It’s my pleasure to feature a new acquaintance, Author Tiffany Colter, who is a multi-faceted Christian woman. Here’s Tiffany:

“I am thrilled that Lyn gave me the opportunity to share my family’s testimony. Over the last five years our family has gone through the greatest trials I’ve ever experienced in my life. Beginning in 2004 when we began the process to adopt a special needs child, then to my husband’s cancer diagnosis, job loss and subsequent financial mess [that left us 10 days from foreclosure] we have had to trust God daily for His help and provision.

I was asked to share my testimony in June with my church you can see it here– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXkBbvl-0bc

As I said in this video, when we are going through difficult times it can be hard to see God using it. So many times as I watched our finances fall apart, my husband battle for his life and my own emotions fraying at the ends, I wondered how God could get glory through this.

Who would want to be a Christian when my family was going through so much? I dare say many Christians are experiencing this right now. They want to know why they suffer and how to stop the pain. They see people who skip church prospering while friends in their congregation are losing everything. It is at the moments when we don’t know the answers that we must hold firmer to the promises. We must look inward to find the parts of us that need to be removed and we must thank God for His promise of provision.

If you look in Joshua the Israelites praised God FOR the promise land BEFORE they entered it-not after. We have to praise Him because we believe His word, not because we have everything figured out. True strength comes from confidence in who you are and where you’re going. That confidence only comes from God. Finally, find a way to focus on others. I enjoyed giving to others even when I had nothing. I gave my time. I gave my encouragement.

Today I share tips from those dark days at www.TheBalancedLife.com We began suffering the recession more than 5 years before the rest of the country but that positions us to sympathize with those who hurt and to give practical advice to those who need it. That is what God wants us to do with the tough times-turn them around to be a blessing for others.”

Tiffany Colter is a writer, speaker and writing career coach who works with beginner to published writers. She can be reached through her website at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Common-sense money management is free at www.TheBalancedLife.com
Read Tiffany’s award winning manuscript “A Face in the Shadow” at http://tiffanycolter.blogspot.com
She writes a blog for the Christian writer Tuesdays at Writer’s Rest. http://writersrest.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for your story, Tiffany. It’s obvious that God has given you the strength you needed when you needed it.–Lyn