This is an all-out war against true believers. Instead of schemes, the enemy sometimes uses a sledge-hammer on us. Just remember—he hates our guts and wants to paralyze us.
When I talk to friends about what could be happening—why so many Christians seem to be suffering—they sometimes say that the American church needs to be pruned, that we have it so easy here that we’re shallow and flabby. There are people all over the world who are persecuted for their faith. In Iraq, many Christians are being slaughtered for refusing to convert to Islam, yet they demonstrate such deep faith that they don’t fall away, even when it means their death. Let’s face it, American Christians do have it easy by comparison. However, I don’t think that the shallowness in the American church has made God overlook us or turn His back on us. Instead of pruning us corporately, the way He does in countries where persecution is rampant and deadly, He works in our lives individually to prune us in different ways. Yes, we are blessed with peace and the freedom to worship as we want, so we often take that for granted. But He loves us enough to work in our lives anyway. That means that He sometimes allows the enemy to persecute us individually—through grief, sickness, physical and emotional pain, disappointment, financial hardship, legal issues, etc., in order to deepen our faith. I have to remind myself that He chooses how much we’re pruned. Satan can do nothing without God’s permission. Our Creator is in control.
I can either rail at God and wave my fists at Him—and fall away from faith—or I can trust that whatever He’s allowing into my life is for a reason, and it will make me the kind of Christian He wants me to be. In other words, He isn’t letting us off the hook just because we enjoy so many freedoms. He works in the lives of each individual Christian—shallow or deep, insightful or dense—and matures us through specific, custom-designed trials. Peter said, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation” (1 Peter 4:12–13 NASB).
I guess it comes down to trust in God. Can we trust Him with our development as Christians, even if it hurts? I was just listening to an interview by a burn victim, who talked about the process of debriding his skin each day—having it scrubbed in an excruciating attempt to keep it from getting infected so it would heal. If that hadn’t happened, he wouldn’t be here today, but what a horrible thing to endure each day. Still, he came out on the other side, and while I’m sure he still has massive scars, he’s a different person because of it. Maybe it’s the same way with us. What God allows to get us where He wants us can be agonizing, and it can leave scars. But Jesus has scars, too, and He will use that pain for good if we let Him.
This life is not about our comfort. We have an eternity for that. I really think this is about training and testing. We will have work to do in Heaven, work that is fulfilling and perfect for us. God needs to develop certain skill sets in us before that time. That may be what this life is about.
As I close this, I’m praying for you, for all of us, that we will be found faithful and that these assaults bring us closer to our Lord rather than knocking us away from Him. May we never let the enemy have the victory.
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2–4 NASB).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How do you feel about Holly’s and Creed’s relationship? Is Holly making a mistake?
2. Was Holly right to keep Creed in the dark about Lily?
3. How has Creed redeemed himself? Or has he?
4. Have there been times in your life when you felt God was disgusted with you?
5. Do you think Holly is a good mother? Is Creed a good father? What makes a good parent?
6. Were you bothered by the author’s handling of Holly’s “single mom” status?
7. Does God have a plan for broken people who’ve made mistakes? Does He send an ambulance or a firing squad?
8. Discuss Michael’s reaction to his hard times. How did he remain positive?
9. How did faith play a role in each character’s life?
10. How have you grown through reading about Holly?
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Over the years, I’ve been blessed to work with some of the finest publishing professionals in the business, so I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge one of them now. One of the first people I met when I switched to writing Christian fiction was David Lambert. I had worked with many New York editors in my career, but I quickly saw that Dave was by far the best. Though he is brutal with every manuscript I turn in, he never fails to spark ideas and motivate me into taking my book to the next level. It’s hard work pleasing him, but I have to give him credit for much of my success. Some people think I’m a glutton for punishment when I ask for him time after time, but I know that he’s the one who can make me work the hardest to deliver an entertaining read. So thank you, Dave, for all you’ve done to make me the author I am today.
And to all the other editors I work with to polish and perfect my work (though it will never be perfect)—among them Ellen Tarver, Amanda Bostic, Susan Brower, Karen Ball, Bob Hudson, and Ami McConnell—I want to thank you too. You have each invested something important in me, something that has helped me mature as a writer, and you’ve made my books more readable, more entertaining, and more spiritually challenging.
I would not be here if it weren’t for all of you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of Intervention, Vicious Cycle, and Downfall, as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and Restoration.
www.terriblackstock.com
Facebook: tblackstock
Twitter: @terriblackstock
Terri Blackstock, Twisted Innocence
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