Can I Tell You My Story?: Help During Life's Struggles

By Carol Viola Williams

The purpose of this book is to take those platitudes and add a promise. I want to share my experiences so that maybe they will help those on a similar path. Warning, I have a dry sense of humor. I am no expert and certainly do not have the answers. However, I am grateful to other authors whose writings encouraged and strengthened me along my many journeys and wish to do the same for others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664224377

Carol Viola Williams

Carol and her husband, David, live near the mountains of North Georgia. Her children are now living on their own. She enjoys traveling, even if it’s just for the day, sewing, scrapbooking, and other crafts. She is a retired Special Education teacher with a different perspective on life’s circumstances.

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Copyright © 2021 Carol Viola Williams.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by

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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.

WestBow Press

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and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-2436-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-2438-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-2437-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021903321

WestBow Press rev. date: 03/03/2021

Contents

Acknowledgement

Introduction

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

Eleven

Twelve

Thirteen

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank my family, friends, and

pastors for helping me through my life. I am

especially grateful to my husband, David, who

has supported and treasured me; my daughter,

Katlyn, who has been my helper and is truly a

blessing; my son, Robert, who provided us with

laughter and is the rock in our family; the friends

and pastors who have picked me up when I was

down and helped me become a better person.

I would also like to thank my editor and best

friend, Sonjia, for making my book easier to read.

INTRODUCTION

Why Platitudes?

As Christians, we have heard sayings or platitudes all our lives. Some are:

• God knows what you are going through.

• When He closes a door, He always opens a window.

• God will never give you more than you can handle. (my all-time favorite)

• God will help you through this.

• Many times these are based on scripture and are meant to provide a short word of comfort in everyday language. We use them to follow the instruction and the promise:

Praise be to God who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 KJV)

I believe that God has a purpose and plan for my life, but I have a negative way of looking at my struggles. To overcome this negativity, I need to accept my trials and look at them as Peter promised, Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4: 12-13 KJV) I also believe my struggles are polishing the diamond God wants me to be.

It is extremely frustrating when we can’t put our concern for others into words! So, I resort to those platitudes, although I have found, platitudes don’t seem to help me when I’m in the midst of a struggle. How can pastors be so good at helping in times of struggles or grief? Although my pastors were great when comforting me, I don’t recall anything specific that they said. When comforting