Overcoming the trials of life...where are the rules to follow? Some days I wish you could just open a book, follow the directions, and all the trials would just disappear. What a concept.
I read "Just Enough Light for the Step I'm ON" for the first time a few years ago when I found myself going through a wilderness experience in my own life. In fact,
here's my story.
I found the material in this book extremely helpful when I was trying to make sense of it all. It was very reassuring to know first, that I wasn't the first person to go through the trials of life, and second, that the wilderness was exactly where I needed to be so I would sit still long enough for God to teach me some things.
Stormie O'Martian is one of my favorite authors because of her unique ability to translate seemingly complicated material into amazingly relevant "right on point" experiences. Whenever you face the trials of life you automatically assume that it's a bad thing. Stormie points out that sometimes your greatest blessings come in ways you don't expect, and a lot of times in ways you can't understand at all...at least at that moment.
This book presents so many excellent and practical ways to learn how to let God lead you through the trials of life. Stormie gives example after example about how to begin, how to continue, and how to get really great at it. And then, the best part; how blessed you become from all that obedience.
I think my favorite part of this book is what Stormie calls her "Prayer Light" at the end of each chapter. I think the one from her first chapter pretty much says it all:
"Father God, I don't want to take one step without You. I reach up for your hand and ask that You lead me in Your way. Thank You that no matter where I am right now, even if I have gotten way off course, in this moment as I put my hand in Yours, You will make a path from where I am to where I need to be.
And You will lead me on it. I love that Your grace abounds to me in that way. Keep me on the path You have for me and take where You want me to go. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You" (Psalm 143:8)
I know that when I try to run the race without You, I get off course. So I commit this day to walk Your way. Thank You that even if I become weak and stumble, You will help me to rise again and continue on. And though I can't see exactly where I am going, I'm certain that You can and will enable me to get to where I need to be. Thank You, Lord, that You are teaching me how to walk in total dependence upon You, for I know therein lies my greatest blessing.
