God Gets Dirty: Consolation in the Midst of Calamity

By Wendy Cohen

SATURATE YOUR SPIRIT WITH A LOVE THAT EXTENDS BEYOND CIRCUMSTANCE AND SATISFY THE SEARCH FOR TRUE SIGNIFICANCE.

Pressure systems collide, and lighting explodes. When the winds of despair threaten to take you out, unearth a reliable refuge amidst the roar of the storm.

Walk through the crucible of calamity with Wendy as she seeks an

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Jul 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887385280

Wendy Cohen

Wendy is married to a construction boss/ordained minister who is serving as a pastor for a small congregation. She is a stepmom to a young evangelist. She enjoys nature and spending time with her family.Wendy attended Bible school in Sweden for a period of time and has been a student of God's Word for over thirty years. She relishes the opportunity to teach from the Bible whenever the opportunity arises. She is certified as a nutritionist and lifestyle wellness coach. She loves to impart assistance to others in their endeavor to find wholeness and health.

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God Gets Dirty

Trilogy Christian Publishers A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2023 by Wendy Sue Cohen

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org.

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are taken from The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible, BSB, Copyright©2016, 2018 by Bible Hub. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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are taken from the Contemporary English Bible®. Copyright © 1995 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.

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are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without written permission from the author. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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Trilogy Christian Publishing/TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Manufactured in the United States of America

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN: 978-8-88738-527-3

E-ISBN: 978-8-88738-528-0

Acknowledgments

To Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for giving me the idea for this book. My gratitude overflows for who You are and how You have strengthened me. Thank You for never giving up on me.

You are the Bright and Morning Star.

To my family: Your support, love, and encouragement has been invaluable. To say I’m thankful is an understatement.

To all my wonderful friends and those who’ve cheered me on: Bless you. I appreciate each and every one of you. I’m humbled by your interest in all that has transpired in my life.

Foreword

A warrior is someone who has demonstrated incredible courage and intention in the pursuit of a goal.

Battlefields exist in all phases of life. I want to introduce you to a prayer warrior who serves God in many ways through the Holy Spirit by her prayer intercessions.

I first met Wendy Cohen when she was working for my company in an administrative position. Over time, I discovered her life journey and her incredible resolve in overcoming what many would call debilitating pain, due to an accident that occurred in the prime of her career as a flight attendant. Multiple failed surgeries left Wendy continuing to turn to God for reconciliation.

Wendy has personally reached out to me in prayer when she learned of my daughter’s death, leaving my two small granddaughters. I know her prayer life has helped so many others in their physical and emotional journeys.

As you read this book, be prepared to examine your own journey and outreach as Wendy describes her own.

—John L Thomas

Financial consultant, business owner, and friend

Introduction

Life. What a challenge. Devastation and loss blind us to the concept that God exists. Why would He allow so much suffering in the world? The temptation of unbelief is real. Despondency wraps its invisible tentacles around the heart and suffocates expectation.

Does God care? How can we be certain?

Adversity fires its missiles at will anytime, anywhere, and toward anyone. It stands irreverent to age, economic status, nationality, gender, or belief.

Does hope exist as we navigate a maze of mayhem, chaos, and calamity? Where do we go to find it? Do we seek education? Money? Power? What effect do any of these players have on the heart and soul? The poison of sorrow and heartache begs a remedy.

Consider the notion of a Creator who knows the number of hairs on your head and thinks about you more times than the number of sand particles on the ocean shore. Would that astonish you? What if you were able to take every disturbance and burden to Him and know that He heard your cry?

Stretch your imagination and open the gate of your soul to discover a love beyond comprehension.

The overwhelming desire to share my personal experiences with Him outweigh the adversity of the task. I attest that I’m no expert. I am one who bears flaws. The remnants of ashen residue that has cloaked my existence beckons me to deliver my message.

Would that it could pour soothing oil on another’s wound.

The ugly notion of giving up dangled its defeating docket in anticipation of derailing me. The snarling struggle loomed in the stormy distance. My lungs gasped for the air of supernatural vigor.

