I’m doing something a little bit different for #HearItUseIt today. I didn’t technically hear this message in church this week, but I’ve been reading this brand-new book, Wounded Women of the Bible: Finding Hope When Life Hurts, over the last couple of weeks, and I am really excited to introduce it to you today.
Written by co-authors Dena Dyer and Tina Samples, Wounded Women digs into the stories of more than a dozen Biblical women, from Dinah, Ruth and Hagar to Jephthah’s daughter and the widow of Zarephath, fleshing out each story with vivid detail and raw emotion and bringing each of these women to life in a new and refreshing way.
Tina and Dena bravely open up about the challenges they’ve faced in their own lives as well, sharing stories of their own wounds and allowing us very personal insights into how God has healed and redeemed them. This is difficult subject matter, but these two writers gracefully and lovingly navigate these deep waters with compassion, honesty and empathy.
I’ve had the privilege of interviewing Dena and Tina, and I’m delighted to offer you a little glimpse behind the scenes of Wounded Women of the Bible here today as they talk about the process of writing the book and some of the insights they gleaned along the way.
1. You cover quite a few Biblical women in this book — Abigail, Dinah, Ruth, Hagar, Jochebed, Mary, Martha and a whole host of others. Whose story do you most relate to and why?
Tina: There’s a little of me in every story, but I relate to the Two Women in Solomon’s Court the most. A few years ago I went through a difficult transition due to some decisions my husband made. The end result was having many women whom I thought were my friends turn their backs on me. When we experience a blindsided wound, it often feels more severe than a wound we knew was coming. I had a difficult time understanding how they could so easily walk away. One woman was the closest friend I’d ever had while serving in a church. When something like that happens, the wound feels as if you’ve lost a friend physically — that they have died. I had to grieve, but God is never far away and He soothes our wounded souls and lifts us up from our puddle of pain. He helps us heal and walk again.
2. Dena, I was particularly moved by your story in Chapter Three, when you asked, “Where are you, God?” as you stood face-to-face with a young, suffering Burmese refugee. What was that moment like when you heard God answer, “I’m in you”? How was that revelation impacted your faith journey?
Dena: That moment was simply life-changing. Working with refugees — some of the most vulnerable, forgotten and mistreated people on the planet — can feel like trying to put out a fire with a spray bottle. I often felt hopeless and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of need, especially when I learned about the many people suffering from not only war and genocide, but also human trafficking and other unspeakable violations. God saying, “I’m in you,” was profound. He reminded me that He hadn’t left the building (or our world); He dwelt in every single believer. It’s up to us — to ME — to show (and not just talk about) His grace, mercy and love to suffering people. As for my faith journey, that moment was a turning point. I was forever ruined for the ordinary. And I couldn’t use excuses like “I’m only one person” anymore. Yes, I’m one person — but God, the Creator of the universe, dwells inside me, with all His grave-busting, paradigm-altering power.
3. In Chapter Four, Ruth’s story, you observe, “What looks detrimental to us, God in His mercy can make beneficial.” While that is a powerful revelation, sometimes we are apt to forget that fact when we are in the midst of pain and suffering. Can you talk about a time in your life when that held true — when God turned detriment into something positive? How did you recognize that truth in the midst of your suffering? (or did time pass before you were able to see the positive outcome?)
Tina: Tom Pals, a pastor, friend and counselor, taught me that though we have the head knowledge that God is over all things and can take care of our struggles and wounds, we often don’t apply that knowledge to our own lives, especially in the midst of our suffering. If we can put it in our hearts and believe it, then when faced with difficult situations our lives can become more settled.
I found that revelation during a transition of leaving a church we pastored for ten years and starting a church plant. In my mind, it looked detrimental. We often say, “This is bad, this is really bad.” The moment we allow our minds to go there is the moment we invite fear, anxiety, depression and more into our situation. I had to constantly say, “This is not a mess. This is not a mess.” We often cannot see God in motion during a crisis, but He’s working in all things. Sometimes God reveals it later on. We all have situations where we can look back and say, “If that hadn’t happened then God wouldn’t have been able to do this.”
