Silver and Gold

A few months ago a reader wrote to tell me how devastated she’d been by the breakup of her marriage. One day her husband simply told her he no longer loved her and wasn’t interested in working things out. The marriage was ended.

At times her pain was physical. She felt as though she were having a heart attack. But through the pain and chaos, she refused to doubt God, telling him she knew he was faithful and good. During the months that followed, this heartbroken woman kept seeking him, yielding her life again and again.
Now a year later, after living through what she describes as the darkest time of her life, she speaks about healing and a new freedom to love God that she never imagined possible. Her hope is palpable as she tells of her confidence that the best is yet to come.

Her story illustrates how God works in the lives of those who trust him. 

Though times of darkness can produce tremendous pain, they can also produce lasting treasure. Like the Israelites returning home after their long exile laden with silver and gold, we come through our own times of difficulty bearing treasures.

The funny thing is, these riches are plundered from the enemy. Often the very things we thought would destroy us end up blessing us and giving us what we need to live with greater joy and freedom.
One of the hardest parts of suffering is feeling that it might never end. When you feel that way, remember this woman’s story and the wonderful verse from Isaiah that speaks of God bringing his people home, not beaten and crushed as one might expect, but laden with silver and gold.

About

An Award Winning Writer

Ann Spangler’s sensitivity to the ever-changing spiritual and cultural climate in which we live has enabled her to address themes of profound interest to many readers. Praised for the freshness, depth, and honesty of her writing, Ann writes in ways that reveal not just her intellectual curiosity but her desire for a deeper connection with God. An award-winning writer, Ann published her first book in 1994. It became an instant best-seller. Since then she has followed up with several best-selling books, including Women of the Bible (co-authored with Jean Syswerda), Praying the Names of God, Praying the Names of Jesus and The One-Year Devotions for Women. Together, her books have sold millions of copies.

God Is Bigger Than You Think
By paying attention to the spiritual and emotional hungers that animate us and by finding creative ways to explore God’s self-revelation in Scripture, her writing surprises by revealing a God who is often far bigger and better than we might imagine.

Publishing Background
In addition to writing, Ann has enjoyed a lengthy career in Christian publishing, working for William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Servant Publications, and Zondervan Publishing in marketing, editorial, and management roles. Her broad experience in publishing has convinced her that readers are looking for well-written books that explore the connection between spiritual experience and everyday life, books that engage the mind and strengthen the heart.



http://www.annspangler.com/silver-and-gold/