Transformation Happens During Renovation

Transformation Happens During Renovation

The Bathesheba Battle helps women find

hope in the unexpected and unplanned

When you hear the name, Bathsheba, what is the first thing that comes to mind—vixen or victim? Bathsheba, typically misrepresented as an adulteress, is one of the most misunderstood women in the Bible. Despite an unexpected turn in her life, which resulted in tragic circumstances beyond her control, there are glimmers of hope in her story. In The Bathsheba Battle: Finding Hope When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn, Natalie Chambers Snapp leads readers through an exploration of Bathsheba’s story, providing practical insights for the journey to wholeness after life has taken an unplanned twist.

Who hasn’t had their lives turned upside down when things haven’t gone as planned? We understand there are consequences to our decisions, but how do we deal with the aftereffects of the choices of others? There are other times when things happen beyond anyone’s control. Circumstances can leave us feeling hurt and stuck, but God promises healing and hope for all.

The story of Bathsheba may seem like an unlikely source of inspiration, but Snapp explains, “Bathsheba is often portrayed as the adulteress—as though she was a vixen with the intent to tempt David and hopefully, take her on as his wife. However, the fact remains that she was a victim of David’s own desires and paid a very dear price for his sin.”

While some commentaries claim Bathsheba was trying to entice David by bathing in the courtyard of her home, there is no evidence to prove she was doing anything more than obeying a required cleansing ritual or that she knew David was watching. Summoned to the king, Snapp writes there is also no way of definitively knowing if David assaulted her or if she was a willing participant of an affair. From there, she becomes pregnant and her husband is killed so that no one will find out about David’s sin. The restitution of David’s sins was the life of the child Bathsheba gave birth to. A chain reaction of events took place that were beyond Bathsheba’s control.

Rather than living as victims of circumstances, Snapp helps women find healing from their own painful pasts and hope for living the free and full lives God intends. Pain and suffering are cyclical on this side of heaven. However, transformation happens during renovation, and renovation happens when walking through the valley, not while on the mountaintops. Snapp shares how the thief wants Christians to stay confused, bitter, angry, and resentful, because he knows if we emerge from our valleys victorious, then God will be glorified.

Through seeing similarities between their life and Bathsheba’s, readers will see that her suffering renovated her into a woman of confidence, wisdom, and love. Chapters address topics such as:

• Choosing how we respond to our situation
• Turning away from shame, anger, comparison and fear
• Understanding trauma and its effects
• Forgiving others and self

“The Bathsheba Battle is written for anyone who has ever asked the question, ‘Why me, Lord? Why do I have to suffer through this?’ It’s written for anyone whose life has not turned out the way they had planned. And it’s written for those who want to learn how to embrace suffering and humble themselves to the trying, but beautiful, reconstruction of it all. I intended this book to be used as a great encouragement – Bathsheba is an inspiration! Her deconstruction led to a very inspiring reconstruction!”

The Bathsheba Battle: Finding Hope When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn

By Natalie Chambers Snapp

Paperback ISBN: 9781501890802 / $16.99

eBook ISBN: 9781501890819 / $16.99

Available September 17, 2019 from Abingdon Press

About the author

Natalie Chambers Snapp is an author, blogger, and speaker known for her refreshing authenticity and practical approach to life and God’s Word. Not choosing to follow Jesus until the age of twenty-seven, she is passionate about sharing the grace, mercy, and truth of God’s love with others “regardless of your track record.” Her transparency and humor endear her to women of all ages.

Snapp is the author of the book Heart Sisters: Be the Friend You Want to Have, Becoming Heart Sisters: A Bible Study on Authentic Friendships and The Bathsheba Battle: Finding Hope When Life Takes an Unexpected Turn. She has written for various blogs and online devotionals, including Proverbs 31.

Snapp lives in the West Lafayette, Indiana with her husband and their three children.

Learn more at nataliesnapp.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@AuthorNatalieSnapp), Twitter (@nataliesnapp) and Instagram (@nataliesnapp).