Our true strength comes from allowing God to settle us in the midst of the storms, believing wholeheartedly that God can do anything He wants. He can take a situation that looks incredibly horrible and do amazing work throughout it. We may not be able to see God working, but by faith, we believe He is. And when God reveals His purposes, we won’t be too surprised because we knew all along: it wasn’t a mess.
4. I imagine that writing this book was, in some ways, very difficult and painful as old wounds resurfaced and you walked with other women through their painful stories. What did you learn about yourself and your relationship with God as you revisited these past experiences and walked with other women through theirs?
Dena: It was very painful. One afternoon, I literally laid on the floor in a fetal position, sobbing, and told God I didn’t know if I could finish writing the book. I commented to one friend that the process of bringing this work to its audience was my “elephant birth” — a long gestation period with a painful delivery! However, by revisiting my past and reading other women’s stories, my own faith was encouraged and strengthened. I saw with fresh eyes how God can transform our wounded places into ministry spaces. Like many other things in my life, I wouldn’t trade the intense (sometimes excruciating) experience for anything, because God has already used the book to minister to me. And the look in women’s eyes as they tell me about something in the book that spoke to them is incredibly gratifying and humbling.
5. If you had to leave your readers with one take-away from this book, what would that be? What is your prayer for your readers?
Tina: God is never far away. Run toward the light — not the darkness — because even the darkness to Him is as bright as the day.
Dena: Fall upon God’s mercy, even when you can’t see or feel Him, and don’t be afraid to do the difficult things He requires, because He will give you the strength to face anything He calls you to do. I pray that at the end of the book, readers will begin to understand that joy is on other side of pain, and that God has a loving, perfect plan for them.
::
On a personal note , I (this is Michelle again) met Dena last year at the Laity Lodge writer’s retreat, and she is as authentic and beautiful (and funny!) in person as she is on the page — and she is one heck of a Prayer Warrior! In honor of our friendship, I am thrilled and honored to offer a copy of Wounded Women of the Bible to one reader here. Leave a comment on this post, and I’ll randomly choose one name and announce the winner of the book here on Friday.
But seriously people, if you don’t win the copy here, please do buy a copy of Wounded Women of the Bible for yourself. You will not regret it, that I guarantee!
: :
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Dena and Tina: Congratulations! This looks like a insightful, encouraging read. I love a good God story.
Michelle: Pick me, Pick me! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I’ll do my best! 🙂
Thank you so much!
Well, Michelle, you know my ‘wounded ness’, as I have been honest in my scribbling s to you. So, if I should win your free copy, I will use it in my associations with other wounded women, especially those who are widows. You are kind, generous, and honest! I would trust any book you recommend.
This is a good one, Bonnie – you would love it, and it would make a beautiful gift for a widow, as well.
This looks like such a good book!! Thanks for sharing about it. Thanks too for hosting today. Have a blessed week.
Hi Michelle! I love the human-ness of your friends and authors. “This is not a mess, this is not a mess.” That’s a mantra I think I’m going to be using myself! And I can get behind any writers who speak about the women of the Bible, they have much to teach too.
Thanks for the opportunity to meet these awesome people!
Ceil
Book sounds really good. Would love to read it.
Certainly worth considering that we are all so much alike especially since Jesus is IN us. No longer a victim but a victor.
This sounds like such a wonderful book. I especially liked Tina’s take-away – “even the darkness to Him is as bright as the day.” Amen! Thank you for sharing about this book & hosting.
Have a great Monday!
Joanne
This book sounds amazing! I have been a little (though I shouldn’t have been) surprised at the amount of personal experiences and good writing I have found on blogs – mostly from these linky things. I am new to blogging. I have been a little (though I shouldn’t have been) surprised at how encouraging and helpful bloggers are to each other – not only encouraging their writing, but encouraging their actions and thoughts – Isn’t it interesting that in searching for joy in an ordinary world, I have not only found the joy in my life, but joy in so many others. Yes, it sometimes comes at the end of a long journey – but it comes. And it’s worth it. And it’s amazing. And sometimes (though it shouldn’t be), surprising. Thank you for your recommendation.
