Real Life, Real Hope

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(Writer’s Note: During 43 years of writing and editing for American Family Association, I have reviewed countless Christian books – books on moral/cultural issues, Scriptural application, biographies, Christian history, novels, men’s devotionals, discipleship, and more.

But not women’s devotionals … until now. When I heard Angela Hyche Chambers share briefly at Southern Christian Writers Conference last month, I was eager to “hear” more. So I bought her book. My sense of her depth and transparency was right.)

In her devotional book Real Life, Real Hope, Angela Hyche Chambers digs deep into both – life and hope. In a collection of 30 daily readings, she reveals the heart of a lady who has a lot to share. She is candid and insightful as she writes about applying scriptural truths to her own personal faith-in-life struggles.

With a fully transparent delivery, her life becomes the springboard to help readers tackle issues that often plague the average Christ follower day by day. Furthermore, she offers tips for resolving any issue with steps that are anchored in God’s Word. The reader is motivated to grab onto hope and get back on track.

Sometimes a Chuckle

Some days her personal experiences may cause a chuckle – until God reminds us of our own sins. For example, Day 7 focuses on pride. At one point, she was earning her living by cleaning houses. She confesses: “It was not a job I wanted to do, but here I was. … I was single and needed a job quickly.”

One day, a child in the home where she was at work referred to her as their maid. “… [T]hat did not sit well with me,” Chambers grumbles. “I kept asking over and over in my head: ‘Am I a MAID?’ I did not want to be a maid!”

In the next paragraph, she admits she grew angry at God: “I stood up and shouted at the heavens: ‘Lord, do you see me down here!? What is going on?’”

Of course, He answered her angry outburst. And she confessed the sin by submitting to His Word in Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (ESV).

Each devo ends with a focus Scripture and an “In Your Journal” suggestion to help the reader apply that day’s truth to daily living and keep a journal. For example, Day 7 asks the reader to answer the question, “Have you ever had a difficult job from which you learned a lesson?” Then record personal responses in a journal.

On day 20, Chambers describes one of those days we all have sometimes: “I remember feeling frustrated …. I had a headache, my tennis elbow was hurting. I had let things get to me. I listened to the devil whisper in my ear that I was a failure.”

Who among us hasn’t been there?

Always to Christ

Fortunately, she went home that day, sat down on the front porch, and let the beautiful day calm her troubled soul. Then, “The first thing I did,” Chambers writes, “was to talk with my Jesus. I repented and told Him I was sorry for believing a lie.”

His Spirit assured her that she was still His child: “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:2 NIV).

For Day 20, “In Your Journal” suggests that the reader record personal thoughts on these questions: “Have you ever believed the lies of the enemy?” and “How did you overcome them?”

Real Life, Real Hope is a treasure for the Christian seeking a more intimate walk with Jesus.

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Having served in various church leadership positions, she is a seasoned speaker at churches and women’s events, Chambers is the founder of Restored Ministries (angelachambers.org). Her book is available through her website and online booksellers. Schedule her for speaking events, at www.womenspeakers.com.

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