Shatterproof: Practical Lessons To Help Navigate Difficult Moments

By Kara Ramirez

You may be struggling with your health or your family or facing challenges in your professional or personal life. Regardless of your circumstances, you don't have to be afraid of the difficulties that stand in your path. You can live triumphantly by learning how to give your worries to the one who heals all wounds regardless of your pain.

Learning to let go and let God take control of your life can be hard. This book reveals the many benefits that come from letting him lead and provides a road map for how to navigate through life's difficult moments with God in the driver's seat.

No matter what we face in this life, when we are living in the center of God's will for our lives, we are shatterproof against anything that threatens to harm us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hawes & Jenkins Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781637840214

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Shatterproof

Practical Lessons To Help Navigate Difficult Moments

Kara Ramirez

ISBN 978-1-63784-020-7 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63784-021-4 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Kara Ramirez

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Hawes & Jenkins Publishing

16427 N Scottsdale Road Suite 410

Scottsdale, AZ 85254

www.hawesjenkins.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1

Unexpected Danger

Lesson 1

Stop Living an Anxious Life

Keep It Simple: How Does It Apply to Me?

Chapter 2

The Messy Life

Lesson 2

Your Past Doesn't Define Your Future

Keep It Simple: 1, 2, 3, How Does It Apply to Me?

Chapter 3

Burning Bridges—No Turning Back

Lesson 3

Trust When Things Don't Make Sense

Keep It Simple: 1, 2, 3, How Does It Apply to Me?

Chapter 4

Course Correction

Lesson 4

Embrace an Attitude of Optimism

Keep It Simple: 1, 2, 3, How Does It Apply to Me?

Chapter 5

Applying the Right Solution

Lesson 5

Learn to Recognize God's Protection

Keep It Simple: 1, 2, 3, How Does It Apply to Me?

Chapter 6

Active Faith

Lesson 6

Share Your Burdens

Keep It Simple: 1, 2, 3, How Does It Apply to Me?

Chapter 7

Precious Little Moments

Lesson 7

Stop to Smell the Flowers in Life

Keep It Simple: 1, 2, 3, How Does It Apply to Me?

Chapter 8

The Prime Time of Life

Lesson 8

Discover Your True Source of Provision

Keep It Simple: 1, 2, 3, How Does It Apply to Me?

Chapter 9

Recognize Your Value

Lesson 9

Prepare for the Unexpected

Keep It Simple: 1, 2, 3, How Does It Apply to Me?

Chapter 10

Expecting Favor

Lesson 10

Get Moving

Keep It Simple: 1, 2, 3, How Does It Apply to Me?

Chapter 11

Press On

Lesson 11

Embrace Your Uniqueness

Keep It Simple: 1, 2, 3, How Does It Apply to Me?

Chapter 12

Follow the Leader

Lesson 12

Pull Back the Curtain

Keep It Simple: 1, 2, 3, How Does It Apply to Me?

Shatterproof in the Center of God's Will

About the Author

Foreword

What does it take for a person to stop trying to forge their own path through the twists and turns of life and allow God to guide and direct their path? I've personally known the author for a long time and have heard many of her stories, but it was not until opening up the pages of this self-help book that I discovered the answer to my question would be found in the pages of Shatterproof.

She is the most qualified to write this book because she has personally lived through the emotions and struggles created by the pain, anxiety, doubt, and uncertainty revealed in the details of each story. No two stories are alike. With each trial, she shares how choosing the right response directly strengthened her ability to face the effects of each adversity. As a professional involved in the psychology of learning, I was encouraged by her perseverance as she shares her personal battle with her health and the difficulties associated with trying to influence people in the workplace to embrace change. None of the challenges she faced were easy, and all required God-given wisdom and patience in the process of dealing with life's roadblocks and unexpected events in her life.

The uniqueness and strength of her book are found in the manner in which she engages the reader to reflect on the changes that may need to occur in their own life to realize a more resilient and empowered lifestyle. Personally, I find the pages filled with insightful, godly wisdom to be not only uplifting but challenging as they continually encouraged me to examine how I choose to face adversity in my life. To be asked to write the foreword to such a helpful and thought-provoking book is an honor and privilege.

