A Glimmer of Faith in the Midst of Doubt

You will keep him in perfect peace 

whose mind is stayed on you. 

Isaiah 26:3

She regarded the brightly shining angel, with its synthetic blonde-hair, tilting a little on the top branch. Perhaps she ought to say a prayer. If she thought it would help, she would do so.

But then, did prayer really help? Had God sent an angel to earth to look after her and her baby while Patrick was gone? Well, if he had, their angel had better get busy. He wasn’t doing so well right about now.

--from Christmas Angels, an anthology novella (From the Lake to the River)

Abigail is young, lonely, afraid and a new mother and wife, with little money, and not much of hope of getting any kind of help. What could be worse?

How many times have we gone through situations, problems, trials, or even persecution in one form or another, and found ourselves doubting God or his ability to carry us through, even if the thought was for just the briefest of time?

Did God hear me?

Does he even listen?

Does he even care?

Where is God when I need him?
What did I do that he won't answer my prayer?

Or much worse...

Is there even a God?

Thorndike Dictionary describes doubt as:

• not believing or trusting
• not to be sure of or feel uncertain about
• difficulty in believing
• an uncertain state of mind
• an uncertain condition of affairs

Can we believe God when finances are low and there's no job in view?

How is our faith when a loved one is suffering physically or dying?

How do we pray when a child is wayward and rebellious?

Be assured that God knows our heart, our mind, our self. He understands our weaknesses, the temptations we have, the doubts that arise. 

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, 

and lean not toward your own understanding.

He shall direct your path.

Proverbs 3: 5 and 6b

How to increase our faith?

1. Acknowledge our weakness
2. Snuggle deeper into his arms of strength and into his love and understanding
3. Dig deeper into his Word. 
4. Refuse to listen to the enemy of our soul
5. Rest in the knowledge that God is God. He loves us!

In II Corinthians 12: 9-10, Paul admonishes by talking about his own experience:

And he said unto me:

My grace is sufficient for you,

for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches,

in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake, for when I am weak, then am I strong.

In the short scene from Christmas Angels, above, Abigail, in her time of questioning and doubt, wonders if God is there. Would her prayer reach God's ears and would he care enough to help?



Yes, God hears! 
Yes, God Cares! 
Yes, he will answer! 


Rest assured, Troubled Soul, of that!!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 

who comforts us in all our troubles, 

so that we can comfort those in any trouble 

with the comfort, we ourselves receive from God.

--II Corinthians 1:3 & 4

***

Thrilled to announce my newest contribution 

to the writing world: 

Christmas Angels 

A Novella, (set during WWII) 

is included in the Ohio anthology: 

From the Lake to the River.

Consisting of nine stories from nine Ohio authors, there is something for everyone! 



Set in Ohio, in the past and present, these nine short stories and novellas by Ohio authors cover a wide range of genres, topics, and locations. 

From Troy in the west to the North Coast 

and south-central Ohio. 

From Lake Erie to the Ohio River. 

From romance to YA adventure, 

with touches of mystery and humor. 

Dealing with historical events and situations, 

such as floods and the lasting effects of the Civil War. 

With characters involved in 

square dancing, theater, and music. 

Dealing with loss and danger, 

a second chance at love 

and taking a chance on love for the first time. 

Chances are good, no matter what you have a taste for reading, 

you'll find something to like. Welcome to a taste of the Buckeye State!

Here's the blurb for Christmas Angels:

Her mother called her a failure, and maybe she was. Her husband was gone—in the service, yes, but
if he loved her—really loved her, why didn't he write? Or call? Or send the money she needed?

She was scared too, afraid of being alone, and though she loved this sweet little bundle of joy—her baby—well, was she smart enough and strong enough to raise her?

She didn't mind doing without all the nice things she'd love to have, but not being able to provide luxuries like Christmas trees, ornaments and presents for her baby girl was beyond enduring.

What she needed was a miracle...and that wasn't going to happen.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Lake-River-Buckeye-Chr…/…/ref=sr_1_1…

Barnes & Noble/Nook:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/from-the-lake-…/1129185393…

Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/…/from-the-lake-to-the-river-buckeye-c…

About Carole:

Besides being an active participant in many writing groups, Carole is an award-winning author and enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense, tough topics, romance, and whimsy into her books and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 

Personal blog: http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaroleBrown.author

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1427898838&sr=8-1

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/browncarole212

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sunnywrtr/boards/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5237997-carole-brown

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/carole-brown-79b6951a?trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile

Google+:    https://plus.google.com/u/0/113068871986311965415/posts

Word Sharpeners: https://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/

Stitches in Time:  http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/