Trusting Him When Life's Messy, by Charlotte Holt, is a compilation of testimonies from 15 people, including Charlotte, herself - relating how God guided them through trials, hardships, and messy situations. His hand is seen in the simple everyday frustrations of life as well as the more serious issues: conquering fears, financial problems, drug addiction, dementia, sexual abuse, infidelity, physical abuse, insecurity, guilt, unworthiness, rebellious children, disease, etc.. Each story is followed by comments from Charlotte and a prayer.
I was touched by Noela Nancarrow's moving testimony, "Breaking the Chains", relating the fear she and her siblings experienced while growing up in a home with a father who displayed almost daily outbursts of raging temper and physical abuse. One evening, at the age of 13 years, during one of her father's rages - she retreated to her bedroom seeking solitude and calming quietness. Feeling an immediate overwhelming peace when entering the room and not wanting to disturb that peace - she was sitting on her bed in total darkness when she experienced a vision of a man who appeared to be enclosed in light. Although she and her family weren't Christians and her religious experience was limited to Sunday School classes when she was very young, she had no doubt she was seeing Jesus.
She related further experiences of His using more visions, as well as help from friends, to guide her through difficult situations during her teen years and into adulthood, marriage, and the rearing of her children - by using her childhood experiences to help break the chains of her past. A beautifully inspiring story of God's perfect plan fulfilled through His love and using Noela's trials for her good. A significant scripture in her story: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 (KJV)
Trusting Him When Life's Messy is a wonderful encouragement that God will see us through all of life's "messy situations" because He loves us.
Other books in the Trusting Him series:
Trusting Him in the Midst of Medical Madness
Trusting Him With Your Addicted Child
Trusting Him - Life After Divorce
Trusting Him in Your Grief
Giveaway: An ebook copy to one blessed commenter on Bonnie's review! Be sure to leave an email address written (at) and (dot) to protect against spammers.
Such a wonderful review, BONNIE, and Noela's beautiful testimony surely gives me the goosebumps! My life feels pretty messy (or upside down might be a better description) right now, so I need to stick my nose in this book...pronto! I'm so proud of you, author Noela Nancarrow!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diana!! Those times are the perfect time to be encouraged by the testimony of others, for sure. I love Noela's beautiful testimony and could so relate to her "breaking of chains"!!
DeleteThank you Diana! :) I pray this book blesses you.
DeleteGreat review Bonnie...touched on so many things that I need to be guided through as well. Wonderful words of wisdom Noela Nancarrow! Can't wait to read.
ReplyDeleteHi, Carla!! Yes, there are words of encouragement to cover most any situation in this book, I was especially touched by Noela's!!
DeleteThanks for your comments, Carla - please leave a way to contact you should you be our winner!!
I'm looking forward to you reading it also! :)
DeleteSuch a great review. So, many people often want to give up when life gets messy.
ReplyDeleteSo true - however, trusting God to lead and work trials to our good make the trials easier and draw us nearer Him. There's usually a lesson learned through the trial also.
DeleteThanks for your wonderful comments, angelbumpkin - please leave a way for us to contact you, should you be our winner.
angelbumpkin(at)Gmail(dot)com
DeleteThank you, angelbumpkin!!
DeleteThank you for a wonderful review, Bonnie! And Noela's testimony is so inspiring! alexaverde7 (at) gmail (dot) com.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you were inspired by Noela's testimony, Alexa!! I'm blessed to be on the OWG team with Noela, not only is her testimony inspiring - she's a daily inspiration also!! Good luck in the drawing!!
DeleteBless you both!!
DeleteThank you for such a great review & for bringing this book to my attention.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Mary, I think you will be inspired by the testimonies in the book - especially Noela's "Breaking the Chains"!! Thanks for your comments!!
DeleteThank you so much for your wonderful review, Bonnie!! My prayer is that these amazing experiences the Lord gave to help and minister to me when really needed, will also provide encouragement and inspiration to others. I'm so blessed to be part of this incredible book of inspiring testimonies.
ReplyDeleteI pray I did your testimony justice, Noela - one especially wants to do so when reviewing writing by a friend. I purposely didn't mention all the incredible points of the testimony, wanting to leave some surprises for readers. One of our goals as Christians should be to use our experiences through God to inspire and encourage others - I have no doubt yours will, indeed the comments on OWG already indicate that. Please know that you are a daily inspiration and encouragement to me - I'm blessed by your friendship and being a part of the OWG team with you!! Love you!!
DeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts NOELA'S testimony in this compilation of stories, BONNIE. It sounds like an encouraging and faith-filled read!
ReplyDeleteOops..I left out 'about' NOELA'S testimony. Doh!
DeleteHi, Anne!! Yes, all the testimonies relate God's hand in the experiences mentioned, I feel they will be an encouragement to readers - I especially love having Noela's testimony to keep from the paperback I purchased. Thanks for commenting - good luck!!
DeleteWonderful review and will definitely have to read this one! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Becky - so glad you want to read Noela's testimony and 'Trusting Him When Life's Messy'!!
DeletePlease leave your contact info - should you be our winner!!
Wonderful review, Bonnie. I particularly enjoyed the small snippet of Noela's testimony. I look forward to reading and bring inspired by this book.
ReplyDeletebettimace at gmail dot com
I feel you will enjoy the book, Betti - Noela's testimony is very inspiring, glad you enjoyed this portion of it. Thanks for your kind comments and your support!!
DeleteGreat review Bonnie! Noela's testimony is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Tina
Hi, Tina!! I agree - you'll enjoy reading the rest of the testimony also. Thanks for your comments!!
DeleteI think I could certainly benefit from this book. Dementia had entered our lives with my dear mother leaving us little by little. mauback55 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI think I could certainly benefit from this book. Dementia had entered our lives with my dear mother leaving us little by little. mauback55 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteOh, Melanie - I'm so sorry and can so relate to your situation!! Tears in my eyes now as my own mother has Alzheimer's and I see the mother I knew slowly slipping away also. I know the pain of not being able to do anything to prevent it. I'm saying a prayer for you and your family, thanks for your comments - I hope reading 'Trusting Him When Life's Messy' inspires and encourages you!!
DeleteHow proud am I? It's such a joy to see my little chickie Noela break out of her shell and into what I feel is God's plan for her life. The writing talent she has displayed here on OWG had to eventually spill out into another outlet, and I feel like this is just the beginning for her. Awesome devotional, Noela! And a great review of this wonderful book, Bonnie.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you, Marcia - Noela has been gifted with writing talent that goes beyond writing reviews, for sure. I'll always be one of the first in line to read anything she should feel led to write, I know she will seek Him in the writing - in return, He will guide and give her the strength to do it.
DeleteThanks for your sweet comments and taking the time to stop by OWG, Marcia!!
Aww Marcia, you make me smile... From the inside out! I can't thank you enough for your love and support and your constant encouragement. Love you!
DeleteThank you so much too for your lovely words, Bonnie!