This book is not about the differences that make us unique but about the difficulties we all face that link us together in one unbreakable bond. If your desire is to read a book that will not only inspire you but empower you with the skills and strategies to run the race God set before you, Shatterproof is your starting point.

Dr. Judith L Riffel, EdD

Ontogeny Consultants

Introduction

Learning to let go and let God take control of our life can be hard. But when we finally do and recognize the freedom that comes when God is in the driver's seat, we are indestructible. While we are guaranteed to have trouble in this world, we don't have to live a life full of anxiety or fear. We can rest easy realizing that despite the pain or trouble we are facing, when we are living in the center of God's will for our lives, we are shatterproof against anything meant to destroy us.

This book provides practical lessons for navigating through life's difficult moments and reveals the many benefits that come from this decision. We are each walking a uniquely designed path, and God's promises are applicable and available to all of us. My intent is to draw your attention to biblical truths you can apply in your own situation.

Each one of us experiences difficulty in life. It is a fact we can't escape. Shatterproof highlights the impact of the actions we take to address the trouble we face and the influence those decisions have on the people around us and on our relationships. Our choices won't necessarily lengthen the number of our days, but they will impact the quality of our moments.

Shatterproof will show you how to maximize your response to various trials to achieve peak results. It will help you align your desires with God's will for your life through the use of scripture and past personal events. My hope is to nudge you into realizing that it's the inconsequential decisions and small moments of our everyday life that count. Often, and at times easily overlooked, it is actually the little things in life that have the biggest impact on others. We may spend time focused on the big things while missing this crucial truth. Shatterproof reminds you to slow down and embrace the present events as a part of God's larger design for your life.

We have a real enemy who is working against us trying to thwart the plans God has for us. Shatterproof offers insight into how you can learn to resist these assaults, identify areas in which attacks are imminent, and prepare to fight back. We are not instructed to engage in these battles alone, so you will learn how to enlist a team of people to join you on your journey and properly seek God's instruction while gaining support from others. This book will help you eliminate unproductive anxiety meant to distract you from the real purpose of your life.

Shatterproof is for anyone who is facing a trial or simply seeking to understand the purpose God has for their life. It includes designated moments for self-reflection, allowing you time to evaluate your own situation while setting aside space for God to step in to help you foster stronger relationships. I encourage you to use this time to identify and course correct in any areas you feel may be slipping away from his plan for your life.

The stories portrayed in these pages are real. While I use humor to entertain, the reality of my struggle has been difficult. As a poster child for a messy life, I am confident that my messiness is relatable to anyone who has walked through a difficult season in their life. As you read my story, you will visualize yourself both on the mountaintop and in your valley experiences as you relate to the stories presented. You will find hope and encouragement on your journey as you press forward into God's best for you. You will read examples that demonstrate his unlimited power and subsequent victory that come through enduring trials. Learning to take action where applicable while trusting in God to do the God stuff. You will read about my intense desire to keep moving forward with a refusal to give up. My approach is meant to motivate you and help you understand the realm of possibility waiting just around the corner.

My hope is that after reading Shatterproof, you will be inspired to overcome the seen and unseen obstacles standing in your way. You will be better equipped to not only seek God's will for you more fully but to deploy the tools available to support your efforts, creating a happier, more fulfilling daily walk. You will learn how to relinquish control, allowing God to sit in the driver's seat of your life while you move into the copilot chair as you navigate your circumstances.

When we align with the will of God in our lives, we will uncover the plans he has for us. Exposing our deficiencies helps us shift from a victim mindset to a person of strength recognizing the inner qualities he has uniquely designed for each of us. When we become more fully aware of God's direction, we find reassurance we are seeking. When we are living in the will of God for our lives, despite anything that is coming against us, we are shatterproof!

Chapter 1

Unexpected Danger

Gunshots! Get down!

