Table Of Content© 2016 by Lina AbuJamra
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516–6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2016
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 978-1-4934-0492-6
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: 2011
Scripture quotations labeled AMP are from the Amplified® Bible, copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964,
1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations labeled Message are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright © 1993,
1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
Published in association with the literary agency of Credo Communications, LLC, Grand Rapids, Michigan
49525; www.credocommunications.net.
“In a world that’s constantly trying to draw us away from God, Lina points us to the biblical truths we must
cling to and believe above all else. What a wonderful resource this book is!”
Lysa TerKeurst, New York Times bestselling author and president of Proverbs 31
Ministries
“Jesus told us to come and follow Him. He didn’t say it was going to be easy. To do it, we need resolve. I
love Lina, and I love this message that is sure to help us break away from a toe-deep, defeated faith to one
that rocks our world for Jesus.”
Christine Caine, author of Undaunted and cofounder of the A21 Campaign
“There are some people who write books that make you want to grab a Snuggie and cuddle. But Lina isn’t
one of those writers. She is skilled at drawing out the warrior in her readers and motivating them to be
resolved in following Jesus. In Resolved, she challenges us to make a decision and includes simple ways to
work out our commitment.”
Bianca Juarez Olthoff, preacher, teacher, and Chief Storyteller for A21
“Resolved is an immensely practical and helpful book. It addresses both the temptations we commonly face
and the biblical principles we need for courageous, uncompromising obedience. It teaches us to abandon
fear and live for the ultimate glory of the God who is resolved to love us. I’m glad to have read it and now
recommend it.”
Jen Pollock Michel, author of Teach Us to Want
“Cultural Christianity promises the ‘good life,’ but authentic Christian faith remembers the words of Jesus:
‘In this world you will have trouble.’ Dr. Lina AbuJamra challenges us to live out our faith in the real world
when things do not go as we wish. ‘Follow me’ is still the call of Christ. Anything less is not worthy of the
name Christian.”
Gary D. Chapman, PhD, author of The Five Love Languages and Love As a Way of Life
“Lina lives what she writes, and I’m grateful for her open heart and clear voice in the matter of us becoming
strong men and women of faith. Every push she gives throughout the book will bring glory to God and good
to our lives. I can’t imagine someone reading this and not being changed—for the better, for good.”
Annie F. Downs, author of Let’s All Be Brave
“Following Jesus seems like an intriguing invitation . . . until you hear Him say, ‘Take up my cross and
follow Me.’ It’s the challenging aspects of following Christ that seems so daunting and so hard to navigate,
and often end up derailing the most wonderful journey of life. Thanks to my friend Lina, we now have some
relevant and solid advice for how to follow Christ regardless.”
Dr. Joseph M. Stowell, president of Cornerstone University
“My dear friend Lina is brilliant, candid, engaging, and loves Jesus with obvious abandon—I like to think
of her as a modern-day chick version of the apostle Paul! She writes about our Creator-Redeemer with such
contagious passion and refreshing authenticity that you’re bound to see Him ‘bigger’ as a result!”
Lisa Harper, author and Bible teacher
“Resolved is spiritual medicine lovingly prescribed by a real-life ER doctor. Dr. Lina AbuJamra is a
pediatrician and Bible teacher who gives us chewable pills that taste like candy and who somehow makes us
laugh when it’s time for her to fill her syringe and give us a shot of truth that helps us, as believers, to get
well. She reminds us of what it means to be a Christian and she makes Bible stories super fun to hear. Every
chapter in this book needs to be shouted from the rooftops. If for no other reason, Christians should buy this
book just to memorize and apply its table of contents. It’s a book that makes you feel clean after you read
it.”
Sarah Sumner, PhD, MBA, founder of Right On Mission and author of Angry Like Jesus
“Resolved is precisely what you need from an ER doctor: a direct assessment and clear prescription for life
—and life in Jesus. It asks questions designed to provide healing solutions. It doesn’t mess around with
small talk but uses Scripture to make its life-giving point. Lina Abujamra takes a verbal scalpel to the root
of the things that infect and weaken our lives. She has the profound gift of combining a startling
vulnerability with eternal truth in succinct language. I was deeply moved and greatly helped!
