A Widow's Guide: My Journey through Insanity to Victory and Still I Press

By KRV Gunnels

This book began as a writer’s journal dictating her story in real time that would become a guide to encourage both the widow and widower suffering loss. The author takes us on her journey of suffering and pain at the unexpected death of her husband. It reflects on the betrayal of life and the ability to trust her God while being still through it all. He shows up for her restoring the hope she thought was gone. He gives her the ability to prevail in victory when she thought she would lose it all. Hearing His still voice of instruction to wait on His timing and process introduced her to a whole different type of love from her champion through His mercy, wisdom, and grace. Papa God teaches her the true art of forgiveness that brings deliverance and healing back to her life. She overcame and didn’t die as her mind told her she would. The author’s references to God and the various roles—He and the Creator of all and the universe—that has taken in her life since the beginning of time is transparent in her writing as she takes you on her journey of faith, healing, gratitude, grief, loss, and surrender. Don’t give up, my brother, my sister. Let God have the battles the enemy tells you that you can’t win.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888326008

Book preview

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A Widow's Guide

My Journey through Insanity to Victory and Still I Press

KRV Gunnels

ISBN 979-8-88832-599-5 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88832-600-8 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by KRV Gunnels

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.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Disclaimer

Introduction

A Rosebush for David

Chapter 1

For Real Father

Chapter 2

The Betrayal of the Few, Family

Chapter 3

He Said, They Said, then There Was God

Chapter 4

Now What? Take Inventory of the Report

Chapter 5

Note to Self with No Regrets

Chapter 6

Mask

Chapter 7

Meditation

Chapter 8

To Whom Does This Battle, Fight, and Victory Belong To?

Chapter 9

I Can't Take It Anymore, Seek Counsel

Chapter 10

Get Out of the Way!

Chapter 11

Check My Pulse, Am I Still Breathing?

Chapter 12

You Were Built for This

Chapter 13

Status: Mrs., Ms., or Miss

Chapter 14

The Courage to Forgive and Say Goodbye

Acknowledgments

Reviews

Workbook for Daily Check In and Renewal

About the Author

Disclaimer

Any information, characters, and events within the body of this book or other related materials are the sole opinion of the author and only for entertainment and for the encouragement of others. The views expressed have no relation to any academic, hospital, office practices, or corporate institutions with which the author is affiliated. The author does not intend any of this information to be used for self-diagnosis, treatment, or legal strategies.

Always seek professional and medical assistance when needed, and please do not delay care of yourself or others based on this book or its contents of materials. To the maximum extent, the author holds no liabilities for the delay in an individual seeking professional and spiritual care, bearing no responsibility for the denial or delay of mental or physical care due to any of the wording, materials, or author's personal actions provided in this book. Please seek help for any mental or physical needs you as the reader may need based on your personal life events past, present, or future.

Introduction

Your tears also have power. Every encounter permitted on your journey has been divinely ordered by God, our Creator. It is what you do with it and how you walk through it that determines the velocity of its strength and value for both you and those waiting to hear the words of your testimony. It's not easy. It feels like an up-and-down hike of prolonged valleys and temporary highs and excitement. When your loss outweighs your gains, yet you still can see God's hand of peace and refuge in and on your life, you know this is doable, and you will and can endure all things as long as the Father is with you.

Don't give up, my brother and sister. Your rainbow of destiny awaits as you travail and endure that your testimony will be a help for someone else awaiting your victory.

A Rosebush for David

I planted this rosebush in memory of my husband, David, months after his death. I have always loved roses. They are my favorite flower—the way they whistle in the wind gets your attention as you admire their beauty, the various shades of color, the enchanting fragrance they wear, and the silkiness of their petals. They are delicate to the touch until you go to pluck them, and their thorns command your attention. At the beginning of our romance was beauty and appreciation, joy and gentleness, but waiting for us were the thorns unforeseen of life and others. Our marriage was being attacked by insects and nits. It was dying just like the rosebush planted in my husband's memory until I realized there was a cure already in place. For the bush, there was a spray but for us; some call Him Jesus.

I purchased a spray made just for killing and protecting roses past their silky petals down to their thorns, and she began to thrive. I began to grow wearier in my new reality without my husband, just like this rosebush I was trying to grow. As I began to spend more time in that sweet spot with my heavenly Father, His joy in the form of a new wind of gratitude, joy, grace, and gentleness swept over me, and all that He allowed me to touch consumed me. I was captivated by the way Father God showed up as my champion in such a gentle way for every situation, propelling and protecting me from my enemies. No warning label was offered.

The enemy thought that I would surrender my will, my future, my mind, and my inheritance and turn my back on God in my darkest hour. My enemy underestimated the love of God for me and my ability to