In a culture laden with social media and the pursuit of the perfect selfie, I dare to swim upstream. The direction I choose contradicts a presentation of the polished image. Amongst these pages unfolds my private world bared for all to see. It’s disheveled. No fabrication here.

Thank you in advance for allowing me to express that which has helped my journey. It’s with gratitude and thanksgiving to the One who created me that I continue to carry on.

With these words I venture to impart what has brought me through.

This is my story. I hope you will join me.

Chapter 1

Introduction to the Dirt

Faith. God. What’s dirt got to do with it? Let’s seek it out.

First, allow me to entertain you. Recently I visited a thrift store in anticipation of finding an organizer. Out of the corner of my eye, a cute shirt grabbed my attention.

I could smell the aroma of an irresistible deal. Peering at me from a lonely rack, hung a cuddly parka.

It’s summer, what do I need a coat for?

Its allure kept bidding me. Try me on.

How could I resist?

Ooh this fits so perfectly, and it’s a name brand to boot. What a find! But fifteen dollars is too much for an unneeded article.

I kept ogling it. It’s so cute. God, I want this.

Stay with me. I’ll get to the dirt soon. You won’t want to miss it.

Front and back, I assessed in the mirror. No! This contradicts getting out of debt.

After much deliberation, it returned to the clerk.

I can’t afford this.

Next stop, grocery store.

A shimmering image formed in my mind. Me, on a cold winter’s day, modeling my treasure for my beloved husband.

Buy me. I know you want me.

Enough! I countered the nagging voice.

Inside the store a cart awaited. Once my hands grasped the handle, it happened. The brilliantly colored produce converted into furry threads.

An intercom belted out, Don’t forget to take advantage of seventy percent off attire.

My tensed fingers released their grip on the basket. I was off at warp speed.

The miraculous occured. My vehicle transformed into a heat-seeking torpedo. I morphed into a ballistic bargain-basement maniac. No turning back now. Sweat built under my arms. Panic set in.

What if?

I was a woman on a mission, frenzied for my fashion find. I was hopeful no one ran smack into the abandoned grocery buggy.

The doors seemed frozen in time. Why is everything in slow motion? How long has it been since I left my delightful deal?

I returned to the scene of my temptation. Saliva built in my mouth.

The unthinkable had transpired. Someone had stolen my coat!

Regardless of how many associates I inquired, it was useless.

What in the world does any of this have to do with God? And dirt? What’s the connection?

Who is He? Does He care about me?

I’m not here to bring elaborate theological terms too complex to comprehend. This is a journey. I aspire to pique your imagination and explore faith for yourself.

God came down to our level, where we live. Did I lose you?

I don’t believe in God or any of that religious nonsense, you mutter.

Understood. It could be worthwhile to stick around. I reveal that God is a person and very personal. Come with me on this discovery. The choice is yours, of course. No pressure.

Dirt and God will become more acquainted through the roadmap of these pages. Interested?

The frothing-at-the-mouth jacket incidence was cause for further examination.

God, what was that craziness about?

Aha. He speaks.

Did you know that the God of creation is even more in pursuit of you than I was of that cozy coat? He will stop at nothing to gain your attention and draw you to Himself. Hence, He commences the chase throughout this text.

Hogwash, you retort. Or worse.

Adversity and suffering blind our vision of a God who cares. Trust me, I’m no stranger to difficulties.

Here, on these pages, I bare my soul for all, uncertain of the response.

I concede I’ve been to the depths of despair. I’ve glared over the edge of an emotional cliff landscaped in craggy crevices. Searing affliction raged throughout my tissues and plunged me into nightmarish days of darkness.

Rather than succumbing to the inferno, I discovered a power beyond myself.

There’s a great amount of trepidation to use this portrait of pain for God’s glory. As I unearth the hidden details that lurk in the corners of my soul, I wonder, Will it benefit another?

Are you without solutions and unsure where to turn? I don’t hold all the answers. I’m here to point you in the direction of comfort.

At