God Is in the Small Stuff for Tough Times
By Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz
()
About this ebook
Bruce Bickel
Bruce Bickel quickly abandoned pursuing standup comedy because he wasn't funny enough, opting instead to become a lawyer—a profession in which he is considered hilarious. His previous books with Stan Jantz include Knowing the Bible 101 and God Is in the Small Stuff.
Read more from Bruce Bickel
God Said It and Bang! It Happened: The UnBelievable Explanation of Creation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAnswering the Toughest Questions About God and the Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKnowing the Bible 101: A Guide to God's Word in Plain Language Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Answering the Toughest Questions About Suffering and Evil Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAnswering the Toughest Questions About Heaven and Hell Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod Is in the Small Stuff 20th Anniversary Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGrowing as a Christian 101: A Guide to Stronger Faith in Plain Language Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Keeping God In The Small Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5God Is in the Small Stuff: and it all matters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5God Is In The Small Stuff for Your Marriage Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGoodbye High School, Hello World Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to God Is in the Small Stuff for Tough Times
Related ebooks
God Is in the Small Stuff: and it all matters Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5God Is in the Small Stuff 20th Anniversary Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Wholeness Action Plan Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKeeping God In The Small Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Love of God: Experiencing the Depths of His Grace Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEnding the War with Myself: Loving Myself as God Does Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod Is In The Small Stuff for Your Marriage Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGrieving God's Way: The Path to Lasting Hope and Healing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhen Loved Ones Are Called Home Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLose It For Life: Bible Study Guide and Devotional, Volume 2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Prayer Playbook: A 21-Day Workbook to Begin, Transform, and Improve Your Prayer Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhat to Do When The Devil Talks to You: How Christians Learn to be Victorious over Temptation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEnfolded in God's Arms: 40 Reflections to Embrace Your Inner Healing: Silent Moments with God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAm I Not Still God? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOpen Eyes, Happy Heart: A Story of Healing from Sexual Abuse and Childhood Trafficking Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFinding God Again and Again Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJournaling with God Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Deep, Soulful Places: Experiencing God’s love in the Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAddicts at the Cross: A Christian 9 Step Program Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLife Mapping with Jesus Workbook: Finding Your Place in God’S Eternal Plan Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLook What the Lord Has Done!: Remembering Remarkable Experiences Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSpirit Hunger Workbook: Filling Our Deep Longing to Connect with God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLove Addict Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTable Talk Volume 1 - Devotions: Bible Stories You Should Know Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTips from Widows Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Become Spiritual Without Being Religious Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLose It for Life Workbook Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Encounter: Sometimes God Has to Intervene Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Being Christian: Exploring Where You, God, and Life Connect Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Learning to Suffer Well: Embracing the Pain, Finding the Joy, Living By Faith Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind Workbook: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Reflections on the Psalms Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for God Is in the Small Stuff for Tough Times
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
God Is in the Small Stuff for Tough Times - Bruce Bickel
GOD IS IN THE SMALL STUFF
for tough times
Stop Worrying and Invite God into the Details of Your Life
BRUCE & STAN
© 2005 by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz
Print ISBN 978-1-61626-091-0
eBook Edition:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-62836-144-5
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois 60189, U.S.A. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked THE MESSAGE are from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683 www.barbourbooks.com
Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.
CONTENTS
Introduction
1. Why, God, Why?
2. Innocent Suffering
3. When Life Doesn’t Seem Fair
4. Where Is God When We Suffer?
5. You’re Not Exempt
6. Thanking God
7. The Story of Job
8. The Secret of Job
9. When Prayer Doesn’t Seem to Work
10. How to Know God’s Will
11. Trusting God
12. When Children Turn Away
13. When a Marriage Goes Bad
14. When Parents Attack
15. A Mother’s Anguish
16. A Father’s Grief
17. Caring for Aging Parents
18. The Long Good-bye
19. Honoring God
20. In Over Your Head
21. From Busted to Belief
22. What Will Others Think?
23. A Loss of Self
24. Giving to God
25. The Problem of Pain
26. Disillusionment, Despair, and Depression
27. Dealing with a Chronic Illness
28. Confronted with Cancer
29. Does God Still Heal?
30. All Will Be Well
31. Hearing God
32. Good Grief
33. When Children Suffer
34. Going from Hurting to Healing
35. Will Your Pet Be in Heaven?
36. When a Parent Goes Home
37. Grief in Stages
38. Afraid to Death of Dying
39. Believing God
40. The Hope of Heaven
41. God Is in the Small Stuff for Tough Times
About the Authors
INTRODUCTION
A few years ago we wrote a book called God Is in the Small Stuff. That little book has helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world understand that, far from being detached from their everyday activities and circumstances, God delights in the details of their lives (Psalm 37:23). Many readers have written to tell us they appreciate knowing just how much God loves them and cares for them. Knowing about God and what He wants to do helps us get through the small stuff of everyday life.
