Hi friends and happy Wednesday! I’m working on the second book in my new Jeopardy Falls series, and I have a character who shies away from risk. He feels safer remaining in his comfort zone. His hesitance to risk isn’t because he lacks courage. He’s very brave, but he was raised by one parent who believed risk was foolish. Everything was to be a calculated decision.
I’m finding it an interesting dynamic to delve into, and that’s making me explore how I view risk. I tend to be very spontaneous. I love exploring new places and trying new things. I’m up for most adventures, except skydiving, but that hasn’t stopped my husband from trying to convince me to. After thirty-two years of marriage, you’d think he’d give up, but he won’t.
But risk comes far more areas than travel and trying new things. What about the risk of extending love to someone and not knowing if they’ll love you back? Or extending friendship? Or sharing the Gospel?
And where does faith collide with risk? As I’m writing this character’s story and seeing him wrestling with and growing in his faith, it has me digging into the Bible to see what God’s Word has to say about risk. The first verse that leaped out at me was from Matthew 14:29:
Peter risked drowning, or at the very least, sinking to step out in faith and trust Jesus. And, yet, Jesus spoke to the seas, and they silenced. Peter was risking something, but his faith said stepping out was worth the risk.
At the same time, faith in Jesus isn’t a risk. It’s believing in our Savior, His Word, and the security of our salvation.
Firm and secure. Our faith is firm and secure. I loved watching my character learn that while we do risk things in life, our faith isn’t one of them. It is secure in Jesus.
I love it when a character helps me see something in a new way, and I love it when a character’s story deepens my faith even a little.
What story or character’s journey has deepened your faith, helped you see something in a new light, or reminded you of an old truth?
For me, Dee Henderson’s entire O’Malley series deepened my faith. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it.
Have a blessed week,
Dani
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Thank you Dani fot your words.I see risk in a different way now. Thank you for the words of our Savior. I needed those today.
Aww. Thank you so much, Susan. I’m so glad it was encouraging to you today.
In general, when I read a story and watch the main characters’ journey, how they struggle, persevere, make decisions, and find resolution can help me in seeing things in myself.
That’s really cool. Love that. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Beautifully said! I definitely grow as I read stories of faith. I also find when I write stories about characters growing in their faith; I can’t help but grow and be challenged, too. Have a wonderful Easter, Dani!
I love this, and I love stories where the characters are pushed a little out of their safety zone and land in the safety of who Christ is. I’m very much risk-averse, but each time I’ve stepped out in faith, I’ve been rewarded for it. It’s scary, but it’s also a great way to build confidence in God and His promises.
I agree with you about Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series—until then, I’d never read any books about characters who demonstrated such a real and raw faith, and how compelling Jennifer’s arguments for faith and her life was for her adopted siblings.