I was surprised by all that when I first started blogging, too, Janet – you are not alone in that! The online world can be a true community – nothing surprised me more than that.
Thanks for the opportunity to link up and for the review of the book, Michelle. If I win, please email me at rkjbfarms@gmail.com (not the email that Blogger gives you. Thinking positive!)
Ok, got it, Kim – I like your positive outlook!
What a great interview. This sounds like a timely read, since I am slowly coming out of a season of brokenness myself.
Praying for you, Anna – may God continue to heal you and guide you into a new and hopeful season.
I have several women in my life who are wounded right now. I would love to share this book with them. Thanks for introducing this book to us.
“I’m in you”
Beautiful. Thank you for these words.
Wow! This post was so encouraging to me on so many levels, I don’t even know where to start. I’m actually speechless! I would LOVE a copy of this book as I navigate through this season of healing and restoration in my life. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that healing can be a painful and difficult process. I’m learning it’s one of those things in life that I want the end result (the good stuff!) without living through the actual process/ journey of healing! The Lord is bringing up some deep wounds from my past that make me want to turn and run and hide, and each day, lovingly, He calls his daughter out (and sometimes has to drag me kicking and screaming in protest!) and assures me of His promises . This book would be so refreshing and encouraging to my soul 🙂
Erika, I understand, friend – healing IS painful, and yes, so often, I just want to scurry through the painful part and get it over with as quickly as possible. Praying for you, friend.
Sounds like a great book, one that I would love to read. Thanks for sharing these author insights with us, Michelle.
I especially loved this part:
” God saying, ‘I’m in you,’ was profound.”
Gives me chills.
That was my absolute favorite part of the whole book!
Michelle, you honor me with your sweet words. I think you are beautiful, authentic, and a prayer warrior, too. It has been such a joy to get to know you better over the last year, and I’m excited for all that God is doing with your gifts. Thank you for sharing a bit about our book, and especially for recommending it so highly. 🙂 I am blessed and grateful.
The feeling is mutual, dear Dena. I LOVED getting to know you a little bit last year, and look forward to reconnecting with you at Laity again this fall (I’m sure hoping you are planning on going!).
Yes, I’m going. Wild horses couldn’t keep me away (as we say in Texas, y’all). 🙂
GREAT IDEA, Michelle. And thanks to Tina and Dena for their thoughtful and articulate responses to your good questions.
Thanks, Diana. 🙂 They were GOOD questions!
Michelle – thank you for sharing, not only the book, but our hearts. May God bless you so much for opening your door to minister through this book. Ceil, life is not a mess. God sustains us and holds us with His righteous right hand (though I have to remind myself, “This is not a mess!). He is always working. Erika – I understand completely! Healing comes when we step out into the light. Once we’ve done that, Satan has lost his grip. The power of the struggle (or sin) is in the secret. Hope awaits my friend – God is never far away.
Amen, Tina. Thank you for blessing so many with your gifts and your stories.
Am looking so forward to reading this book! Thank you for sharing!
Pamela, may it bless you!
Michelle, don’t include me in the giveaway because I have a book on the way. But I’m here to add my Amen. It’s an amazing book, and if I didn’t know Dena personally, if I hadn’t walked miles with her around our neighborhood and shared a room with her at a retreat and gone to her house and cried into the phone with her, I probably would never have picked up this book. And I would be so, so lacking. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read. She and Tina are to be hugged for following God through what I know was very painful for both of them as they wrote/rewrote “Wounded Women of the Bible.”
And just so y’all know (I’m using y’all ’cause Dena is a Texan, you know!), Megan’s story is one featured in the book as well, and you will be mightily blessed by it.
