Welcome to this new series, Books for Introverts! At least once a month (maybe more!), I’ll share with you a book that will encourage authentic connection with God, yourself, and/or others. These book choices will encourage you in at least one of the following areas: resting in God’s love for you, learning more about your inner world, moving with quiet confidence as you live to please God, or showing up for those around you in healthy ways.
I’m so excited to start this new series for you! If you know me in real life, you know that I am always reading, and always willing to share a quote from the latest book I’ve read. I already have a list of books that I can’t wait to share with you!
This first book is for anyone who feels like they have to struggle through their life alone. If you’re going through hard times and you feel like no one cares, like God doesn’t care, then this book will be a comfort.
You are Never Alone, Trust in the Miracle of God’s Presence and Power by Max Lucado goes through some of the miracles in the book of John. Each chapter in the book shows the compassion and love of Jesus as he works a miracle.
Lucado makes the point early on, that if all God cared about was demonstrating His power He could have done any number of things: “He could have materialized a flock of birds out of thin air and caused trees to uproot and float away. He could have turned creeks into waterfalls or rocks into bumblebees.”
But because God cares, Jesus touched people, physically, individually, one on one. Jesus could have healed all his followers with one snap of his fingers, but instead he chose to reach each person right in the middle of their mess with attention and focus. He cares about you, and what matters to you matters to him.
“You and I aren’t invisible. We aren’t overlooked. We aren’t dismissed. We may feel like a nameless beggar in the swarms of society, but this story [of the man blind since birth]—and dozens of others like it—assure us that Jesus spots us on the side of the road. He takes the initiative. He makes the first move.”
One of my favorite passages is the chapter where Lucado discusses Peter. Peter denies even knowing Jesus multiple times just before Jesus’ death. After Jesus’ body leaves the tomb, an angel tells some women to go and “tell His disciples and Peter” that the body is not there.
I’ve never thought much about Peter’s name there in Mark 16:6-7. But here is Lucado’s takes on that:
“Peter had cursed the very name of Jesus. And yet the angel, no doubt on the instruction of Christ, told the women, ‘Make sure Peter gets the message. Don’t let him miss out. Don’t let him exclude himself. Don’t let him think for a moment he is disqualified.’ It’s as if all of heaven had watched Peter fall. Now all of heaven wanted to help him back on his feet.”
How often have we let our problems and our mistakes separate us from those that love us? We turn inward with shame instead of turning outward and upward. God welcomes our vulnerability, our weakness, our humility. Pride is often the stumbling block that keeps us from healing and growing.
I recommend this book for introverts because we are less likely to reach out for help. We keep it all in our heads and hearts, trying to solve problems on our own. But we don’t have to do it alone—God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1 NLT).
If you feel alone, if you’re struggling through life right now because of health, debt, separation, bad choices, whatever the storm, know that God is with you. You are Never Alone by Max Lucado will provide you with Biblical inspiration to lean on God while the wind dies down.
You can find out more about this book on the author’s website.
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