Book reviews can be so impersonal. I don’t mind being impersonal if I simply like a book, but if I love the message of a book, it’s tough for me to do a typical review. Ever read books that give words to the message God has been writing on your heart?
That’s the way I feel about Plan B.
Pete Wilson is my favorite online pastor/teacher. When I heard he was writing a book I was happy for him. But I got really excited when I found out the name of the book.
Plan B~What do you do when God doesn’t show up the way you thought He would?
Excited, but honestly also a tiny bit nervous. What would he say? Would he give 5 easy steps to conquering your crisis? Would he tell me to grow my faith and believe for a miracle, that God didn’t bring us here to let us fail? Would he say that if only we get to the “root”, God will heal our physical illness?That God never gives us more than we can handle?
These are all things I’ve heard before from well-meaning people, from the pulpit and from other books but as I’ve traveled different paths of pain in my life, God has given me a polar opposite view.
No matter how hard I prayed, how many scriptures I memorized, how much “inner healing” I experienced, how much I “stood on scripture” reminding God of His promises… God didn’t show up for me the way I’d been taught He would time and time again.
He was strangely silent when I found myself alone and without a job with three babies under 4 and 1/2, and when my little brother lost his battle with Ewings Sarcoma after nearly ten years of fighting.
I’ve never felt more confused about God than when The Husband and I bought a business with the counsel of every single Godly person we knew, only to lose it (and lots more) within 5 years.
My world went completely out of control when my precious mom, at only 65, went in for a routine test and never left the hospital.
So many times I needed God to come through, He didn’t.At least not the way I wanted Him to. Not the way I believed He would.
For so long I’ve been searching for a different truth about those utterly chaotic times in my life. Over the past two years, I’ve been able to find peace and faith. Not in what God does but in who God is.
And to me, that’s the beautiful message of this book.
Pastor Pete uses his own Plan B stories, stories of people he knows, as well as beloved Biblical characters who walked their own journey’s through pain, to gently shine a light of hope on times when God doesn’t seem to be showing up.
*****
Here are a few of my favorite things from the book…
“We get ourselves into all kinds of trouble when we assume God must think and feel as we do.”
“When people ask me how they can know God’s will for their lives, I tell them the best first step is to know God. Beyond that I really don’t have any steps.”
“Just because God calls you to some venture, that doesn’t guarantee the venture will succeed.”
“…it’s as much about the person we’re becoming as it is about where we’re going.”
“God is more interested in your character than your comfort.”
“Can you believe that God is in control now, when your life isn’t?”
“What if we viewed our hardships and challenges as opportunities to be the men or women God has created us to be? What would happen if we stopped grabbing for what we’re owed and tried to receive each moment with gratitude?”
“Here’s the truth…throughout your life you will face one situation after another that will be completely beyond what you can handle.”(“My grace is sufficient for you…“)
“I’ve discovered that sometimes God wants us to live inside of the questions. Sometimes He wants us to linger in the waiting, hoping , praying. In fact, sometimes it’s right in the middle of our darkness, in the middle of our crisis, in the middle of our Plan B struggles that God speaks most clearly.”
“I believe there is a God who says through the cross: I love you. I’m in control. And I can use your worst experiences for eternal good.”
“The cross is proof that He does not always change the circumstances, but that He works every circumstance to His purpose.”
“Will we ever understand our Plan B dilemmas? On this side of heaven, probably not. Does the way we respond to them matter? More than you will ever know.”
*****
I’ve already sent this book to 2 of my friends who are in painful situations. I highly recommend it if you find yourself in the middle of your own Plan B…
Love to you my friends…
Gotta read it. Thank you for the powerful words from the book. Recommended it yesterday to a person just because of what I have heard you and others say it. I like “the cross is proof He doesn’t always change the circumstances”. May we keep looking to who He is and just walk in it..Have a great vacation!
.-= Tom Raines´s last blog ..Today’s Affirmation: I cry out to You God and You answer me; You make me bold with strength in my soul. =-.
I can’t wait…gotta read it soon ! Have a wonderful relaxing time in Rosemary!
Okay, I have a huge lump in my throat and tears running down my cheeks from reading this. This SO speaks to my heart. I too, am in the midst of a Plan B with so, so, SO many unanswered questions. I do believe my heart skipped a beat when I read: “the cross is proof He doesn’t always change the circumstances”.
Thanks for sharing and Thank you for once again touching my heart. I’m telling you…. You should be a published writer! You have a Gift!
