Book Drawing! “Embracing Joy: An 8-Week Transformational Bible Study of Habakkuk” by Jean Wilund 
If you’ve ever studied the biblical book of Habakkuk or have wanted to, you’ll be excited to hear about Jean Wilund’s book Embracing Joy as my next book drawing. In Jean’s 8-week Bible study of the tiny book of Habakkuk, you’ll dive into the turbulent world of one of the Old Testament prophets—a world not that different from ours today. You’ll discover how Hababkkuk pushed forward to choose trust and find joy despite the violence that ruled his homeland. With a conversational tone, guiding questions, and Jean’s three-step transformational Bible study method, Jean Wilund makes relevant connections to our life and times. Whether studying alone or with a group, you will experience the same powerful, life-altering truths that changed Habakkuk’s perspective long ago.
UPDATE. DRAWING is now closed. You can enter the drawing to win a copy of Embracing Joy by reading this post and following the directions at the end of the post. UPDATE! JEANETTA IS THE WINNER OF THE RANDOM DRAWING. Congratulations, Jeanetta.
Here’s an excerpt from her book to inspire you and motivate you to benefit from this Bible study book.
When Circumstances Seem Like Monsters
by Jean Wilund
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”—John 8:32
I have one brother, and he’s a good one—except maybe on that day when I was eight years old.
Thirteen-year-old Rob thundered up our staircase doing his best impression of a monster. I beat him to my room, slammed and locked the door behind me, and cowered in the corner.
His ominous footsteps overwhelmed the truth I knew about him. He’s not a monster. He’s not a monster. The worst Rob would do if he broke through the door was tickle me, but fear had won the moment as I succumbed to my imagination.
Trust the Truth
Habakkuk’s fears weren’t rooted in imagination but in God’s word to him. Real danger would soon bust down Judah’s doors. If the Lord didn’t restrain Babylon, they’d all die at the end of a sword, spear, or whatever weapon they’d wield. Babylonian war plans did not include tickling. And so Habakkuk prayed and did the one thing that makes all the difference when we face a trial. He fixed his mind on truth.
Habakkuk looked upward beyond his fears and reminded himself of what he knew to be true about God’s unchanging nature. Trusting the truth disarms our fears and puts them in their proper place–under God’s feet.
Truth Controls the Monsters
When my brother thundered up the stairs, I overreacted because I imagined he was a monster. Once I acknowledged the truth, the truth controlled the monster, which was my fear, not my brother. I stopped being afraid, and he went back downstairs.
Unlike me, God never overreacts or thinks irrationally. He doesn’t have mood swings–or moods. In fact, He doesn’t have reactions. He responds.
He knew everything we’d ever do before we were born. He responds to our actions out of His omniscience and wisdom. This should comfort us when trouble comes. God already knew it was coming. He set His purposes for it in eternity.
When Judah received the news about their monster, Babylon, terror was a reasonable response. Since Judah had refused to fear God, God would cause them to fear Babylon.
For hundreds of years, Judah had known God’s promises of blessings and curses. They can’t cry, “Wait, what?” They rejected the truth they knew and imagined they could keep living the lie that God would never hold them accountable to their sin.
But God and His promises never change. He’s Yahweh Elohim, the supreme God who made an everlasting covenant with Judah. He would forever be their God, but Judah needed judgment. At the appointed time, He’d restore them into His love and into their land. But first they needed Babylon.
God never allows trauma to touch us for no reason. But trauma is still terrifying. Truth puts our fears in their proper place, but we can only trust the truth we know.
The more we know the truth through God’s Word, the more our fears will fall under God’s control. The God who disciplines His children but will never leave or forsake us.
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”—Matthew 28:20
Transformational Truth: Truth puts our fears in their proper place, but we can only trust the truth we know.
Thank you, Jean, for sharing with us these significant, life-changing truths.
To enter the drawing make a comment on this blog post. Only USA addresses can win. Drawing will end on Tuesday evening, June 4, 2024.UPDATE! JEANETTA IS THE WINNER OF THE RANDOM DRAWING. Congratulations, Jeanetta.
Here are the links for buying this important book and for connecting with Jean.
Jean Wilund is the author of Embracing Joy: An 8-Week Transformational Bible Study of Habakkuk. She writes at JeanWilund.com and for Revive Our Hearts ministry to help lead women into a greater understanding of the Bible and a deeper relationship with God.
This sounds wonderful for me! I’m trying to strengthen my spiritual journey.
Hi Mya, I guarantee your spiritual journey will be strengthened and you will be blessed by Jean’s book. Thanks for entering the drawing.
Hey Mya! I’m so excited you entered! Writing this study certainly strengthened my spiritual journey. I know the truths God revealed through Habakkuk will do the same for you!
It is an awesome bible study. It can be reread many times to learn all the lessons presented! Loved it.
