Trusting God Beyond Limits: How to Navigate Through Uncertainties

By Juliana Gardiner

ASPIRATIONS AND DESIRES COMBINE FOR A JOURNEY OF TRUST, HOPE, AND FINDING PURPOSE. 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  -ROMANS 8:28 (KJV)

TRUSTING GOD BEYOND LIMITS is heartily recommended to eve

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Sep 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890411327

Juliana Gardiner

JULIANA GARDINER, MPAJULIANA MPA,, maintains her love for reading and music and holds the posture of a life-long learner. She serves with her husband at the World Outreach Ministries where she is the women's leader and music director. She also works as a consultant for the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University. Juliana is married to Frederick Gardiner, and they are blessed with three adorable children: David, Adrianna, and Brendelle.

Book preview

Dedication

I dedicate this book to all my children and the love of my life, Frederick Gardiner. I have nothing but gratitude for you. Without your support, I wouldn’t have come this far.

To all who are on the verge of giving up, I am a living testimony of God’s faithfulness. Don’t give up!

Acknowledgments

Writing a book about the story of your life is a surreal process. It is both humbling and self-teaching. I didn’t know I wanted to do this until the Lord laid it heavily on my heart during the 2020 COVID-19 era. The nudge to write (though on a different topic) has been prior to this. I started but didn’t finish. But I’ve come to realize this truth—when the Lord has a hook on you, you can’t say no. And so, I want to say, Thank you, O Lord for not giving up on me!

Although one might think writing a book can be harder (because it takes discipline), it is more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. None of this would have been possible without my wonderful and beautiful family, who have been my biggest fan and supporter. My husband, Pastor Frederick Gardiner, gave me an office when I started working from home to help me focus. Little did we know it was the beginning of my writing career. My three children, David, Adrianna, and Brendelle, gave me space to pursue this goal. Brendelle has been such a motivator. She would constantly ask, Mom, have you completed your book?

I’m eternally grateful to my parents, who taught me discipline, tough love, manners, respect, and so much more that have helped me in my life journey. And to my siblings, who had always cherished and celebrated me.

To everyone at the World Outreach Ministries, USA. I’m honored to be a part of you. Thank you for letting me serve and lead, being a part of our amazing family, and always being there.

To one influential person who has been part of my getting here, World Bible Teacher Joyce Meyer, whom I call My Big Spiritual Mama. She once said in her teaching series, Just do what you know God is putting in your heart to do. Mama Joyce has been an inspiration!

Although my life was filled with many uncertainties, the teachings I received from church while growing up stabilized my faith. And so, to all those who have been a part of my story: Rev. Fitzgerald Odonkor, Rev. Emmanuel Titi-Lartey, Rev. Kwesi Dickson; Pastor David Ocansey, Kojo Folson—aka BORAX, Brother Ebo Koomson; Maame Araba Arhin, Nii Moi Adotei, and Kingsley Arhin—aka TOWAY. And many other friends whom space will not allow, I say, God bless you! Mr. & Mrs. Bethel Donkor, who took a chance to give me a vacation in their home while waiting to join my husband. That act of kindness did a lot of good in my life. Pastor Moses Owusu-Sekyere taught me persistent prayer whiles we worked together at Harvest Chapel International, Accra, Ghana. I am forever grateful!

Finally, to our family friend and uncle, Pastor Albert Danquah, for his editorial help, keen insight, and ongoing support in bringing this book to life. To Bro, William Mensah, who helped with my cover design, and Moses at Fiverr, who finally designed my book cover. And to the Trilogy publication team, I say thank you.

Because of these efforts and help, I have a legacy to pass on to my family, where one didn’t exist before. To God be the glory for the great things He has done!

Contents

"We easily get trapped by our fears,

but trust in the Lord secures us to soar."

Foreword

Introduction

My Story

Chapter One: Synopsis of trust

Chapter Two: what trust is not

Chapter Three: so, what is trust?

Chapter Four: when trusting is painful

Chapter Five: avoid hiding

Chapter Six: worry paralyzes

Chapter Seven: warfare in trusting

Chapter Eight: lessons in trust

Epilogue

Bibliography

Foreword

BY REVD. ALBERT DANQUAH

Among many Christians, the word trust is used often and sometimes so glibly that it appears to have become a treasured cliché. It is lovely to have Juliana meticulously put together encouraging words to help her readers reimagine what it means to trust. Her book is written in an easy-to-read, didactic style and is engaging. It almost feels like having an in-person conversation with the author.

Juliana peels off layers as she examines the subject throughout the book. Punctuated with hymns and contemporary songs, she shares bits of her experience with the reader and encourages one to pause and reflect on what it means to trust. She draws deeply from her faith developed over many years and shows how rewarding it is to exercise trust in the Lord.

Trusting God Beyond Limits is heartily recommended to everyone. It has many practical pointers to help one move a notch higher in their faith journey. This inspirational book may just be what you might have been waiting for. Dig into the pages, and you will be glad you did!

Introduction

How do we trust God in times of uncertainty? We find ourselves in a world where nothing seems permanent. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has been a big deal for everyone globally. As Christians, we read about people of faith and how they overcame times of uncertainty and found answers to their questions. We read about how they endured, which is supposed to empower us to overcome whatever we face.

Unfortunately, in our times of crisis, it’s as if God’s word is not enough for us. We struggle with understanding what is going on and how we can find answers to our questions. We struggle with trusting God to ultimately come through for us. At times we don’t know what trusting God means anymore. As a matter of fact, the people of old were not superheroes but were also humans like us who struggled with making sense of their circumstances as well, as James cites, Elijah was a human being, even as we are… (James 5:17, NIV). Isn’t this heartwarming, making us know that it is possible to overcome our challenges?

The situations we find ourselves in are not peculiar to us… Bible says in 1 Peter 4:12 (NIV), Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange was happening to you. Sometimes, we think we are the only ones facing a challenge. At other times we think our circumstances are more real than the Real God—the one who called forth light out of the darkness (2 Corinthians 4:6). When the chaos starts and seems overwhelming, we want quick fixes to our problems. Trust me, we’ve all been there before.

Yes, our world sometimes seems weird, unsafe, uncertain, and difficult, but those moments are the ones we can still hold onto our God and His word. We may not understand, but we can trust the God who knows the end from the beginning and still find peace during the storm. What do we think David meant when he wrote Psalm 23 (NASB 1977): Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me….

Personally, I had to trust God to write this book. The Lord laid on my heart to write in the past, but I couldn’t trust Him enough, so I stopped halfway. Again, He laid on my heart to write another, but situations discouraged me along the way. But permit me to say, Thank God for the COVID era. It taught me that one could become streams of living water where he or she is broken much. I’ve also come to embrace the fact that someone out there is waiting for this story to be blessed and, thus, my maiden edition.

And so, in this book, my simple task is to add a voice to trusting God and what it means and how we can do that. I pray that anyone who reads this book will find peace, healing, and restoration in their darkest moments in Jesus’ name. AMEN!

My Story

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 (KJV)

Aspirations and desires combine for a story of trust, hope, and finding purpose

When I got married, I lived in one part of the continent, and my husband lived in another because obtaining a visa to join him was a huge problem. Our marriage, which was characterized by joy and celebration of God’s goodness to everyone who waits on Him, came as no surprise because it was seen as God’s reward to all who serve Him diligently.

Two young hearts joined together as one, now left in the middle of the ocean to swim by themselves. After losing all hope of obtaining a visa to live with my husband in the United States, I was faced with the challenge of