Really God? Are You Kidding Me?: Trusting God When Life Isn't Funny

By Arleen McClean

When Your Walk with God is More Like an Off-road Adventure

Filled with humorous stories and real-life experiences, Really God? Are You Kidding Me? helps you apply your faith to everyday events. Infused with humor and grace, you'll laugh, cry, and discover that having a conversation with God is easier than you think.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Funny Faith Walk
• Release date: Sep 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798986153018

Book preview

LIFE HAS ITS MOMENTS

HEY! I’M WALKING HERE!

Not many of us remember learning to walk. Yet with chubby legs bouncing up and down, a guiding hand, and a little encouragement, we miraculously figure it out. The result — a burst of contagious joy and celebration!

Likewise, the Bible tells us there’s a celebration in heaven when we start walking with God.

God made each of us unique. That means our relationship with God is unique. Think about it. There’s one you and one God. Walking with God can be the greatest adventure of your life when you make the decision to interact daily with the only one who truly gets you.

As you walk with God, try not to make yourself crazy looking around at everyone else. We’re all in different places. So next time you mess up or doubt God, or when you feel disappointed in someone who is walking with God, but not exactly how you think they should, be gracious. Give yourself some grace and give grace to others. We’re not perfect, but as long as we’re moving, we can say, Hey! I’m walking here!

God is all-powerful. He knows how to get us from where we are to where we need to be. Try to remember that the next time you get off-balance and take a nasty header into the coffee table of life.

Take a Moment and Journal:

Think about your best friend. What makes your relationship work?

God’s Word Says:

Write out any of the following verses that speak to you.

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15:7 (ESV)

Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?

Amos 3:3 (NIV)

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.

John 8:12 (NLT)

So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:6-7 (NLT)

And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8b (NIV)

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

Conversation Starters:

Are you excited about your walk with God? What would it be like if you envisioned Jesus walking and talking with you throughout your day?

Prayer:

Wow God! You want a relationship with quirky old me because that’s how you made me. Incredible! Help me to remember you and I are in this together and I don’t have to have it all figured out. Help me to bring things to you throughout the day and listen for your voice. Please speak clearly to me through your word, the Bible, and through other godly people.

Key Point:

Walking with God can be an exciting adventure with the love of your life.

THIS WEAKNESS THING IS NEW TO ME

I don’t know about you, but I used to read that Bible verse about how God is strong when we are weak and blow right past it. That weakness thing didn’t apply to me. Then one day my Miss-Git-er-Done self was replaced with Miss-Maybe-We-Should-Nap-On-This. Thanks, cancer.

Overnight my walk became tentative. I felt off-balance, weak, and vulnerable. Maybe losing 8½ pounds off my chest had given me a new center of gravity to adjust to? Or maybe every fiber of my body was telling me, You slept through the surgery, but we didn’t! That was traumatic! Or maybe my mind was the culprit. Wearing me down as I struggled with the question of Why did this happen to me? and Am I going to die?

Reaching the limits of our strength can be a gift from God. Sure, it’s a rude awakening when our body can’t keep up with what our mind wants to do. But it also gives us the chance to surrender our self-sufficiency.

It’s humbling, but also a sweet reminder that we can trust God and lean into his grace to care for us.

Take a Moment and Journal:

What makes you feel tired, weak, or vulnerable? How do you deal with that? How would it look differently if God were your strength when you are weak?

God’s Word Says:

Write out any of the following verses that speak to you.

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

Psalm 46:1 (NLT)

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually.

1 Chronicles 16:11 (ESV)

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NIV)

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)

Conversation Starters:

Do you believe you can trust God to provide and take care of you when you can’t do it for yourself? Why or why not? How hard is it for you to accept help? Is it easier to help others?

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for helping me realize that weakness isn’t something to be ashamed of. Help me to embrace where I am today and trust you. Please help me grow stronger. During this time teach me what you want me to learn. Help me to turn to you when I feel frustrated and to listen to my body when I need to rest.

Key Point:

God uses our weakness to show how we can trust him to protect and care for us.

IS IT LOVE OR LONELINESS?

I’m in