What should I write about on the day Little Faith, Big God releases? Do I talk about the process of writing, what I learned, or about the book? For me, each of my book releases has gotten buried in the messiness of life. The truth is, life doesn’t stop for celebrations or sorrow.
In reading John 15-17, I was struck by how often Jesus spoke about joy. How could He talk of joy knowing that very night He would be betrayed and the next day be crucified? How can the “man of sorrows” be anointed with joy more than anyone else (Is. 53:3; Heb. 1:9)? Hebrews 12:2 provides an answer.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (NIV).
Jesus had an eternal perspective. He trusted His Father (1 Pet. 2:23) and chose to focus more on what His crucifixion would accomplish than on the sorrow and pain it required. Yet He didn’t deny the sorrow.
Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour” (Jn 12:17 NIV).
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission” (Heb. 5:7 NIV).
How could it say Jesus’ request was granted when He died a cruel death on the cross?
Once again Scripture points to an eternal perspective. The Father saved Jesus from death, not by delivering Him from passing through it, but by raising Him from it!
The Father saved Jesus from death, not by delivering Him from passing through it, but by raising Him from it! #victory, #Jesus Click To TweetI pray hoping God will spare me from pain and loss. But often His answer is to bring me through a trial into a place of greater victory (James 1:2-4).
In the last month I prayed God would protect my sister’s heart when she had a terrible case of the flu. Because of her health history I feared she would have a heart attack. God brought her through the flu. The next week she had a heart attack.
Did God hear my prayer?
Did God hear my prayer? He didn’t prevent a heart attack. But He did spare her life, and she is on the mend.
I pray for my good friend and prayer partner to be healed of cancer. However, every scan says our prayers aren’t being heard. Yet, her faith remains vibrant. We end every prayer singing and laughing together. (Mostly laughing at our singing!) God is using her cancer as a megaphone to proclaim her hope in Jesus. Her well-being rests in God, not in a medical prognosis.
Friday morning, I woke up early to the sound of wind whipping the trees beside our window. I feared one would crash through my bedroom. I prayed for God’s protection and moved to the basement when my husband got up. About the time I settled down I felt a big thud jar the house. A tree landed on our house beside our bed. Thankfully, no one was injured. God protected our lives even though He allowed the tree to fall.
Before Christmas my beloved female standard poodle lost her appetite and ability to hold down food. Two vets said there was little they could do. Her liver was failing. We prayed, and she improved over Christmas. We celebrated her 7th birthday in January. This weekend she started failing fast. I don’t know what broke my heart more, to see my playful girl too weak to walk or to watch my family grieve. Monday, we lost her.
What does this have to do with the launch of Little Faith, Big God?
My recent trials remind me of why I wrote Little Faith, Big God and why I hope you’ll read it. You and I face faith-squashing challenges. That is why faith can’t be in faith itself. It must rest on the shoulders of our big God.
God is bigger than a human lifespan. That means some things won’t make sense from our limited perspective. We must remember that God is bigger than any trial or loss. As surely as the resurrection followed the cross, eternal joy waits on the other side of trouble and suffering.
Hebrews 11 highlights ordinary people who walked with God through failure, weakness, and disappointment into victory and faith. They reveal the practical benefits of faith and a Savior worthy of our trust. Let them show you how to live strong and finish well.
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance… Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (Heb. 11:13, 16 NIV).
Learn more and order your copy here.
#Faith can’t be in faith itself. It must rest on the shoulders of our big God. #LittleFaithBigGod Click To TweetBlessings,
Sometimes I link with these great sites:
#InstaEncouraements, #TellHisStory #Recharge Wednesday, #TuneinThursaday, #Dance with Jesus, #FreshMarketFriday, #Grace&Truth, #Faith ‘n Friends
My faith rests in Him. When I go to Him, I am comforted with His peace. Great message Debbie. I look forward to reading your book. Praying for you dear friend.
Thank you, Melissa. The greater the battle the bigger the victory!
Debbie first of all I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved pet. That is never easy. I pray you feel God’s comfort and presence through the loss. Congratulations on the release of your book! That is wonderful. I relate to all you shared – the truth is He often answers differently than what we are hoping – but He always answers and He sees the end from the beginning so we can trust He will bring great good from even those sorrowful times. I wish you great success!!
Thank you, Ann! We can trust Him!
Unfortunately I can’t be at your book release today, but I hope at another time to hear you talk about the process of writing, what you learned, and I can’t wait to study your book !
I’m so so sorry about your beloved dog
:,( Life is full of sorrows & yet God fills us with joy when we recognize He’s carrying us through this life, through our sorrows to eternal joy.
today for your book launch!
Thank you, Janice! Our loss has left a hole, but she is worth the grieving process.
Lots of prayers for you, your family, and your new book. I’ve enjoyed reading it, and can’t wait to receive my own paper copy. Prayers that many lives are touched through your willingness to share the words God placed in your heart and mind Ms. Debbie. God’s blessings ma’am.
Thank you, J.D. I appreciate your encouragement and prayers.
This was JUST the post I needed to see today as I was really struggling with a prayer I had prayed where the complete opposite happened which can happen often. How quickly I was forgetting ALL the miracle answer to prayers that the Lord has not only done in my lifetime, but just in the past two weeks!
Thanks for providing a perspective shift for me, and thank you so much for sharing.
Praise the Lord! I’m so thankful for God‘s timing, Karen.
Congratulations on the release of your book! It sounds amazing. I pray it touches many.
I’m so sorry about the loss of your sweet doggy. Our pets become part of the family.
Thanks for the lovely post.
Thank you, Beckie. I think the love we feel for our pets helps us understand God’s love for us.
Hi Debbie, loved your post. Its a reminder that no matter how life looks, God is in control. I love the statement you make, we can’t have faith in faith itself! If we did, we would not last long that is for sure. Thankful that our God is a big God. Visiting from instaencourage link-up.
God bless
Tracy
Amen, Tracy. I wouldn’t last a nanosecond.
I’m so excited to read this and share on the InstaEncouragements blog, Debbie. Congrats on the book launch!
Pinned to a couple of boards & tweeted. You may be interested in joining our “Books You Will Love” group board.
Thank you for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Thank you, Patsy. I would love to join that!
Congratulations on the release of this encouraging book! Well done, Debbie. Thanks for sharing your faith story!
Thank you, Erin!
Sounds like a book I need right now. Visiting from the recharge wed link up
Lauren, I hope it encourages you. It did me to study these people of faith and see God’s grace anew.
So good, Debbie. You are right – God may not answer all of our prayers. Our plan is not His plan. He is with us always, helping us through the hard times and joyful with us in the good times. I loved this: ” pray hoping God will spare me from pain and loss. But often His answer is to bring me through a trial into a place of greater victory.”
Thank you, Laurie!
I am sorry to hear of your loss of your dog, Debbie. Congratulations on your book. Messages of hope is so important-hope in Him. I hadn’t seen “joy” in the Hebrews verse before! Reminds me how I can miss the joy when not focused on Him. Thanks for this today.
Thank you, Lynn. Well said, we miss the joy we we aren’t focused on Him.