The Power of Story When Questions Transform Into Bold Faith
What do we believe, why it matters, and how to apply the timeless truths of the Scripture in our lives
The mission of Just One More Chapter is to offer inspiration, encouragement, and connection through shared stories. As such, we regularly offer guest interviews from those have been impacted by the power of story in their own lives. Today we are chatting with Laura Bailey, a Christian author and speaker, who encourages women to consider how we walk out our faith in between the temporal and eternal.
MEGAN: You are an author and speaker who is known for demonstrating bold, brave faith while offering encouragement to women to grow in relationship with the Lord. Can you share with us how and why you started this ministry?
LAURA: First, thank you for your kind words, as most days, I don't believe my faith is bold or brave. However, I read once that bravery isn't the absence of fear but choosing to act even when you are afraid. And that's how my ministry started. During a conversation over five years ago, a colleague suggested that I start a blog as a way to process what I was learning in my faith. As someone who struggles to know where to place a comma and lives in run-on sentences, I couldn't help but laugh. I went home that night and wrestled with the idea, trying to talk myself out of it. Yet, the following day, I opened my computer and wrote my first blog post, "There's no Plan B."
From there, I attended a writer's conference, began writing for a few different Christian publications, and eventually, a book that paved the way for me to begin speaking and teaching the Bible. My heart has always been to help women understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply the timeless truths of the Scripture to their lives. I also wanted to be a person who shined a light on the issues I heard many women express in my community--the topics we tend to shy away from in most churches. I don't have all the answers, but I hope for some, I can help women find comfort in realizing that they are not alone in their doubt, wrestling, or questions regarding their faith.
MEGAN: What are some of the ways you help women who are wrestling with doubt or questions about their faith?
LAURA: I think some of the ways I offer encouragement to these women is through sharing my own story. I’ve longed for the unwavering and unquestioning faith that many of my fellow sisters in Christ experience. I believe the Bible is true, that the same God who created the universe loves me, and that my salvation through Christ alone is secure. Yet, there are days when I still find myself questioning the Lord. I ask: “Why is this happening? I don’t understand; I can’t see you at work in this situation.” Or, “Have you forgotten about your people? Why do you continue to allow such evil to prevail?”
It’s taken many years for me to accept that I don’t have to feel shame or guilt because I question God. I am not less of a Christian because I struggle to get certain things about our faith. God is big enough to handle my doubts, fears, and questions. It also helped me immensely when I discovered I wasn’t alone. There are several biblical characters in God’s Word who also had similar doubts, such as the prophet Habakkuk from centuries ago. We see in the Book of Habakkuk that while God allows Habakkuk to vent and question Him, God doesn’t explain or justify His actions. But through their back and forth, Habakkuk develops a deeper appreciation for God’s sovereignty, and his faith is renewed and strengthened even though he doesn't have his question answered. This is the same encouragement I offer to women. We don’t have to have all the answers to still believe and share our faith with others.
MEGAN: One of your greatest passions is teaching women how to access and engage with the Word of God. Can you tell us a little bit more about that and why you feel so strongly about equipping women in this way? What tools do you use to teach women how to study the Bible?
LAURA: I grew up in church, went to countless Bible schools, camps, and retreats, participated in Bible studies, and even led a few. I had a basic head knowledge of God but no heart knowledge. It wasn't until I learned how to study the Bible for myself that I looked at Scripture differently; not as a magic eight ball telling me what to do, but as a path to understanding and knowing God more intimately. I was 32 years old before I read the whole Bible cover to cover and started asking the questions of the text I mentioned above: What does this verse mean? Why does it matter that I study Scripture? How does this passage speak to how I should live my life?
I believed a lie, not because of anyone's influence, but simply due to my misguided understanding, that only pastors and seminarians can truly study and understand the Bible. One day, I did a Google search for "how to study your Bible" and found Jen Wilkin's "Women of the Word." This book radically transformed my study, and I knew I had to help others! When studying the Bible, I direct women to read Wilkin's book, read passages in multiple translations, use a dictionary or thesaurus to look up words, and then re-write the text in their own words.
MEGAN: You have a new book that just released, Embracing Eternity in the Here and Now. What message are you sharing to readers through this work?
