A self-described grappler, struggler and questioner, Lisa Whittle never intended to live a life of public ministry. As the daughter of a pastor, Lisa dreamed of a journey less hard on the heart, lived outside a glass house. But God had other things in mind. After her husband lost his job and as 3 small children circled her feet, she found herself in desperate need of an outlet. It was then she began writing.
Lisa has gone on to author 3 books and contribute to publications such as Catalyst, Michael Hyatt, Relevant, The Deeper Story, Church Leaders, and (in)courage. She is a speaker and an advocate for Compassion International, and as the first female originally-launched Barnabooks author, Lisa is a starter of important conversations in the church. Many of those conversations start on her blog at LisaWhittle.com.
Lisa’s newly released book, {w}hole, shares her story and that of many others: holes to wholeness by the power of a gracious God. Lisa says, “{w}hole may be the most honest thing I’ve ever written. I don’t hold back…about anything.” It is available, now, wherever books are sold.
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I have spent much of my life running away from things that were hard.
I lived to keep busy — writing appointments on my calendar, barely scheduling time to breathe.
I shopped…for clothes that would dress my bones pretty, so I would feel better.
Sometimes I ate, and the food made me happy. The raucous party in my mouth was loud enough to temporarily muffle the growling of my empty soul.
It is the deep down truth I share with others: we all have holes. It is also our truth…that we try different ways to fill them.
But they exist. And in the most inconvenient times, in the most inconvenient places, they rise up…in our relationships, our fears, our doubts, our insecurities and even in our greatest moments of success that lead us to stumble over our own egos.
It is why we need God. It is how we journey, together.
“No matter how different our circumstances may be, we each live and lose and love and cry and work and let go and endure and break down and get back up. It is the universal tie that binds all of us together, and it matters deeply. I know that the fullness of how we love each other as human beings is in our understanding of how similar we really are, and how much we need each other to care. We truly were not meant to take this journey alone.” ~{w}hole
But even in our voids, we find great hope. Because holes are the very place that we can most find God.
Where our religion has let us down, our roles have not proven faithful, and our experiences have threatened to be our life definition, wellness can be breathed into the empty spaces of our life – a rich, full life that is not about what we do or what we have been taught or even lived through, but about what has happened between Jesus and us on the pages of our journey.
Where we have lacked and He has been enough. Where we have fallen and He has not faltered. Where we have holes and He has filled them.
Our story doesn’t not end with our holes. With Jesus, it is only our beginning.
Because when we are willing to look at those deep down places we discover truth. We feel community. We become brave. We find healing.
As the Jesus, who fills our soul with Himself…makes all things well.
To download a FREE chapter one of {w}hole, as well as a FREE downloadable guide about sharing your own story, visit the book site HERE. Watch the book trailer, read endorsements from Ann Voskamp and George Barna, and find out more about the book and where to get it.
Discussion questions available, as well, for group download.
Charina @ Pondered Thoughts says
Lisa, this is beautiful! Thank you for sharing…
All good things,
Charina
Lisa Whittle says
Thank you, Charina. Good God things back to you, my friend. 🙂
Amy McCollister says
“Where we have lacked and He has been enough. Where we have fallen and He has not faltered. Where we have holes and He has filled them.” —Oh how true this has been in my life. It makes me so relieved to know that our end is not one with holes, that because of His love and sacrifice I have been given the freedom to live wholly. Wholly in Him and for Him. What a comforting thought.
Lisa Whittle says
Hi, Amy. Thank you for your testimony, here. Thankful that Jesus does, indeed, fill our holes with Him.
Liz Gauthier says
You said it in a nutshell: “our relationships, our fears, our doubts, our insecurities and even in our greatest moments of success that lead us to stumble over our own egos.”
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” 2 Corinthians 4:6-8…. your holes remind me of all my cracks that I need to let God fill!
Lisa Whittle says
Liz…may your holes give you hope, as you seek Him to fill them. I journey with you, my friend.
Kristen Strong says
Triple hooray for Lisa’s words here at (in)courage! I especially love this: “Because when we are willing to look at those deep down places we discover truth. We feel community. We become brave. We find healing.” You remind me why it’s important {and healthy!} to dive deep into our holes: so we my become {w}hole. I’m thankful for your healing message here. Love you so much!
Lisa Whittle says
Love you back, Kristen. Oh, you are a light!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Thank you for sharing your words, your heart, and your holes with us, Lisa.
Kaye says
Lisa,
Thank you for your words – so much needed by me right now as my husband and I struggle with a big hole – the looming probable sale of our family home of 26 years to help pay our debts. We are in our 60s and retired and never in our wilest dreams expected to be in this position at this time of our lives.
We have caused the hole by being bad stewards and making reckless decisions, not reyling on God for guidance with our finances. Now, we are faced with the cosequences and know God is our only answer to make this hole, whole. Your books sounds great – i will download the first chapter, as books are not included in our budget which had been drawn up for us be a great Christian organisation started in England (we live in Australia despite my email address seeming otherwise), and now well established in Australia – Christians Against Poverty,who work with anybody who signs up with them, and helps them cope with the “Big Boys” in the Debt Collection business, taking a lot of the stress of those struggling. It’s very early days for us yet, buy praying God will keep nudging us on with Baby Steps to make the w(hole).
Sorry for the scroller!!!!
Kaye says
That should be wildest dreams – apologies fo rany other typos!!! lol
Lori Shultz says
Sounds like a great book. Please enter me for the giveaway. I think different life seasons produce different holes. My best testimonies have come from hard times when He filled me as learned to trust more, question less, and obey. The Christian life can be so freeing but we get in the way. Our doubts and the enemies voice cloud our vision, fog our focus, and prevent us from yoking ourselves to Him. Make God bless you Lisa as you illuminate the holes and open the discussion to provide healing, change, and a clear passage.
Brittni says
Reading the book!! Such truth!!:) blessings!!