation.

Reader Targeting

• Readers seeking honest, relatable devotionals that reject toxic positivity.
• Individuals navigating chronic pain, grief, or the realities of a difficult season of life.
• Christians looking for daily reflections, including guided meditations for Advent and Lent.

Bibliographic & Physical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this book about?
It is a witty, honest collection of daily spiritual reflections designed to help you navigate good days, bad days, and entirely mediocre ones without succumbing to the pressures of toxic positivity.

Does it include specific seasonal devotions?
Yes, the book includes bonus sections with reflections meant specifically for the seasons of Advent and Lent.

Who is the intended audience?
Bowler describes it as a devotional "for the rest of us"—people who don't live magical, perfect lives, including those dealing with chronic pain and the everyday obstacles of life.

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