LAURA: I hope readers will walk away from the book pondering the exact message Solomon intended in his writing of Ecclesiastes: Are you investing in the temporary or the eternal? We spend so much of our lives, time, money, mental capacity, and resources on things that have no lasting significance. They aren't necessarily bad things; some might even be good, but are they the best way to spend our brief time on this earth? I hope not to drive readers into a tizzy over contemplating their life, or the reality of their morality, but instead to invite them to pause and do the "hard heart work." The only thing we are guaranteed is death. The most important decisions we will make is to accept Christ as Savior, as its effects have an eternal impact. Once we've decided to follow Christ, we should ask, "Am I living my life in a way that honors God?" Or, as Ecclesiastes 12:13 shares, "We should fear God and keep His commandments."
MEGAN: Solomon is the main "character" in the Book of Ecclesiastes as well as a central focus in your book. How do you think Solomon felt about the power and importance of shared stories?
LAURA: Considering that the book of Ecclesiastes is basically like Solomon's diary, I would argue that he believes personal stories are powerful. Solomon is reflecting on his very full life and sharing with us all the ways he rebelled against God and the harm it caused him and others. He is also warning us to avoid making the same mistakes. Here is a man who is saying, "Learn from my transgressions! It's not worth it!" Many in his position as king, would have commanded that only his successes be recorded. Yet, Solomon put his good, bad, and ugly on full display, hoping that someone would avoid the path of distraction and destruction.
MEGAN: While you just released Embracing Eternity in the Here and Now, this is actually your second publication. Can you share with us your first book and why you wrote it?
LAURA: My first book was Beyond the Noise: Silencing the Deceiver in A Loud of World Lies. It focuses on ten lies that women tend to believe and provides biblical truth to refute those deceptions. It was a way to process the lies I believed for many years about my faith, with the hope that other women could find encouragement if they were struggling as well.
MEGAN: I happen to know, that you are not just a writer, but you also an AVID reader. Can you share with us what you love about reading?
LAURA: In fiction, I love how the power of story can move us to empathize and relate to people and situations we've never considered. My favorite authors will have me gnawing on the question, "What would I do in this situation?" for days on end. I am a huge history buff, so I love being transported into a different time, stepping into someone else's life, and experiencing a whole new world without leaving my couch---even though I would love to see some of these places in real life too! For non-fiction, I value learning, and I am always looking for ways to challenge my thinking or encourage me to seek more on a topic.
MEGAN: Do you have any favorite books or authors? What is it that you love about these titles?
LAURA: Fiction: Kristen Hannah, Wiley Cash, William Kent Kreuger, Karen Slaughter, Barbara Kingsolver --- they are incredible story tellers, and are able to weave complex themes such as race, gender, cultural clash, etc., into digestible and enjoyable content. Non-Fiction: Jen Wilkin, Kevin DeYoung, Paul David Tripp, Gavin and Dane C. Ortlund. Again, they are able to take complex theological topics and break them down while still provoking thought.
MEGAN: One final question, can you share with our readers why you believe so strongly in the power of story and its impact your own life as well as on the lives of others?
LAURA: I mentioned this in the opening, but we all want to know we aren't alone; that there's someone else out there that sympathizes or empathizes with us. We also, at our core, love a good "comeback story." We want the couple to make up, the hero to slay the dragon, and the bad boy to turn good. When we see the power of the Gospel displayed through people who are willing to share their story--- like Solomon the good, bad and ugly--it gives us hope that we too can change.
Laura Bailey is an author and Bible teacher who encourages women to understand what they believe, why it matters, and how to apply biblical truths to their lives. Her writing has been featured in Proverbs 31 Ministries, Crosswalk, Guideposts, and other publications. She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband and three young girls, where she serves as director of women's ministries at her church. Her passion is teaching the Bible to women, equipping them to live with an eternal perspective. Invite Laura to speak at your next event or learn more: www.LauraRBailey.com. To purchase Laura’s books, please click on the links at the bottom of the page.
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To read more authentic stories of faith shared through the lives imperfect people, take a look at Megan’s faith-based blog The Wife of Job.
To purchase Laura’s books please click on the links below: