Relief and longing swirled with hesitation. He hadn’t called her yesterday because he hadn’t wanted the loss to be true. He didn’t have some pastor-like perspective to share to explain it.
These lines are from a draft of my upcoming novel, A Surefire Love, when the hero, Anson, is at his lowest.
Someone pointed out that Anson, a pastor known to drop Bible verses into casual conversation, surely would know some Bible passages that applied to the situation I’d put him in.
True! But there isn’t one in the scene.
I don’t know about you, but in my own low points, the go-to Bible verses about God having good plans for me or about Him working all things for good feel cliché at best.
I think it’s because I fell into that valley when some flawed idea I had gave way.
For example, consider the idea, “If God loves me, He’ll protect me from scary situations.” Even before I was rear-ended by a semi-truck on the interstate, I could’ve told you that was flawed thinking. Yet afterward, I wrestled with some pretty strong emotions over being forced to release that idea more completely—and that’s despite the fact that we weren’t seriously injured.
When one of my quietly embraced ideas is proven wrong like that, I start to wonder what else I might be wrong about. Perhaps the way I apply some of those comforting Bible verses is wrong too?
Recovering from a situation like that is like hiking out of a valley. The Lord has to lead me one step at a time until finally, I can not only see the truth way up there on the mountaintop but can fully embrace it. At that point, God sometimes lets me look back and see at least some of what He was up to—and what a beautiful thing to glimpse!
For example, with that car accident, I can now see God’s protection in the situation, and I can confirm that He did indeed use it for my good.
I get that books that dive into difficult topics aren’t for everyone, but I love to venture into valleys with my characters. Their journeys help me work out my faith, and I love the view from the end. It’s also my prayer that characters like Anson would be gentle company to readers who are themselves traveling difficult terrain. After all, hiking is so much more enjoyable (and safer!) with company.
So, back to Anson and his low point.
He’d just been forced to release an idea that he also could’ve told you was flawed thinking, and he was still reeling. So, I didn’t take the comment about him knowing relevant Bible verses as a suggestion to add verses. I think the point was to be more accurate about what Anson was experiencing in the moment.
Here’s the rewrite:
Relief and longing encouraged him toward her, but hesitation kept him buckled to his seat. He hadn’t called her yesterday because he didn’t want the loss to be true. He didn’t understand what God was doing. Couldn’t claim he liked it. He knew verses about situations like these, but applying them felt like finding comfort in clichés.
The rewrite still finds Anson in the valley, but since he’s the hero, you can bet he’s not in that valley to camp. He’s there to hike, and he’s headed toward some beautiful scenery he just can’t see yet.
Take the journey with us by pre-ordering A Surefire Love here!
As you’ve likely heard by now, the Inspy Romance blog is closing down. It’s been a privilege to journey with you here these last couple of years, and I hope that continues through other platforms.
One way is, of course, to pre-order. You can also sign up for my newsletters at emilyconradauthor.com.
What book helped you through a valley of some kind?
I’ll go first. As a perfectionist, I loved the way that subject was handled in Falling for You by Becky Wade.
Emily Conrad writes contemporary Christian romance that explores life’s relevant questions. Though she likes to think some of her characters are pretty great, the ultimate hero of her stories (including the one she’s living) is Jesus. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and their energetic coonhound rescue. Learn more about her and her books at emilyconradauthor.com.
I really enjoyed this blog, because I think we are far too quick to give a Bible verse as a platitude rather than to stop and ponder what God is really doing in the situation. In that pondering, God will bring relevant Scripture verses to mind, but we need to ‘be still and know that He is God….’
Oh, I love this approach – taking time to be still and know and let God bring the right Scripture to mind.
I honestly can’t name a specific book, though books got me through the days after Mom’s passing. Just being able to escape into a good book was a huge help! I’m already stalking you, too!
I can’t think of a specific book either, but at times when I’ve been struggling, it has really helped to read about people of faith going through difficult times and eventually finding solace in the Lord – but seeing their struggles is important.
I can’t think of a specific book either, but the thing that never fails to surprise me is the perception that if God loves me nothing bad will ever happen. A friend prayed and God said she wouldn’t have to worry about money if she returned to full time study, but when she ran out of money it occurred to me that not having to worry is not the same as her assumption that she would have enough money.
At the end of the day God sent Jesus to teach us to fish not to provide fish for us and that is moving through the Valley to me.
Not sure. I know there are books I relate to due to the subject or a character who is going through what I am and gives me hope.
I am anything but a perfectionist. I am a procrastinator which in itself is an issue. I try so hard have good intentions but still things happen at the last moment.
The Bible helped me through when my Mom went to the Lord. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
So grateful we’ll get to stay connected, Trudy! Yes, sometimes fiction is a much-needed and comforting break from reality. When my grandma went on hospice, I remember how much I appreciated the lighthearted story I was reading at the time.
Books can be just the friend (and encouragement) we need sometimes! I’m glad you’ve found helpful ones when you’ve needed them. I agree that seeing the struggle is important. The hope means more that way!
Hm, that’s a very interesting difference, isn’t it? I could see writing a whole book exploring those ideas!
Everybody’s brain works a little differently, doesn’t it? Yet it’s always nice to see some of our own struggles reflected in fiction for the hope, like you said :)
The Bible is always the go-to! I’m so grateful that in Jesus, we have hope, even in such heartbreaking circumstances.
Feel free, it’s an interesting distinction that humans often forget. :)