[3][4] She decided to become a Christian counselor, and enrolled at Covenant Theological Seminary in Creve Coeur, Missouri, where she met her husband, Stephen Young, a third-generation missionary.

While meditating on God’s protection, visualizing those she cared for encircled by the Holy Spirit, Young had a mystical experience where she was enveloped by light and overcome by peace.

In the following years, Young's chronic health conditions, including Lyme disease, melanoma, and vertigo, often left her housebound.

[2][3] Jesus Calling, published in 2004,[3] started modestly but surged in popularity following a renewed marketing effort by Thomas Nelson.

The devotional book, composed of daily spiritual readings purportedly written in the voice of Jesus Christ, became a bestseller in the Christian literary world.

Additionally, the Jesus Calling brand expanded into podcasts, an app, a magazine, and a television show, collectively selling over 45 million units as of August 2023.

Various critics have raised questions about Young's work, calling it heretical, cult-like or idolatrous, though these have not been confirmed by any noteable authorities.