2026 Christlit Book Awards Winner

"…a masterfully crafted exploration of faith and resilience." -Louise Jane, CEO, Christlit Book Awards

"A moving, distinctly Christian work about finding fulfillment in the simplicity of God's gifts." -Kirkus Reviews

"Brenner shares his intimate journey of success, disillusionment, and lifelong Christian faith in this moving debut memoir…. offering readers a roadmap to navigate hard times through spiritual transformation." -BookLife by Publishers Weekly

What if who we become is more important than what we achieve?

In Journey Through the Valley, David shares a deeply personal and honest memoir of spiritual growth forged in the crucible of pressure, performance, and pain. As a high-achieving executive, devoted husband, and father, David once believed that success meant constantly climbing the ladder, staying composed, and always being "enough." But beneath the polished surface was a man unraveling under the impossible weight of modern expectations.

With vulnerability and insight, David recounts how his pursuit of success at any cost left him weary and disconnected-from his purpose, his family, and even himself. It was only when he hit the wall of burnout that he began to discover a new path-one shaped not by striving, but by surrender.

Through failures, doubts, and unexpected grace, Journey Through the Valley is a story of transformation. It's an invitation to rethink what it means to truly live well-not by the standards of today's culture, but by the quiet call of Jesus: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

This book is for anyone who has forgotten their "why" in the whirlwind of doing, for those exhausted from chasing a version of success that never satisfies. David's journey reminds us that even in our lowest valleys, we are never alone.