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?
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This is so, so true, Dani. And thank you for the reminder. The one good thing, as I’ve gotten older, is that I can now look back on the times life threw me for a loop and I can see HOW God worked everything out for His glory and my good (even when it was painful in the thick of things) and that helps me to trust Him for the next time and the next… He’s got this and I CAN trust Him.
That’s a beautiful reminder, Debb. Thanks so much for sharing:)
I love suspence. From my pre-teen years with Nancy Drew and Ellory Quinn. I love the unexpected plot twists, the things you don’t see coming. And the way the truth comes out in the end.
Hi Teresa,
I loved Nancy Drew too. Such great reads!
“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.”
How wonderful that God loves and cares about me so much that in His mercy He doesn’t overwhelm me by allowing me to see the ‘speed bumps’ ahead. Thanks for this thought provoking post.
Hi Amy,
So thrilled you enjoyed the post. Thanks so much for sharing and for stopping by.
I prefer light suspense and cozies over thrillers.I enjoy puzzling them out and the journey and chase toward the end.
Hi Denise,
I’m a thriller girl but mysteries are my first love. Grew up on Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie. Puzzling them out is fun!
I totally agree. I love suspense mixed with romance. I, too, don’t like suspense in my real life. It is very hard on my body and mind. Thanks for the great reminder that God has us. Happy Writing!
Hi Gena,
I 100% agree. It can be so hard on our bodies and our minds. So glad you joined me today.
I do enjoy reading suspense. I like walking through the struggles with the characters and seeing them to the other side. Also, to see how they turn to God in the process. Thank you.
Yes, I love suspense, mysteries and thrillers. But like you, I don’t like it in real life. I have learned over my 75 years to turn my worries over to the Lord, even if it means several times a day. 🙂 Love your books…keep writing.
I’ve not always been a fan of mysteries or suspense but in the last few months, I can’t seem to get enough of them! I love trying to figure out the answer before it is revealed. Just the anticipation!!
I love suspense stories. I like to try to figure out the “who done it.” Writers who keep you on your toes. Like with Agatha Christie. Another writer that I have enjoyed reading is Todd M. Johnson. Thanks for sharing. And yes day by day.
I’ve been reading romantic suspense for years, but like you, I was never a fan of experiencing it in real life! Lately, I’ve been coming to realize that when God “keeps me in suspense”, it allows me to live both awe and gratitude as I wait on Him, rather than being disappointed when my own plans fail. As I approach my high school graduation with no definite plan for my future (beyond continuing to write!), life is more uncertain than ever, so it’s been a long lesson of learning to trust Him day by day…but I can’t wait to see where He takes me in the next part of my story😊