Many young adults struggle to find hope and healing during difficult times. Modern life often disconnects individuals from their faith and inner peace. People facing grief and personal trauma need a reliable path to spiritual renewal. Traditional self-help resources do not always address the deep spiritual aches of loss and changing identity.
Mariah Schneider offers a direct solution in her debut book, The Living Water. This 21-year-old author combines prayers, poems, and reflective prose to guide readers back to self-awareness and God’s love. Today, we sit down with Mariah to discuss her spiritual path, her creative process, and the core message of her new book.
Q: You wrote The Living Water during seasons of intense personal growth and spiritual awakening. What inspired you to share these private reflections with the world?
Mariah Schneider: At the time of writing these reflections, healing was uncomfortable and deeply painful. I was forced to accept a new version of myself beyond what I was familiar with in order to receive deeper healing. Poetry is what led me to express this newness—this light within me that needed to shine, rooted in faith.
There is a parable in the Bible where Jesus shares a lesson about shining light called “The Lamp on the Stand.” He emphasizes that if one has light, it is better to let it shine rather than hide it. How could we see what is around us without light? Sharing my vulnerable reflections with the world is my way of shining the light God gave me.
Most often, we hide our pain and seasons of healing. But what if we used them to guide others or even help heal them? For anyone reading my book, I desire that you would be encouraged to experience Jesus in a deeper way that transforms your walk with God through faith. After reading my book, it is my hope that you understand that everything you may have experienced or are feeling can turn around in a moment’s time. It’s trusting God that can make that happen.
Q: Your book combines poetry, heartfelt prayers, and reflective prose. How does blending these different writing styles help readers connect with their faith?
Mariah Schneider: Poetry can describe an experience through wordplay and analogies, much like a fictional story that connects with the reader. Prayers connect to the soul within, much like a rhythmic song, inviting the listener to respond through dancing, crying, or being still. Reflective prose allows the reader to practice reflection for themselves, encouraging movement and growth.
I believe blending these different writing styles helps readers experience the many layers of restoration that take place through walking with Jesus. Those layers include experiencing hardship, growth, speaking to Him, sometimes begging Him, and at other times praising and exalting Him. Finally, readers are brought back to the action of self-reflection, which I believe is the root of receiving God’s love.
Q: The collection addresses heavy topics like trauma, grief, and spiritual warfare. How did the writing process help you through your own restoration?
Mariah Schneider: Writing is often an expression of what we feel when emotion cannot fully describe it. It helped me understand what I was experiencing beyond what I could label with words. I began to recognize that God was healing parts of me I didn’t even know were wounded, which, in turn, allowed me to embrace the freedom Christ was bringing within me. Through this process, I found acceptance, a new vision, and a renewed perspective rooted in deeper trust in God. It was as though a door had opened that I never knew existed. Many of these writings were created without knowing how they would end or what the message was. I wrote what I felt, which most of the time was heartache, dismay, and unraveling from within. Writing helped me uncover the roots of emotions I didn’t yet understand. It became an entrance into a deeper relationship with Jesus, where I began receiving His healing. Looking back, I can see that writing wasn’t just part of my creative process– it became part of my restoration.
Q: You bring a unique Gen Z perspective to themes of motherhood, womanhood, and faith. How do you hope your voice resonates with young adults facing similar challenges?
Mariah Schneider: Many Gen Z young adults are experiencing loneliness, dissociation, toxic family experiences, and questions about believing in God. I hope my voice encourages those facing any of these hardships to know they are not alone and that hope is what can move them beyond their circumstances. Once we choose to hope for something better, our minds begin to believe that better is possible. From there, we begin to see the possibilities of how we can attain the life we desire.
Through my poetry and prayers, I have expressed that I have questioned my belief in God and His power. I still experience loneliness at times, and I still feel pain. But it is the hope in God, along with the choices we make, that can guide us through these challenges.
Q: You describe your writing as an offering to God and a way back to Jesus. What practical advice do you have for readers trying to rebuild their own spiritual foundation?
Mariah Schneider: A foundation takes time to build. Sometimes believers may perceive this as a difficult task, but the main advice I have is to feed your hunger for God and practice self-discipline.
I believe anyone trying to rebuild their spiritual foundation must first feed their hunger for God in whatever way draws them closest to Him. For me, that is spreading love and helping others through what I have learned. Feeding your hunger for Christ keeps the fire within you alive and deepens your dependence on Christ, which, in turn, strengthens your foundation.
Self-discipline is necessary throughout this process because, while building our foundation, we grow tired, uncomfortable, and sometimes unmotivated. Yet when we choose to pray while we’re tired or show love when we’re discouraged, that is when the real foundation begins to be laid through our hearts becoming dependent on Christ and not ourselves.
At first, it may seem scary, but it isn’t. It’s simply uncomfortable because it’s new and unfamiliar. But just like a tree, over time, your roots will grow deeper and stronger as your fruit begins to flourish.
Q: You mention that divine love is present even in our most broken moments. What is the most important lesson you want readers to take away from your book?
Mariah Schneider: Yes, love is eternal. It is an everlasting flow of peace. God is love (1 John 4:8).
The most important lesson I want readers to take away from my book is that hardship will always exist. It is often uncomfortable to face and even more difficult to heal from. Yet it is our confidence in God’s promises that guide us beyond suffering, beyond what we have been conditioned to believe through our experiences. God has more for you than what you have experienced. Let His living water flow through you by remaining open to what He wants to do beyond what you currently understand.
Faith and creativity provide strong tools for facing life’s darkest valleys. Mariah Schneider demonstrates how honest reflection and spiritual poetry heal deep emotional wounds. Her approach turns personal trauma and grief into a shared experience of restoration. Readers gain practical encouragement to confront their struggles with renewed trust.
Finding authentic voices in spiritual literature remains vital as younger generations seek meaningful connections. Authors willing to share their raw vulnerability help others build stronger faith foundations. The Living Water serves as a helpful companion for anyone walking toward healing and divine love.
Get a copy of the book at https://a.co/d/02An5iJB
