Kept In Suspense

Hi friends and happy Wednesday! I always look forward to my days spent with
you.

I love reading a good mystery and I love writing romantic suspense because it
combines two things I adore—the twists and turns of a thriller and the happy-
ever-after of a romance. I love reading and writing both, but in real life, I don’t
know about you, but I’m not the biggest fan of suspense. To be brutally honest,
I like to be in control. Well, at least I like to think I’m in control, but the fact is
I’m not. God is, and He knows best.

I know this truth, but I struggle with this a lot. I mean really struggle. Unlike
reading a suspense novel where I can’t wait to be surprised, in life I don’t like
what appears to be unpleasant surprises or bumps in the road.

Life is full of unforeseen speed bumps, as I like to call them. You know the
struggles that jar us, that seem to pop out of nowhere, that jolt us and slow us
down. Those struggles. They hurt, and we’re often left wondering ‘why?’ Why
couldn’t God let us at least see it coming, but then that’s the thing. Would it hurt
less if we saw it coming? I doubt it.

I think just the opposite would happen. I think it would hurt more because we’d
see all the bumps ahead on the narrow path and fear we’d never make it
through. But God knows we will with His grace. He’s got us. He carries us over
those bumps and knows it’s the path we need to take. He keeps us in suspense
to protect our hearts from needless worry and fretting. He says in His Word:

“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about
such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the
world, but your Father already knows your needs.” ~Luke 12:29-30 NLT 

He knows what we need. He sees the path. The bumps in the road, in our lives,
don’t surprise Him. I love the Message’s translation of this same verse:

“What I’m trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with
getting so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and
the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he
works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God’s initiative, and God’s provisions.
You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of
missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.” ~Luke 12:29-30 MSG

God provides for all our needs. Most especially, I believe, for our struggles. He
keeps us in suspense because He loves us and because He knows He has us.
I believe…

If we could see the future, we’d lose the joy of the moment.

It’s why God keeps us in suspense.

So, while I work on my suspense novella and see my character’s struggling, I
know they don’t need to truly worry because it will all be good in the end. The
same is true of our walk with Christ. While we don’t see the full road ahead. He
does. He’s got this and He’s got you. I need to remind myself of this daily.
Multiple times a day. How I wish I was a faster learner, but, instead, I learn day
after day to entrust my life to my Savior–all of it, even the messy, bumpy bits.

How about you? Do you like reading mysteries or suspense? What’s your
favorite part about them?