Christine Caine - Unexpected: Leave Fear Behind, Move Forward in Faith, Embrace the Adventure

CONTENTS

When unexpected circumstances shake us to the core, its only natural to feel afraid and uncertain. But what if we could learn to trade our fear for the certainty that Gods plans are good? Im so thankful my friend Christine wrote this perspective-changing message. I love the calm reassurances and biblical truth Unexpected speaks to my soul.

Lysa TerKeurst,New York Times bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31 Ministries

Christine Caine is an undeniably anointed voice for our times and her words ignite an uncommon clarity. Consider these pages octane for the soul.

Ann Voskamp,New York Times bestselling author of The Broken Way and One Thousand Gifts

Fear is the silent enemy that keeps us from reaching our God-given potential. Christine is a pro at helping readers defeat fear by arming them with Gods truth.

Mark Batterson,New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker, lead pastor of National Community Church

With Chriss wisdom, transparency, and anointing you will be prepped and propelled to become a force planted in the truth of who God knows you are.

Sarah Jakes Roberts, author, speaker, co-pastor of The Potters house LA & Denver

Bobbie and I have watched Christines journey from the day she received Christ at Hillsong Church in the early 1990s to the life she and her family lead today. We have seen her unswerving approach to navigating lifes various unexpected events, and how she has remained full of faith and passion, even in the wake of difficulty.

Brian Houston, pastor of Hillsong Church

If you have ever found yourself asking God, Why? grab this book and open your heart to discover truth that will give you hope.

Craig Groeschel, pastor of Life.Church, New York Times bestselling author of Hope in the Dark Believing God Is Good When Life Is Not

We all have a little control freak in us. In Unexpected, Christine masterfully helps readers give the reins over to God, unleashing their potential by helping them embrace the unexpected. If you fear change in the slightest, you need this book.

John C. Maxwell, bestselling author, coach, and speaker

I love the profound truths within the pages of this book. Chris shares how God can move in the unexpected moments of life in such a way that leaves you encouraged, loved, and full of faith.

Kari Jobe Carnes, worship leader, songwriter

I affectionately refer to my dear friend Christine as the Hurry-Caineshes quick and unpredictable. In Unexpected she shows us that while uncertainty may be in our future, fear doesnt have to be our forecast.

Steven Furtick, pastor, Elevation Church and New York Times bestselling author

Unexpected is a field guide to silencing the voices of fear, disappointment, and insecurity that hold us back from living the full and free lives God intends for us. Grab two for yourself, and fifteen for your friends... this is a must-read!

Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church and founder of Passion Conferences

When I first heard Christine Caine preach, she did so sitting on a motorbike in the middle of the stage. It was unexpected! Unexpected is Christine Caine at her very best, written with great vulnerability. It is biblically based, beautifully illustrated, and hugely relevant to all our lives.

Rev. Nicky Gumbel, vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton

Christine doesnt simply write about conquering the fear of unexpected heartbreak and hardship, shes a doggone gospel gladiator waving the sword of truth as she charges into scary territory!

Lisa Harper, bestselling author and Bible teacher

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Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.

EPHESIANS 3:20 (ESV)

True stability results when presumed order and presumed disorder are balanced. A truly stable system expects the unexpected, is prepared to be disrupted, waits to be transformed.

TOM ROBBINS

C hris, you have cancer.

Not quite the words I was expecting to hear as I was unpacking, having arrived in Sydney just two hours earlier. Nick and I, along with our girls, Catherine and Sophia, were in town to attend the annual weeklong worship conference at Hillsong Churchalways the highlight of our year, where we came to be refreshed and receive direction from God. It was my twenty-fifth year to attend, and I felt such a sense of expectancy. I knew God had something significant for me.

We had flown fourteen hours from LA where we had moved five years before in order to expand the work of A21, our global anti-trafficking organization. We loved living in the US, and we loved coming home.

As I listened to my doctor calling from the US, time seemed to stand still, as though it was giving my mind a chance to catch up to what I was hearing. I looked out the window past the boats sailing in Darling Harbour and focused on the Anzac Bridge. So much had happened in a weeks time.

Just the Wednesday before, I had been in Dallas filming a live TV special about overcoming the pain of the past and moving into ones future. I love seeing people set free from the bondage and strongholds that keep them enslaved to the pain of their past. Ive never lost touch with how Jesus set me free, and I have spent three decades helping others find that same freedom. God had always been faithful to use his Word to heal before, and he had been faithful again. I was blessed to hear about the number of people who responded to the teaching, calling in for prayer and support that night after the show.

Saying goodbye to the crew and thanking them for their part in so many lives being touched, I noticed that my throat was sore and that I sounded hoarsebut I didnt think too much about it as I headed to my hotel. After all, I had talked all day. And most of the evening. I talk for a living. I talk for pleasure. I talk to sort things out in my head. Im Greekand a woman. Talking is part of my DNA. In short, I never stop talking. So I logically chalked up my sore throat to that days enthusiasm and looked forward to a good nights sleep.

But when I woke up Thursday morning, I could barely lift my head off the pillow. My head hurt so badly and I was so sicksomething I rarely experience. As I became more awake, I knew that this wasnt normal. I could feel something hanging down the back of my throat on the left side. I could feel a tiny lump on the right. And I had this uneasy feeling that something was wrong, very wrong.

I called Nick, who was on the other side of the world in Madagascar on a mission trip, to tell him my concerns. After listening to me describe my symptoms, he prayed for me and reassured me that it would all be okay and that hed be home in just a few days. Then, I headed back to LA to speak at a churchs womens conference and their weekend services.

GOD WAS WITH ME

I know the grace of God carried me through Saturday and Sunday as Id never felt that ill in all my years of ministry. When Nick got home on Sunday afternoon, I was so relieved. I knew I needed to see a doctor, but because Id never needed one in the five years that Id lived in the States, we didnt know who to call. As evening approached, we discussed our options: waiting to see my physician in Australia, since we were heading there the next week, or going to an urgent care center that night. We decided first to go for a walk to talk further and pray. We needed clear direction.