I am Dr. Audrey David Heiser, a licensed psychologist in California, a certified IFS therapist, and I'm also an author. I publish regularly on crosswalk.com and have an advice column on ibelief.com. But more importantly than all of the above, I am a Christian. Here's why it will never change. From my mom's side, I am a fourth-generation believer, which means that from my earliest age, they have taught me the ways of the Lord. They told me to read my Bible and took me to church and Sunday school. And because I was an obedient kid, I did what my parents wanted me to do. But when I turned 18 and started my own life, I quickly discovered that it was hard to do that.
I stepped out of my parents' protection and realized that I had to find out for myself that I was a Christian. I had to find out for myself that I was a Christian. If the God they told me about is real. Now, decades later, I can tell you that not only is God real, but He is also a good God. I can't share all the hardships and trials, challenges and delays, and disappointments I have encountered. Each time I cried out for help, He always came through. Let me just zero in on one particular instance.
Several years ago, I felt this stirring in my heart, so I started taking a writing course. One thing led to another, and suddenly, I had this desire to write a book, which I believe the Lord put in there. Given what I know about the publishing industry, you must have a following to attract an agent. I did not have that many people on my email list. Yet, somehow, the Lord sent me a wonderful agent. Not too long after that, InterVarsity Press agreed to buy my manuscript. In 2025, my book on how internal family systems can help grieving people will be published by InterVarsity Press. It seems impossible because I don't have the kind of mailing list. I don't have a household name yet.
That is just one snippet of my story that tells me that God is the God of the impossible. I love what Matthew 9:29 says:
“Because of your faith, it will happen.”
I have learned that even though many things I see with my eyes can discourage me, that's not how it works. I built my life on his written word, which never fails.
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