Flooded , livre ebook

Cover
Endorsements
“I deeply understand what it feels like when hard stretches of life come in like a flood and cover everything with uncertainty and painful disappointment. My dear friend Nicki understands this too, and that’s why she’s the right person to lead us with wisdom from His Word when we feel like we are drowning in doubt and getting dangerously close to walking away from faith. This is the book your heart needs right now. I truly love this message.”
Lysa TerKeurst, #1 New York Times bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries
“After reading Flooded , I placed this book at the edge of the bookshelf because I knew I would need its vulnerable wisdom again and again. Nicki takes a familiar story of obedience, in and out of the storm, and walks us through her own downpour. She has given us a map for navigating the roads when the rains begin to fall and do not seem to let up. Flooded reminds us chapter after chapter that God is with us and He is faithful.”
Jamie B. Golden, cohost of The Popcast and The Bible Binge
“We know what it feels like when life gets hard. Sometimes it gets there and it stays there. And yet, difficult days don’t have to define who you are when you are prepared for them. That’s what Nicki does here in the pages of Flooded . She gives you actual, practical steps to be ready for the seasons you didn’t see coming. There’s no easy way to tackle tough times, but if you’ll invest the time it takes to read Flooded , you won’t have to freak out when you’re facing a trial because this book will help prepare your mind and your heart for all that life throws at you.”
Clayton and Sharie King, authors, speakers, missionaries, pastors, parents
“For the brokenhearted woman who is weary from the nonstop waves of difficulty in her life, Nicki Koziarz has provided a practical roadmap for holding on to hope. In Flooded , Nicki will help you deal with doubt, build up your belief, and restore your soul with reminders that expectation and confidence in Christ are still possible during hard times. If you are in the middle of a storm, Nicki’s personal stories along with the truth of God’s Word will give you peace and remind you that even during seasons of rough water, God always offers a rainbow after the rain.”
Chrystal Evans Hurst, bestselling author and speaker
“Reading this book was like sitting around the table with an old friend. We laughed, cried, and shared like only friends do. Then, after I had been poured into, I left the table with a heart full of hope. It’s a powerful, life-changing read for anyone who has ever struggled to believe when life is hard.”
Susan Davidson, Flooded focus group participant
“This book is a must read! Nicki beautifully takes us on a journey that compels us to look at ourselves, our circumstances, and the God of the impossible, all through the eyes of Noah. I recommend this book because there isn’t another one on the market that captures the insight, perspective, and just plain honesty of saying yes to the impossible.”
Demetria Stallings, worship leader, speaker, and purpose coach
“I remember when Nicki first started brainstorming this project that had the biblical account of Noah at the center. I’ll be honest, I thought, Is there really anything more that can be learned from Noah?! What happened over the next few hours was life changing for me as Nicki presented an aspect of Noah I never considered. What Nicki has written throughout the pages of Flooded is not just brilliant theology, but theology that meets the heart of humanity in a profound way. This is theology at its very best! As you read Flooded you will find yourself on a walk with God and be met with an assuring reminder of God’s mercy and grace at the turn of each page.”
Joel Muddamalle, director of theological research, Proverbs 31 Ministries
“Through the account of Noah, Nicki challenges us to recognize how doubt and unbelief can creep into our souls. She then invites us into the process of change. If you have been held hostage by disbelief, doubt, or unbelief, or even wondered Why God? , this book will leave you hearing how God speaks hope into our circumstances, giving us something and Someone to hold on to.”
Sharee Gaiser, Flooded focus group participant, Australia
Half Title Page
Other Helpful, Inspiring Books from Nicki Koziarz

5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn’t Quit
A Woman Who Doesn’t Quit Bible Study
Why Her? 6 Truths We Need to Hear When Measuring Up Leaves Us Falling Behind
Rachel & Leah Bible Study: What Two Sisters Teach Us about Combating Comparison
Flooded Study Guide: The 5 Best Decisions to Make When Life Is Hard and Doubt Is Rising
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2021 by Nicki Koziarz
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2021
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-3016-1
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2016
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Scripture quotations labeled CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Cover design by Kara Klotz and Alison Fargason
The author is represented by the Brock, Inc. Agency.
Dedication
To my husband, Kris. May we never stop believing God for the impossible.
Some Thank-Yous
K ris, thank you for helping me sort through the “committee” in my head while I wrote this book. You have no idea how much I’ve come to understand the last few years how well you balance me out. And to my girls, Taylor, Hope, and Kennedy. You are my greatest joy in life. Thank you for being kind to your momma through this book-writing process.
Meredith Brock, thank you for believing in me. Thank you for walking with me on this hard road to these pages in this book. Your support and your confidence in me make me feel like everything will be okay. I appreciate your wisdom, understanding, and brilliance on all.the.things.
Lysa TerKeurst, thank you for your wisdom and for pouring into of my life. This is something I never take for granted. Thank you for helping me be a better writer, and thank you for believing in me and this message.
David Abernathy, thank you for making sure this is all theologically sound. I’ve learned so much from you through this process, and I don’t take your input lightly. You have corrected me in the kindest ways when I’ve been wrong about a verse and helped me see things through a lens beyond my own understanding.
Krista, thank you for sitting with me on deck three and helping me find the gold in the text.
To my focus group, this book is better because of you. Thank you for your honesty, input, and encouragement.
Kristi D., Elle, Holly, and Kayley, thank you for being willing to always say yes to revival. May our generation never be the same because of our obedience as a team.
Jeff and Bethany team, thank you for being the kindest publishing team. I’m thankful for this opportunity to partner together.
Rebecca I., you saved the day. You are wise beyond your years and this book is better because of you.
Contents
Cover 1
Endorsements 2
Half Title Page 5
Other Helpful, Inspiring Books from Nicki Koziarz 6
Title Page 7
Copyright Page 8
Dedication 9
Some Thank-Yous 11
A Letter to Flooded Readers 15
Decision One: To Walk with God 19
1. The Mess of You 21
2. Disbelief to Unbelief 33
3. Walk the Line, Barefoot 43
Decision Two: To Listen to God 55
4. Listen Up 57
5. A Prayer of Belief 67
6. Pruning Doubt 79
Decision Three: To Rise Above the Doubt 91
7. Doubters Gonna Doubt 93
8. Please, God, No More Hard Things 105
9. Enough Is Enough 117
Decision Four: To Remember Who Is in Charge 129
10. What Goes Up Must Come Down 131
11. The Controlling Thing About Control 143
12. When God Calls You Forward 155
Decision Five: To Find the Familiar Faithfulness of God 165
13. God’s Familiar Faithfulness 167
14. Rainbows and Bad Days 179
15. The God We Want 191
Notes 197
About the Author 199
Back Ads 201
Back Cover 202
A Letter to Flooded Readers
Hi.
Welcome to Flooded . The book that almost drowned me.
The night before I turned this book in to my publisher, I cried myself to sleep for the first time in years. Not because I was sad, grieved, or upset about this book. But because this has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done professionally. I wrote these words through the suicide of my brother, a worldwide pandemic, a national race crisis, plus a dozen other hard, personal things.
My head has felt anything but clear through this process. The craziest distractions met me every time I sat down at this keyboard to type, and doubt has lingered aga