Ralene Burke on "Waiting Through the Worry"

Author Ralene Burke

Waiting Through the Worry

By Ralene Burke

Sometimes trusting that God will do what He says is the hardest part of being a believer. Especially when your life is turned upside down, and you have no idea where its taking you or how you’ll get there. But God says He knows the plans He has for us, and to trust Him, and He will provide for our needs.

But, when your family of five is living out of your mother-in-law’s house, and your husband is recovering from some major medical issues after being discharged from the military, and the income that was supposed to start right after the military pay stops doesn’t show up . . . It’s hard to trust.

God really pushed me out of my comfort zone after my husband was discharged from the army for medical reasons. I can’t count the number of nights I was on my knees before the Lord.

I cried. A lot. I threw fits. My Type-A personality could not take the “not knowing.” Not knowing when the next paycheck would come. Not knowing when we wouldn’t have to live out of suitcases anymore. Not knowing if I would have to give up homeschooling so I could be the one to go to work.

God took this time to show me I couldn’t control everything all the time, but I couldn’t hide under a rock until everything was perfect either. I struggled with the two extremes—still do sometimes. With the rug ripped out from under me, I had no choice but to lean on God, to trust Him because I sure wasn’t going to be able to do this on my own—at least not without going completely crazy.

Yet, there was that voice in the back of my head. Everything was going to be just fine.

Great. Could I get a few more details?

In Luke 12, Jesus tells his disciples not to worry about their food or clothes. He shows how God takes care of the birds and the wild flowers—but how much more important are we to God! He will take care of our needs. When we lean on Him in our times of worry, He will not forsake us. It may not happen the way we expect, but He is still taking care of us.

After a few months, we did start receiving the VA pay. Three months later, we had enough saved up to lease a home with an option to buy—which we did eighteen months later. It took my husband about a year to get to where he could go back to work, and he still has several medical issues. But they’re manageable, and we’re managing.

Life doesn’t look how I expected. But in some ways it’s so much more than I could have hoped. God brought us through that time of worry. He heard my prayers, and He answered them. Now, when things don’t go the way I expect, I know from experience that the first thing I need to do is pray . . . and trust.

Author Bio:

Whether she’s wielding a fantasy writer’s pen or a freelance editor’s sword, Ralene Burke always has her head in some dreamer’s world. And her goal is to make it SHINE! She has worked for a variety of groups/companies, including Realm Makers, The Christian PEN, Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, and as an editor for a number of freelance clients. Her first novel, Bellanok, is being published as a 4-part serial!

When her head’s not in the publishing world, she is wife to a veteran and homeschooling mama to their three kids. Her Pinterest board would have you believe she is a master chef, excellent seamstress, and all around crafty diva. If she only had the time . . .

You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, or at her website.

 BELLANOK:

Bellanok is a haven for myths and legends . . . until evil discovers a way in. Now the fairy queen, Fauna, must journey from the island realm to the modern world to find the man the Creator appointed to save their kingdom. A man she has been dreaming of her whole life.

Brian is a down-on-his-luck pastor on the verge of giving up on God. He’s tired and frustrated–a failure. No sooner does he make a decision that jeopardizes his career than an unusual blonde woman shows up and tries to convince him he is some kind of savior.

Fauna must open Brian’s eyes to a different reality, and Brian needs to embrace the haven’s secrets. If neither of them succeeds, Bellanok will succumb to evil and the world will lose all trace of innocence.

You can find it on Amazon!

Giveaway: Ralene's new story. Answer this question to enter -- What helps you when worry?