I will never forget the sound I heard that day, familiar yet odd—the sound of Black Cat fireworks exploding. The problem was, this wasn't the Fourth of July, it was Mother's Day, and fireworks are illegal to purchase in the spring. Upon hearing my general manager scream at me we immediately fell to the ground and scurried under my car. The shots continued for a short while. We belly crawled face first on the ground farther under my vehicle. Knowing this was serious and unsure of where the perpetrators were, panic set in. We had no idea what was happening. We were terrified. Did the gunmen see us? Would he come back to find us under the car to kill us? For the second time in one day, I found myself staring death in the face.

Let me start at the beginning of my day to explain what I mean.

It was May, the day before Mother's Day to be exact. I remember it well. My husband took an unusual trip to the golf course—a hobby he enjoyed but something he rarely did these days, preferring to spend his spare time with our family. It was a cool, beautiful morning, so I grabbed my two young sons, and we headed outside for a relaxing swing in our backyard.

Understanding my husband's outing with his buddies was infrequent yet well-deserved, I was intentionally trying not to interrupt his golf game. I desperately wanted him to have a break and didn't want to ruin things by calling him until…I had no other choice.

My children and I were swaying back and forth, in full enjoyment of the cool breeze that was brushing across our faces. Peaceful tranquility at its finest—until the moment when I noticed our Doberman uncharacteristically began pacing around the perimeter of the fence. Then I saw it. He stooped down to meet what looked like a snake lunging toward his face. Like most humans, I have a few fears, and snakes are at the top of my list. They paralyze me. In a panic, I grabbed my toddlers and rushed inside.

On a side note, while I despise snakes, coincidentally, I seem to run into more than my fair share each year. I have resigned myself to the fact that this must be a reminder from God that he made even these creatures and I need to learn to appreciate them. Admittedly, I am not there yet. Each time I see a snake in my backyard, I have a habit of running inside my house. Next, I spend time watching through my window thinking the snake is somehow stalking me. Ludicrous thinking, I know, but in my mind, I can no longer visit the place of my encounter until I am confident the snake is gone. I know, I know they are good for the environment. Like I said, my appreciation for these animals isn't there yet, but I am working on it.

Back to my story. Knowing I couldn't spend hours at the window yet understanding my obsessive behavior, I felt obligated to do something about this problem. The only person I could rely on, at that time, was my husband. Against my better judgment, I called him, consequently interrupting his golf game. In true fashion, he was kind and understanding. He tried to explain that I should wait until he got home and he would take care of it. He was on the ninth hole and unable to leave.

I mentioned my obsessive behavior, right? My mind got the best of me that day, and I was incapable of controlling it. I decided it was best to ask my neighbor for help, so I started across the cul-de-sac. There was just one problem. He and his wife had recently given birth to their first child, and as a parent, I knew this likely meant they could be sleeping. Sleep for new parents is sacred, but I was out of options, at least in my mind.

Very quietly, I knocked on the door, thinking, Well, at least I am not ringing the doorbell. How considerate of me. My six-foot-five, 250-pound neighbor was a genuinely great person, with the body of a linebacker and a giant teddy bear demeanor. He opened the door with an agitated look on his face and a phone to his ear. I heard him say to the person on the other end, Yeah, she's right here. I will see how I can help.

My husband knew how distraught I would be about the snake. While he was unable to fix my circumstances at the moment, he did the next best thing and resolved my feelings of panic from a distance by calling our neighbor to help solve my problem.

I watched as my neighbor walked over—shovel in hand and dressed in tall snake-proof boots—entering our backyard, he found the water moccasin, and dragged it to the sidewalk. These snakes are deadly to people, pets, and wildlife, so he disposed of it. Relieved, I expressed my deepest gratitude and apologies for interrupting their sleep. My problem was solved. Later I was reminded about the importance of not jumping to conclusions when I learned he shared my fear of snakes. His wife was the courageous snake hunter in the family! His annoyed demeanor that day wasn't a result of me waking them or their infant son. He was terrified of the snake but didn't want us to think he was afraid.

Looking back, I realize the extreme fear I felt that morning. Alone, surrounded by peaceful serenity in our backyard that beautiful morning, we were literally staring death in the face. Then I remembered despite feeling like