H.O.P.E.: Helps Ordinary People Everywhere

By Helen Bell

H.O.P.E. is an inspirational book that explores the many facets of what it means to be a Christian today, detailing the times God can support our endeavors, heal our deepest wounds, and work miracles before our very eyes. Helen Bell provides readers with seven personal stories ranging from an authentic account of what happened when she questioned the Lord, to trusting God when a beloved child became deathly ill, to believing how Gods timing has always been the best timing (even if it took her several years to realize it). With well-chosen scriptures throughout and a reflective question-and-answer design at the end of each chapter, Bells H.O.P.E. will entertain, enlighten, and help every person who reads it to grow closer to the Lord.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 28, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512782189

Helen Bell

Helen Bell has been a Christian for over two decades, and during that time has witnessed miracles, experienced God’s healing, and weathered many trials that tested her faith in every way imaginable. She is an author, speaker, wife and mother of four children residing in Phoenix, Arizona. Visit her website at www.HopeHelpsPeople.com.

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H.O.P.E.

Helps Ordinary People Everywhere

HELEN BELL

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Copyright © 2017 Helen Bell.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-8217-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-8218-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017905137

WestBow Press rev. date: 06/26/2017

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1:    My Name Is Hen - The Freedom of Forgiveness

Chapter 2:    A Modern-Day Miracle - Pray Diligently and Unceasingly

Chapter 3:    Every Life Is Precious - Trusting God’s Plan in a Fallen World

Chapter 4:    It’s Never Too Late - Practicing God’s Mercy in Difficult Relationships

Chapter 5:    Up to the Challenge - Building Endurance through Trials

Chapter 6:    His Reward Is Greater - Abiding by God’s Timing

Chapter 7:    Double Rainbow - When We Question God’s Instruction

This book is lovingly dedicated to Tina:

cousin, best friend, and godmother to my children

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Chris, my husband, my friend; you encouraged me to keep writing even when life seemed too busy or complicated— thank you. Dearest children: Taylor, Wesley, Peyton, Timothy, thank you for listening, reading and cheering me on to the finish line.

Thank you, Dad and Danella, for your reassuring words and prayers during this book-writing adventure.

Pastors Barbara and Bernard Stowers of Manifested Glory Ministries in Kent, Washington— thank you for your endless love, support, prayers, guidance, and wisdom. Your ministry and love for Jesus helped lay a Christ-centered foundation that I am forever thankful for.

Founding Pastors Wendell and Gini Smith, Lead Pastors Judah and Chelsea Smith of The City Church in Seattle, Washington— thank you for being such an inspiration; your messages have helped me grow in faith and love for Jesus, strengthening me at times when I’ve need it the most.

Pastors Ryan and Dana Malouff of Expression Church in Austin, Texas— thank you for being our home away from home. We love Expression Church.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

—Romans 15:13

This book was written with the intention of reaching all people who have struggled or are struggling with the trials we face in life—the tragedy, the bad news, the feelings of regret, guilt, or anxiety that so often punctuate certain seasons we experience. If you’ve ever felt like a wrong turn was taken somewhere and that there’s no going back or moving forward, I want to remind you that’s not true. Don’t give up, don’t lose hope, and don’t forget that all you have to do is take one day at a time.

In the meantime, I’m praying that our Lord gives you encouragement, courage, and the resilience to keep going. If the personal experiences detailed in this book inspire you or simply remind you that you’re not alone, my ultimate goal has been achieved. May God bless you, heal you, strengthen you, and give you hope and a future. In Jesus’ name, amen.

CHAPTER 1

My Name Is Hen

The Freedom of Forgiveness

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

—Colossians 3:12–15

A Mother’s Choice

A quiet young woman in her early twenties walked through the brightly lit hospital corridors, passing cheerful paintings of animals and jungles and flowers decorating the walls. She didn’t stop at the patient services desk before taking the elevator up to the maternity floor. She knew exactly where to go.

Can I help you? a staff member asked as the timid woman with teary eyes and a polite smile passed her in the hallway.

Yes, please. My name is Louisa, and I’m wondering if you could help me. I had a baby here a few weeks ago. She stopped, took a steadying breath, and continued. I gave her up for adoption, and I just want to make sure everything went okay.

The nurse recognized her, and she remembered the baby she was referring to. She— The nurse hesitated. The baby is still here.

Louisa gasped, experiencing an avalanche of emotions: fear, sadness, happiness, confusion.

Wait here, the nurse said. I’ll find a supervisor to explain.

Louisa soon found out that the baby had been diagnosed with infant jaundice and was recovering in the hospital; also, there’d been some issues