Bridging the Gap Between What We Know and Feel

2020 may have left you thinking, "Well, I know what I know about God, but I just don't feel it." It was a rough year for many of us, and for a lot of different reasons.

I have a friend who, while the rest of us were worried we might contract COVID, wondered if she'd survive her cancer diagnosis and treatments. I know multiple elderly people who were homebound during the prolonged lockdowns. Some of them so undone with the loneliness that they gave up the fight altogether. I've seen friends who have suffered great financial setbacks due to the pandemic. I'm sure you have as well. Maybe you're one of those people.

My friend, Patricia Holbrook, asks: "How can we navigate life’s trials and never lose sight of God’s faithfulness and goodness?" 

That's an excellent question!

Did you know that 12 inches is the actual distance between your brain and your heart? If you're like me, you possess a great deal of head knowledge about God.

I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home. I've been in a good Bible-believing, Bible-preaching, and teaching church practically every time the doors were open for worship since I was 6 weeks old. I was even privileged to attend a Christian school from kindergarten all the way to twelfth grade, although, at the time, I didn't recognize the privilege.

There have been countless mentors, preachers, Sunday school teachers, youth pastors, school teachers, camp counselors, and the like that have poured their lives into teaching me more about Jesus. 

I've studied God's Word—the Bible, from cover to cover, read it through, meditated on and memorized parts of it.

But is that enough?

Is it enough to possess all that head knowledge about God if it never makes it 12 inches down and becomes a heart knowledge? No! It's certainly not enough. And if that's all you've got friend, you too will soon find out, it's not enough!

That head knowledge is not going to get you into Heaven and it's not going to be enough when you receive that cancer diagnosis or when the lonely nights loom or when there's not enough money to pay the bills.

​You've got to have a heart knowledge of God as well.

Even when we do have that heart knowledge of God, that personal relationship with Him, what if we don't "feel' it? How do we bridge the gap between what we know about God and how we feel?

​So very often we, as women, allow our emotions to control us and our spiritual lives. If you're finding yourself in that season today, friend, you need to pick up Patricia Holbrook's book, Twelve Inches!

Twelve Inches is a biblically-tested and proven blueprint of how to live an abundant life in Christ regardless of your circumstance. And the best thing is that it's written by someone who has actually done that! Patricia has been through the trials of life! You'll love her writing style. She's transparent, candid, passionate, and honest.

Twelve Inches does not merely expose the problems without helping us find the solutions. This book is a step-by-step, Scripture-inspired plan for anyone who wants to live out the promises that God has laid down in His Word, regardless of life’s circumstances or personal limitations.

The ultimate objective of Twelve Inches is to take the reader from a life of little consequence for God’s Kingdom to one that shines brightly for Jesus in action, faith, and testimony.

​“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

"This verse prompted a revolution in my spiritual life. After being a Christian for several years, I was confronted with the truth about my spiritual life. While meditating on that verse, I realized my life was not spiritually abundant at all. What followed was a deliberate pursuit of the abundant life that Jesus promised His followers.

My story is similar to many other Christians’, who know what the Bible says about their God, but have a hard time applying His Truth to their lives. I realized that there were habits, attitudes and people in my life that were preventing me from fulfilling my full potential. These issues needed to be addressed if I were to achieve fulfillment in life." —Patricia

What People Are Saying About Twelve Inches

​“Although I’ve been a passionate follower and student of Jesus for over 35 years, I often find myself in the tension between what I say I believe and how I live. In Twelve Inches, Patricia Holbrook takes us on a journey to bridge that gap with deep faith. Step by step she walks us over the bridge toward a destination of abundant life in Jesus. I’ve finished Patricia’s book with my hands full of the tools I need to live a greater faith!” — Amy Carroll, Proverbs 31 Ministries Speaker & Writer

About the Author Patricia Holbrook

I had the privilege of enjoying lunch with Patricia, and her friend Stephanie, one afternoon and I can honestly tell you from personal experience, Patricia is as kind and personable as her photo looks! She writes from a heart of love to women just like you and me with a desire to help us grow closer to Jesus Christ through our daily walk with Him.

​Over on her blog, Soaring With Him, Patricia says she's an "ordinary Brazilian girl." But she's not. She's an extraordinary Brazilian girl! I could totally sit and listen to her beautiful accent all day long. Did I tell you she speaks? She does. If you're interested in having her speak at your church or ladies' event check this out.

Patricia has been writing since 2010. Besides her blog and speaking, she's also been published in magazines and writes a column for our hometown newspaper--The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

​She's an author, columnist, blogger, and speaker, but above all, she loves Jesus like we love Jesus, and she loves encouraging women like us to soar above our circumstances!

Patricia also hosts a weekly linkup. If you're interested, hop over to Recharge Wednesday and link up!

FOLLOW HER HERE
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Have you read Twelve Inches? I'd love to hear what you think.