At the same time, we hear from people who are struggling with some very difficult circumstances: a marriage has gone bad, a job has been lost, a child has rebelled, someone is very sick, or a loved one has died unexpectedly. It’s all very painful, and they want to know if God can help them through their tough times.
Other readers tell us they are having a hard time dealing with the tough times in the world: the natural disasters that take so many lives, the wars and conflicts that never seem to end, the ongoing problems of hunger and disease that afflict so many, and closer to home an economy that has left many people without retirement savings—or even worse, a job. How are we supposed to feel about all of this? What are we supposed to do?
While we don’t have the complete answer for these questions, we think there is a sensible way to approach them. This book contains forty-one short essays that we hope will give you a starting place for sorting out the tough things we all experience from time to time, as well as the tough times and the suffering in our world.
As you read through these chapters and the accompanying proverbs
that offer suggestions on how to make sense of the tough times in your life, keep one very important thing in mind: God loves you more than you could ever imagine. Though you may not realize it when you’re in the middle of something very difficult, God knows what you are going through—and He knows what it’s like to suffer.
Suffering of any kind is tough, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, those who suffer gain a perspective on life and an appreciation for God that others do not have. While he was suffering in prison, the apostle Paul wrote, I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return
(2 Timothy 1:12).
Our prayer for you is that you would entrust the tough times of your life and the tough times of our world to God, and that He in turn would reveal Himself to you in tangible ways as He strengthens you for the days ahead.
Bruce Bickel
Stan Jantz
Y ou promised me, Lord, that if I followed You,
You would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there has only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed You most,
have You not been there for me?"
The Lord replied, "The years when you have seen only
one set of footprints, My child, is when I carried you."
from Footprints in the Sand
Author anonymous
ONE
WHY, GOD, WHY?
W hen things are going well in your life, everything seems good with the world:
The sun shines brighter.
The flowers are more fragrant.
People smile as they pass by you.
There is a vacant parking spot for you directly in front of Starbucks.
Of course, things aren’t really that way, but that’s how they seem to you because you’re feeling good about your situation.
When your circumstances turn south, though, there seems to be an odd confluence with the rest of the cosmos. Everything seems to sour simultaneously:
You get soaking wet after being caught in a freak rain storm.
You get a flat tire and don’t have a jack in the trunk.
Everyone who crosses your path is in a foul mood.
After waiting fifteen minutes in the drive-thru at Starbucks, you are informed that they are out of coffee.
It’s bad enough that [insert your tragedy here] happened to you—but to make things worse, it became a triggering mechanism for further misfortune.
These are trivial illustrations of how your perspective is corrupted when you are forced to endure a tragic circumstance or a particularly hard situation. But more than your attitude is affected by adversity. Your spiritual equilibrium can also be thrown off kilter. Often, the frustration that accompanies your hardship leads to a spiritual misconception: God has abandoned you. While this isn’t true, it is easy to see how you can reach this flawed conclusion. First, you start with sound premises, such as:
God is the almighty Creator and Ruler of the universe.
All things are under His sovereign control.
Nothing happens in the world without His knowledge or permission.
God loves you and wants only what is best for you.
So far, your theology is on track. But here is the point where your logic slips a cog. You mistakenly conclude:
Since tragedy has entered your life, God must have turned His back on you.
If He really loved you, He wouldn’t let this happen to you.
This line of thinking is flawed. First, God never promises anyone a life free from pain. So don’t make the mistake of thinking that God has abandoned you when hardship enters your life. Secondly, the presence of hardship in your life does not imply the absence of God in your life. To the contrary, you can be sure that God is there and wants to reveal Himself to you when you are experiencing difficulties.
Rather than approaching your tough times with the attitude that God has vanished, use these circumstances to find God. He is there. And He isn’t hiding. He wants you to feel His presence. He wants you to sense His love for you. He desires for you to understand His purposes for allowing these difficulties in your life.
God is with you. Yes, He is all-powerful and capable of changing the hard circumstances of your life. But because He loves you and wants what is best for you, He will not eliminate those problems if He knows they serve a beneficial purpose in your life. He never promised to protect you from all hurt, but He has promised to be by your side during every bit of it.
If you mistakenly assume that God is not present, you’ll be spiritually blind to His presence. But if you take God at His word and expect to find Him in the darkest hours, you’ll be surprised that you see Him all around you. Suddenly, the severity of your problems will shrink in comparison to the magnitude of God’s presence in your life.