Of course I forgot to mention that Megan is a Texan, too – so now I can say y’all y’all!
I’ll take that hug, Megan…and your trust in me was–and is–so honoring. Thanks for giving the book such high praise. I am so, so thankful God gave me you as a friend, and that you shared your beautiful, raw story in the book.
I am longing to read their book. Hoping my name providentially is drawn. My finances are such that buying a copy of their book must wait. I am surrounded by wounded women who i know will be encouraged by it too.
Well Janice the Holy Spirit is prompting me to send you a book even if I don’t draw your name! Who am I to argue with the Holy Spirit?! – Send me your mailing address please (email it to michellederusha1@gmail.com).
Yay! I want to win! And this was fabulous, Michelle. I really liked what Dena said about her work with refugees being life-changing, and what Tina said about running toward the light and away from the darkness.
Thank you for sharing this book with us, Michelle. I think I am going to recommend this to my small group.
Hi Michelle,
Great post and review.
Your interview with authors, Dena Dyer and Tina Samples left me wanting more. More of “Wounded Women of the Bible.” Free or not.
On an aside, I will hop over and check out your ministry #HearItUseIt.
Thank you for this great resource and encouragement.
Blessings~Debra
This book looks great, Michelle! Drop my name in the hat, okay — and I’m putting it on my Christmas list!
“run towards the light” Desperately, even when it’s hard. So much of this resonated with me, I’d love to learn more by winning and reading the book.
This sounds like a wonderful book and how I could use it now! I love how you made this like a trailer to the book! Very interesting excerpts! ” God can transform our wounded places into ministry spaces.” and “Our true strength comes from allowing God to settle us in the midst of the storms, believing wholeheartedly that God can do anything He wants.” Thank you for sharing this! Blessings!
All of us are wounded in one way or another, although sometimes we don’t even recognize it. We need to learn to trust the Great Physician to heal those wounds; this book will definitely help.
Would like to read this. Thanks for the giveaway!
I eager to read this. Thank you for sharing the interview. And for hosting this space each week.
What an interesting book, thanks so much for sharing it.
I read or should I say devour your emails all the time.
M. Waters
Sounds like an awesome book! Thanks for the great post & for hosting & God bless!
I need to read this book…so if I don’t get an e-mail from you on Friday or Saturday, then I will buy it! It sounds like something I NEED right now.
Reading the interview and then reading the comments, there is a place for this book because there is a need for this book.
God bless you, Dena Dyer and Tina Samples, for being vulnerable so others can heal.
And Michelle, thank you for having a heart that is attentive to those who have been wounded.
Thank you, Dave. We’ve been so gratified by the early positive response to it.
Thank you Dave.
I’m thankful to know that I’m not alone doing that fetal position bit on the floor.
Thanks for this interview, all three of you. May God guide you as you shine His light.
Blessings.
Thank you, Darlene. And you’re SO not alone!
Well Michelle, it appears you have many comments here. Must be lots of women who would like to win the free copy of this book…including me! I’m sure it is a great read, especially with your endorsement. Hope you pull my name from the hat. 🙂
This completely captivated me. Thank you, Michelle, for introducing it to me. I’m looking forward to getting my hands on it!
This really looks like a book I would love! Your suggestions have always been “spot on” with me.
The answer to question number two has me wanting to read this book. And if my name isn’t drawn, I will certainly see about getting it to read some other way.
Thanks
This book sounds like great resource material for my Women of Worth class. Can’t wait to read it.
Sheri, thanks for thinking of that. I know our publisher has a generous discount for groups. And let me or Tina know if we can help you in any way if you do go through the book as a group. We’d love to Skype with you, or be available to answer questions. 🙂
The book sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing!
This looks like a great book and I would love to win, but if not I will be purchasing a copy. Thanks Michelle for the link up party as well as the giveaway.
I too would love to read this book. Thanks for introducing it to us.
Hugs,
Kelly
This book sounds like a great read! Thanks for the giveaway Michelle:)
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Thanks, Michelle