Hi Deb, thanks for sharing with Mya. I’m not sure whether you were wanting to enter the drawing, but I’ll put your name in and you can tell me to withdraw it if that’s your preference. Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you so much, Deb, for your encouraging words. This was my prayer every day as I wrote the study. Many prayed for it that God would use Embracing Joy to faithfully lead us to the Truths God gave Habakkuk that transformed the prophet’s faith, encouraged Judah, and ultimately strengthens all believers throughout the ages. Thank you!
I cannot wait to get my hands on this book!
Hi Kimberly, I’m so glad you’ve entered the drawing and have an interest in Jean’s wonderful book. I know you’ll be blessed.
Kimberly! I cannot wait for you to get your hands on this book, either! I pray it will increase your abiding joy even greater!! Thank you for entering!
How true it is that often the monster in our imaginations is worse than the reality; however, for Judah the threat was truly real.
I look forward to reading more insights from this book about Habakkuk.
Jeanetta, so true! Thank you for commenting and entering the drawing.
Jeannetta! Whenever I think of what Judah had to face my heart sinks. I’m so thankful my imagination creates worse troubles than I’m really facing. And I’m even more thankful that if/when reality is worse than I imagined, God is greater than I realize. Thank you for your comment and for entering!
Jeanetta, Congratulations! You are the winner of the drawing! I’m so happy for you. I will connect you with Jean by email and you two can arrange getting her book. If you like to write reviews on Amazon and other online sites, Jean and I would really appreciate your review about her book. Those reviews really are valuable for alerting others to great books. Thank you for participating in the drawing. God bless you.
Congratulations! I’m excited to send you the book. I look forward to connecting with you!!
We’re looking to start a new women’s bible study in our church. This book looks good!
MaryAnn, I can highly recommend this study book for your women. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
MaryAnne! I’m so excited you entered. I wanted to let you know, too, that I’ve been able to meet several of the Bible studies over Zoom for a wonderful time of discussion. I’m also happy to answer any of your questions about it as a group study. I included Group Discussion Questions at the end of each week. Thanks for entering!!
I appreciate Jean and her heart for God’s Word. Looking forward to many more books by one of my favorite authors.
Thank you for your affirming words of Jean. I agree with you! I value her godly work. Thank you for entering the drawing.
Krystal!! What a blessing you are!!! I’m so excited you entered. I appreciate your heart for God’s Word!! And your sweet encouragement!
Thank you for your insights, looking forward to this read.
Thanks for entering the drawing, Holly. You are right. This book is full of insights.
Thank you for entering, Holly! My prayer for Embracing Joy is that it will lead many to discover what Habakkuk knew—we can have abiding joy no matter what we face. I’m thankful Habakkuk taught us how! I pray this study blesses you!
Jean is an amazing author and woman of God! This study focuses on God’s Word and how we can glean every morsel from it!
Thanks for the book drawing!
Kimberly, of course I’m not surprised by your appreciation of Jean and her skillful biblical writing. Thank you for the endorsement. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
Kim!! What kind words—which I could repeat back to you! I’m so excited you entered, and I’m so grateful for your faithful ministry to God’s kingdom! I love serving beside you.
I just got my book. Would love to win one to give away in our womens ministry.
Debbie, I’m so glad you want to share Jean’s great book. And I know you’ll love working through it. I’ve entered you into the drawing.
Debbie, I’m thrilled and grateful you got Embracing Joy and entered for a copy to give away. I pray God’s Word through Habakkuk will fill your heart with His unfailing joy!!
I’m going through so much right now I’m about to break. My emotions are always 50x’s more intense than others.
My husband may have colon cancer, I may have an autoimmune disease, and finances are coming undone, during these health issues. We both love God dearly, but we’re numb, hurting and overwhelmed. I want to trust God with all that I am. And tell my “feelings” to take a hike, bc God’s faithful.
Lisa, Thank you for sharing this very difficult journey. All those who read your comment will be praying for you and I hope you have many who are supporting you. Please know I’m praying and hugging you virtually. I’ve put your name into the drawing and I know the Lord will provide everything you need to sustain you.
Lisa, my heart breaks for you and your husband. You’re facing so much, and only God can see around the corner. Just trust God for the strength for the next step and continue to fall into His strong arms. I’m praying for you both that God will show You His kind hand in numerous ways so your eyes will see what you know to be true from Scripture—He loves you and will never fail you. He often takes us places we don’t want to go, but never alone. He is with you both. Father, provide for Your dear children out of Your abundance!! Thank you for sharing with us so we can pray!!
“Truth puts our fears in their proper place, but we can only trust the truth we know.“
Yes! When I remember the truth about God and His perfect love, my fears ease.
Cheryl, I agree that that quote from Jean’s book is stunning and multi-faceted in helping us focus on truth. Thanks for affirming that. I’ve put your name into the drawing.
Cheryl!! Amen! May we keep the truth about God and His perfect love always before us. Thank you!!