Richard Foth, coauthor with Mark Batterson of A Trip Around the Sun: Turning Your
Everyday Life into the Adventure of a Lifetime
“Resolved applies Scripture practically and includes transparent experiences from Lina’s life, offering a
friend you can trust for the journey. I’ve always appreciated Lina’s earnest commitment to Christ and His
Word, so if you’re looking for solid, honest, biblically based encouragement, this book is for you.”
Kelly Minter, Bible teacher and author of What Love Is: A Study on 1, 2 & 3 John
“Lina AbuJamra mentors us through the deepest questions we face. Yes, we’ve absolutely discovered that
Jesus is the real deal. We’ve taken risks of faith and He’s come through for us. We’ve found a kind of
encouragement and joy we hadn’t known to look for. But now we’ve been at this for a while and that early
glow has faded. What does it look like, in the face of real disappointments, to follow that most profound
spiritual advice of all: Hang in there! Lina is the best type of coach, full of empathy and yet tough and
unyielding that our only path is forward.”
Dave Schmelzer, executive director of Blue Ocean Faith and author of Not the Religious
Type: Confessions of a Turncoat Atheist
“I’m impressed by Lina AbuJamra. I’m impressed by her energy and intelligence; I’m impressed by her
openness and authenticity. But most of all I’m impressed by the depth of her commitment to following
Jesus. This is what stands out in her wonderful book, Resolved. Drawing upon Scripture and her own
experience, Lina shows us what it looks like to be a serious disciple of Jesus in the twenty-first century. I’m
certain this book is going to help many others find new resolve to radically follow Jesus.”
Brian Zahnd, lead pastor of Word of Life Church, St. Joseph, Missouri, and author of A
Farewell to Mars
For Diana,
whose resolve to be like Jesus
continues to fuel my own.
Contents
Cover 1
Title Page 2
Copyright Page 3
Endorsements 4
Dedication 5
Acknowledgments 9
Introduction: It Starts Right Now 11
1. Believe When It Looks Ridiculous 19
2. Love When It’s Inconvenient 41
3. Obey When It’s Not Popular 67
4. Yield When It’s My Right 83
5. Speak Up When It’s Easier Not To 103
6. Give When I Barely Have Enough 121
7. Be in Community When I’d Rather Be Alone 141
8. Have Joy When Life Is Depressing 157
9. Hope When It Hurts Too Much 177
10. Rest in the Midst of Chaos 197
Conclusion: So Now What? 217
About the Author 221
Back Ads 222
Back Cover 224
Acknowledgments
Some books are easier to write than others. In this case, I know it’s only because
of the brilliant support of these folks:
Brian Thomasson, my editor at Baker Books. Thank you. You saw the
finished product before its inception and helped shape it into its present form. I
am so thankful for your vision and faith in me. Also, thanks to the entire team at
Baker Books who have worked so hard with me, especially Lindsey Spoolstra,
Ruth Anderson, and Hannah Brinks.
Special thanks to Tim Beals and the folks at Credo Communications, and to
Karen Campbell of Karen Campbell Media.
I continue to be deeply thankful for my team at Living with Power Ministries:
Bonnie, Tina, Nate, Diana, and Rafi. I am deeply thankful for your loyalty and
patience.
I am indebted to my Pediatric ER friends and colleagues. You guys make it
possible for me to fulfill God’s calling on my life. Thank you.
I am blown away by the kindness of brothers and sisters in Christ who still
read my blog and watch my Bible studies and send me emails telling me how
God is working in their lives. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without you.
Thanks to those who have trusted me to teach in their churches and colleges
and conferences and retreats. My life is fuller because of you.
Finally, thanks to my mom and dad, whose unconditional love allows me to
risk without fear of crashing. Thanks to Nick, Patricia, Maya, Leya, Fawzi,
Ramzi, and Rafi. Thanks to my own personal entourage and posse of personal
advisors: Diana, Ben, Micah, and Samuel.
I saved the best for last: Jesus. You’re the reason I do what I do. You’re the
One I worship and adore. May every breath that I take bring You praise. I’ll
never get over Your love for me. Thank You barely scratches the surface of what
I feel for You, but it’s a start.
Description:Ten Practical Resolutions to Stand Strong in the Shifting Sands of Culture We all faceseasons in our liveswhen our circumstances seem out of our control and all the forces in this world seem against us. We become discouraged and afraid. We are tempted to give up. No matter howstrong we claimour fait
