a story he doesn’t want you to hear

Copy of Why I'd Love (3)

If the mind is a battlefield, mine was host to a full-fledged war this weekend. Cannons, trebuchets — everything in the arsenal. After weeks of going back and forth, I finally decided to submit my second book to the same contest I entered last year.

And that’s when things started going wrong…

“It’s almost like the devil doesn’t want this story to get out there,” I told my critique partners, even though I don’t believe the devil has that kind of power or authority.

But I’m not about to let him win. Today, I’m going to share the message of my second book with no character specifics. Rather, I’m going to share how I learned it in my own life.

Many of you know that I was diagnosed with an autoimmune-type illness when I was sixteen years old, the effects of which forced me to make a decision:

Am I going to sit here and mourn that this changes the way I live? Let it debilitate me and limit me? Or am I going to find a way to cope with this and let it make me stronger?

I became focused on the idea of a “new normal”, which helped my attitude a lot. I mean, I could have something much worse. And even though there’s no cure, my symptoms can go into periods of remission with just the right roulette of treatment. So I settled into my new normal, bracing for each rise and fall of the roller coaster until, after 12 years, something changed.

My book ideas are often inspired by Bible verses and songs. This one was inspired by a question.

When was the last time you asked for healing?

More people than you think are suffering from chronic symptoms. Disease, depression, injury, temptation, addiction, guilt, grief. It’s hard on people’s faith. It’s hard going through the fire, and it’s hard deciding to emerge stronger. But when you’ve adjusted to a new normal for many years, it’s also easy to focus so much on coping that you forget the possibility of healing.

Here’s the deal. This is obviously a multi-fold issue. I don’t know why good people suffer. I don’t know why some people don’t experience healing until heaven. What I have seen firsthand is that God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), that trials produce perseverance (James 1:2), and that the way you react to your problems can impact others in powerful ways.

The message in my second book focuses on not losing sight of the hope that circumstances can always change by the infinite power of God. That sometimes healing doesn’t happen in some miraculous moment. Sometimes it’s a daily decision, something that takes hard work.

Hopefully my characters will remind people that God created us to have a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10), not just to barely cope. And that full life is worth fighting for.

Hopefully my own life will say the same.

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  • I believe in healing. The practice of healing is daily walk of faith. I mean faith is the whole basis of being a Christian. It’s like carrying around an umbrella long before the sight of any rain. I always pair my belief of healing with making sure all my “doors” are closed and not speaking once ounce of negative. I thank God for already doing it long before I see those results. Matthew 8:17 is a wonderful verse for healing. Thank you for sharing this today I needed it. 🙂

    • Love the metaphor of the umbrella and the perspective on healing!

  • You inspire me dear friend! “That sometimes healing doesn’t happen in some miraculous moment. Sometimes it’s a daily decision, something that takes hard work.” I find so much encouragement in this. And you are right, that this message of truth, needs to be told! Thank you for sharing your heart.

  • Bonnie Roof says:

    Thank you for that wonderful post, Laurie!!

    I can fully relate to the pain of auto-immune diseases, and am praying, not only for your healing, but joy and peace – as you fight for that “whole” life!!

    You are a blessing and encouragement – may you be blessed 10X that which God uses you to bless others!!

    • Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. Confession: I texted Jaime and told her I was thrilled you’d commented on my blog. Happy to have you here!

  • Melissa Tagg says:

    I’m commenting a couple days late, Laurie, but just wanted to let you know how much I love this post. I think those daily decisions–to trust God and keep moving forward and choose hope–those can sometimes be more difficult than the bigger decisions. The thing is, those small daily ones are as life-changing as the big ones. Thanks for the awesome post!

    • Thanks for the encouragement and leaving a comment! I hope this message will continue making itself known in powerful ways.