~Velvet
Hi! got your blog name from sandie ,I’m a ga . girl , live in Rome Ga. I plan to follow you. My blog is a mixture of stories, but mostly what treasures we have in life and values . If you get a chance my blog is http:somewondersoflife.blogspot.com/ You will notice my sense of humour, but very much down to earth. I loved your content of the book. As alot of people have had hurts, losses, I have had my share. I,believe that some good can come out of neg. it’s just we don’t know when. Sorry to be too mouthy. Have a good day.
Based on your earlier blogs, I ordered this from Amazon this week. I can’t wait to read it! Enjoy your vacation Robin. Get some rest, soak up some suna and enjoy!
oh gosh, you have no idea… thank you…
actually what am i saying… of course you do….
sooo anxious to read this… love and safe travel to you sweet friend…xxo, kim
.-= kim klassen´s last blog ..out of focus =-.
Pastor Pete’s perspective is so powerful! I cannot wait to get my hands on this book! I think its a book that will become dog-earred and highly underlined… one you turn to again and again.
Praying for safe travels and a wonderfully rejuvenating trip!
Love U!
.-= Vicky´s last blog ..My baby is 8 today… =-.
Robin…Pete’s book is one of the sanest I have ever read. It brought me some relief from both the rage and guilt of my many years of playing with God’s plan, and recognizing that though I am loved…I am not the center. I may not even be on the edge. “I have a destiny” may mean “my destiny is to be nothing.” I still struggle with “knowing God” as a better option that “what God does.” How do I know a Being when I can barely understand or know myself, or those closest to me? These days, I walk a thin line between “God of Grace” and “Divine Being Who Doesn’t Care.” Thanks for the post.
Don…Mike and I pray for you all the time. God isn’t done with you my friend…love you
I’m going to get the book today! Thanks for some of the highlights. I hope you and Mike enjoy your week of vacation and enjoy focusing on each other for a brief time. Things here at home are gonna be fine, you have a great support system in place here.
Enjoy
K
You are so right on! In Mt. 24 it talks about how many will be offended, (at God!), and their love will grow cold to Him. I believe the western church will be especially vulnerable, as we have made God in our image…a Santa Claus Jesus who we think will give us whatever we wish for. God does keep His word and cause all things to work together for good…but reading the next verse…the good He is talking about isn’t our personal comfort, but our becoming like Jesus…who learned obedience through suffering we learn in Hebrews. We want trite, simple, easy answers in this life…
God didn’t answer Job’s many questions about his suffering. He just revealed Himself to Job as the God of all Creation, the Redeeemer, etc. Revelation of Who God Is! Wow!
I pray for you and Emma, and your family, that you will find, in the midst of all you are going through, deeper, wider, greater, revelation of this Great God we serve and His infinite love.
.-= elizabeth´s last blog ..I simply remember my favorite things…Friday favs…I’m lovin’ “Grower’s Outlet”! =-.
Elizabeth!!! Preach it Sista! I love your comment!!!’
xoxo
“What if we viewed our hardships and challenges as opportunities to be the men or women God has created us to be? What would happen if we stopped grabbing for what we’re owed and tried to receive each moment with gratitude?”
This is the one that spoke to me. I (finally at this ripe old age) realize that I am only the person I am today because of all the STUFF I have been through. I wouldn’t be as smart, grateful, happy, giving, trying etc., etc. if I had not gone through all this STUFF (I want to say crap buut I won’t:):) I am buying this book!!!!! Love and hugs, Pinky
I thought it was so kind of Pete Wilson to leave you a personal comment on one of your last posts. He is an awesome man and his book says things I’m learning myself through 66 Love Letters by Dr. Larry Crabb. Suffering is a part of our lives and it does a very special work in us. I think that is why I love your blog so much…you do not sugarcoat life’s difficult hurdles as we dash through this race.
I am still praying for you and I am so glad songs are greeting you as you wake up. Why does music do such a special work of healing in our lives?
Take care and enjoy the time you have with your man and restore on your vacation. Soak up lots of sunshine and let the ocean speak it’s rhythm of ancient design. I’m praying God will provide you with a mother-of-pearl shell. To me, He is nearest to us when we are in the storms of life. Whether we feel Him or not. That IS faith.
A hug and a prayer,
twinkle
.-= twinkle´s last blog ..Random Thoughts =-.
Robin I’m truly humbled by your comments and so many others here. I can’t tell you how thankful I am (and maybe somewhat surprised) by how God is using the book in peoples lives.
robin… what a sweet review!!! thank you for your sweet words about the book. i think it’s a message so many people need to hear.
.-= brandiandboys´s last blog ..O, Yes He Did… =-.
Beautiful! It’s now a must-read on my list!