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Today on the Walk It Out Podcast we learn from Janine Urbaniak Reid what happens when we can no longer pretend that the ground underfoot is bedrock and the sky above is predictable. Join us in finding the Opposite of Certainty.

The Opposite of Certainty with Janine Urbaniak Reid

Twice in the last 24-hours, someone has quoted John 10:10 to me, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” In both of these cases, the story being shared was an “even though” one. I learned this phrase from my daughter’s counselor. The counselor taught her how to use it as a coping skill to help her find a sense of calm when she is anxious or angry. This is how my daughter would use it:

“Even though I’m upset at my parents right now, they do love me and they are telling me ‘no’ because they want what’s best for me.”

or

“Even though I feel alone right now … or I feel that God is not answering my prayers, I know He loves me and is with me.”

While my friends’ situations were completely different, both of their “Even Thoughs” could be summed up the same: “Even though everything in my life seemed to be going wrong a few years ago, I discovered I could turn to God … and in my heartache, my relationship with Him became stronger than ever.” That’s a big statement, isn’t it? Yet I’ve heard something similar over and over again. Why? Because even when life is really, really hard, God is always good. I’ve experienced that myself, and I’ve listened as others have shared this same truth.

In today’s podcast, I’m chatting with a woman who faced one of the hardest things any mother can imagine facing: In the midst of her basically normal and pretty happy life, Jananie Urbaniack Reid‘s 8-year-old son, Mason, was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor.

Her book The Opposite of Certainty describes how her family’s very common and orderly life was turned upside down, as they sought medical intervention to save Mason’s life. The good news is that today, even though Mason has many challenges, over a decade later he’s still around and still fighting.

And more good news is that when Janine lost certainty and control over every area of her life, she found God there.

When she felt more alone and fearful than she’d ever been, she drew close to God and discovered the strength, peace, and hope she didn’t know existed. Janine found abundant life within her, even as she sat next to her son’s hospital bed. (And my eyes are tearing up at the thought of that!)

“My answer to the chaos in this world was to try to control everything,” Janine says. “I tried to do everything right so my kids would never be hurt, scared or scarred. When my young son was diagnosed with a brain tumor, I was forced to learn how to live in a world of uncertainty, to find a source of strength that could hold it all, a no-matter-what-faith that no platitude could touch.”

Do you want life abundantly? I have good news for you. Abundant life is available no matter what your life circumstance. Abundant life is found in one place: Jesus—and He’s available to you now, exactly where you are. I know you will find hope in today’s podcast!

Who is Janine Uraniak Reid?

Janine Urbaniak Reid was born in Chicago and grew up in California. She graduated from the University of California at San Diego. Before she began raising a family and then writing full time, she was vice president of a San Francisco public relations firm. Janine now lives in Northern California with her family and a motley assortment of pets.

You can order The Opposite of Certainty HERE.

About the Book:

What happens when we can no longer pretend that the ground underfoot is bedrock and the sky above predictable?

All Janine Urbaniak Reid ever wanted was for everyone she loved to be okay so she might relax and maybe be happy. Her life strategy was simple: do everything right. This included trying to be the perfect mother to her three kids so they would never experience the kind of pain she pretended not to feel growing up. What she didn’t expect was the chaos of an out-of-control life that begins when her young son’s hand begins to shake.

The Opposite of Certainty is the story of Janine’s reluctant journey beyond easy answers and platitudes. She searches for a source of strength bigger than her circumstances, only to have her circumstances become even thornier with her own crisis. Drawn deeply and against her will into herself, and into the eternal questions we all ask, she discovers hidden reserves of strength, humor, and a no-matter-what faith that looks nothing like she thought it would.

Beautifully written and deeply hopeful, Janine shows us how we can come through impossible times transformed and yet more ourselves than we’ve ever allowed ourselves to be.

Walk It Out Scripture

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

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Resources, books, and links mentioned in this episode:

• The Opposite of Certainty | Janine Urbaniak Reid
• How I Learned to Live a Life I Don’t Hate | Janine Urbaniak Reid

Connect with Janine Urbaniak Reid

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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