In Letters to an American Lady, C. S. Lewis wrote, “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us: we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” Do I hear an “Amen”?
Some unrealistic expectations contaminated my early faith in Jesus. Because the Bible says the Lord goes before me and behind me and lays His hand upon me (Ps. 139:5), I thought He surely shielded those who walked with Him from pain.
When I bought my first car, I even wondered why God’s children needed car insurance. Doesn’t God take care of us? In the span of a couple of years, my car was in three accidents. None of them were my fault. Twice it was stopped or parked where it was supposed to be. But I had to pay each time. My heavenly Father took care of me, not by sparing me of aggravation, but by teaching me how to walk with Him through the disappointments of an unfair world.
Working as a counselor, I learned it’s not uncommon for Christians to be confused over their painful circumstances. They wonder how their losses could have happened when they’d honored God with good lives. Was there something wrong with them—or with God?
Photo by: Nitin Bhosale
I hope my new book, Little Women, Big God, will free people from the disillusionment pain and hardship can cause. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible shows God’s chosen followers suffered slavery, abuse, imprisonment, and even martyrdom while those who spit at God luxuriated in palaces. Even the women in Jesus’ genealogy weren’t spared great difficulties and unfairness. Take a peek:
- Tamar’s wicked husband used her for sex and prevented her from conceiving the child she needed for companionship, acceptance, and security.
- Rahab supported herself as a professional prostitute in a pagan culture. What hope did she have of a happy and decent life?
- Ruth, a widowed foreigner, had less status than a lowly servant girl when poverty forced her to glean barley for food.
But God wove an amazing twist into each one’s story. God’s intervention on behalf of these women shows us that happy endings don’t depend the size of our problems or even the size of our faith, but on the size of our God. As God created beauty from ashes for them, so He’s promised to do the same for us who love Him (Romans 8:28).
What challenge or suffering has dwarfed your courage or faith? Trials teach us we need a big God. The women in Jesus’ family tree show us we have one in Jesus.
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Blessings,
Debbie W. Wilson
Sometimes I link up with these great sites: #TestimonyTuesday, #IntentialTuesday, #TuesTalk, #Tell it to me Tuesdays, #A Little R & R Wednesdays #w2wwordfilledwednesday, #Wedded Wednesday, #Women with Intention, #LivefreeThursday, #Grace and Truth, #Faith ‘n Friends
Love that title, Debbie. Little Women, Big God. So often we can become consumed by the size of our problems that we fail to remember the Bigness of our God. Happy to be neighboring you at Holly’s place today. Good luck with your book. 🙂 ((blessings))
Thank you, Brenda!
Such a great book title, Debbie – and the cover is beautiful. I love how God used these incredible women from such unlikely heritage to write His story of grace and redemption. Looking forward to checking out the book. Glad to be your neighbor at #testimonytuesday.
Tiffany, I also love how God highlighted these women. We Gentiles, like them, were foreigners and outcasts before God grafted us in. I see myself in their stories.
Wow Debbie! I love this post. “…happy endings don’t depend on the size of our problems or even the size of our faith, but on the size of our God. ” It’s taken several bouts with disillusion for that truth to sink into my soul. Also, congratulations on your book! May God use it to shatter our myths and enthrone His majesty! #RaRaLinkup
Thank you, Joy! So great to connect with you.
I like how you say that God does not “spare us from aggravation” – that’s a good word. It’s the little foxes that destroy the vine – those little aggravations! In City of God, St Augustine said that the only difference between the pagan and the Christian wasn’t what they suffered, because they both suffered from the same challenges. It was how they lived through the challenges/suffering that made all the difference. God in it makes all the difference!You made such good points on a hard subject! Shalom!
~Maryleigh
Maryleigh., you are so right. We all suffer, but having God makes a huge difference in how we suffer. Thank you so much for sharing!
I’ve always loved that C.S. Lewis comment. It echoes much of what I feel on a daily basis, Deb! But as you’ve said, God is more than big enough to take care of me when I do hit those painful places in life. I can’t wait to read your new book, my friend. It sounds like it will be one that many women will resonate with and value! Hugs to you!
Thank you, Beth. I appreciate you!
Your book sounds wonderful -Little Women, Big God – don’t we all need to be “freed from the disillusionment pain and hardship can cause”. I appreciate the wisdom in your post, and look forward to your book. Keep us all posted! Blessings!
Thank you, Sandra. Yes, we do!
Debbie this is one of the most encouraging posts there could be! The end doesn’t depend on the beginning! Praise God!
Wow, Ann. I love your summary! Thanks so much, my friend.
Such a great reminder because it can be easy to question why bad things happen to us and doubt God’s goodness.
Thanks, Sarah. We have an enemy that slanders God in our thoughts. I’m convinced pain draws his attacks.