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4.0 out of 5 stars
A Woman Called Job - Review by Devalyn M. Kirkman, Book Reviewer for [..], May 5, 2006
This review is from: A Woman Called Job (Paperback)
A Woman Called Job
by LaDena Renwick-Tilley with Jacquelin Thomas
Published by iUniverse
ISBN # 0-595-38196-0
73 pages - $10.95
The book of Job-one of the bible's most illustrative stories-is about a man of God who is tested and tried by Satan beyond human comprehension. His life is indicative of many elements including wealth, happiness, stability, loss, loneliness, uncertainty and triumph. The things that happen to Job eventually cause him to question his relationship (though not his faith) with God. In the end, as most of us know, Job regains his life and lives out his latter days better than his former.
Now, we've often heard the quintessential phrase, "You have the patience of Job." But do we really understand where his patience derived from or what it actually took, from a modern, humanistic view, for this man to endure his many hardships and still obtain the "double portion" life that he enjoyed by the end of this historic book of the bible?
In A Woman Called Job, LaDena R. Tilley, with the help of award-winning novelist Jacquelin Thomas, provides insight into these questions by openly and descriptively sharing with us her diary of Job-like experiences. Just as the biblical icon, her life was going well until she suddenly began to experience a series of satanic attacks which eventually led her to a place of devastation. She even, at one point, considered death as her only hope. Amazingly though, just as Job (and to Satan's dismay), her spiritual health got stronger with each test and eventually ushered her into a new state of being.
Her first and most trying test was a physical condition called pustular psoriasis which bore a striking resemblance to the affliction that Job suffered. What started out as just a small rash, ended up leaving LaDena in constant, severe pain with skin literally falling from her body from head to toe. Initially, doctors were clueless as to a cause or cure. And, once she was diagnosed, she had to endure ongoing, painstaking treatments and consequently was unable to support herself physically or financially. It was the love of God and supportive family and friends that comforted her.
After enduring what seemed to be an eternity and overcoming this rare form of psoriasis, she was soon after diagnosed with breast cancer at the uncommon age of thirty and was simultaneously treated for what was thought to be a brain aneurysm. Needless to say, by the grace of God and a constant confession of divine healing, she beat the cancer and no traces of abnormal brain activity were ever found.
LaDena could have easily succumbed to the hopelessness of her situation. Many times during the course of her attack, she was overcome by the combination of pain, helplessness, lack of mobility and feelings of low self-worth. As a result, her judgment was often clouded and her logical thought process askew. It was only at the point when, literally, all she could do was lie on her back and pray and confess God's word, that she began to strengthen and regain momentum. The end result of all of her pain, suffering and loss was phenomenal. Supernatural favor and restoration followed her not only in the form of a healed, restored body (inside & out) but also through the revelation of her life's calling, met with opportunities to help others, by virtue of her testimony. She also received financial blessings in the form of money, trips, etc., and a God-sent husband and soul mate.
Though, A Woman Called Job, is a small book, it is "novel-like," full of learned and practical wisdom. The author touches on many aspects of Christianity including healing, sin, relationships, family, trust, humility and loyalty. She even adds simple prayers at the end of each chapter which reinforce the principles taught and helps the reader along their path of discovering a deeper relationship with God.
Assuredly, the most poignant point that this book makes is how faith in God will get us through any "Job-experience." Just as in the case of Job, Satan will launch his attacks but we are always under God's divine protection as long as we don't give up. Through all of the doubts, fears, unanswered questions and even "nay-sayers," we must stand on God's promises no matter what. Just as iron in the fire, we are always destined to come out as pure gold.
Reviewed by Devalyn M. Kirkman,
WeAreFearless.com Book Reviewer
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