Author: Brooke Martin
Located in: Zionsville
Submitted: December 06, 2024
Tell us a little about yourself. I'm originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. After spending 15 years as a news anchor, I transitioned into my current roles as a writer and speaker. I live in Zionsville, Indiana, with my husband and our two young children. We are active members of Antioch Indy Church, and I am passionate about encouraging others in their faith journey.
What was your motivation behind this project? The loss of our second child shortly after birth broke my heart and opened my eyes to the deep pain many people carry. Through that season, God transformed my lukewarm faith into a profound hunger for Him. One afternoon, while driving down the highway, I asked God for clarity on how I could help others who were walking through loss and suffering. He answered by giving me the illustration of a controlled burn. That moment sparked a journey of leaving my news career and seeking His direction for what was next. Eventually, this book was born out of that experience - a labor of love to bring hope and healing to others.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? My hope is to walk with others through the fires of life, guiding them on a journey of reflection, healing, and redemption. This journey begins by exploring our personal forests, uncovering who we are and who God is. It then leads through the flames, addressing hard questions like, "How can a good God allow this?" The book concludes with a redemptive view of a changed landscape - already sprouting new life. As the late Tim Keller said, "There is a purpose to suffering, and if faced rightly, it can drive us like a nail deep into the love of God and into more stability and spiritual power than you can imagine." My prayer is that readers will see their pain not as an out-of-control wildfire but as a controlled burn, contained by God's promises, provision, and power. Emerging from life's fires, we can become forged kingdom warriors, refined and ready for His purposes.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? The funny thing is, I never wanted to write a book. For me, this project was an act of obedience. Having never written a book before, I came into the process with preconceived ideas about what it would be like and what I should write. But I was deeply impacted by how much God directed every page and every idea. Time and again, He led me toward sharing "hard truths," even when I resisted, thinking readers who were suffering needed more of a comforting hug. Yet God consistently reminded me that truth is what ultimately leads to lasting comfort. Writing this book reinforced for me that when we surrender to God's call and obey, He provides abundantly in ways we could never imagine.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? My influences and sources of inspiration are a diverse group of thinkers, writers, and artists who have deeply shaped my faith and perspective. Tim Keller's profound wisdom on suffering and faith has been foundational. Peter Louis inspires me with his teaching on identity in Christ, and Stephanie Gretzinger's heartfelt worship draws me closer to God's presence. N.T. Wright and C.S. Lewis's timeless truths, and Ruth Haley Barton's guidance on spiritual formation have each played a vital role in the formation of this book.
Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: I want readers to know that this book is not just a story - it's an invitation. An invitation to step into their own journeys of healing, hope, and transformation. I want them to know that God sees them, loves them, and has a purpose for their pain. Writing this book was an act of obedience for me, and I believe reading it can be a step of faith for them. My prayer is that each person who opens its pages will walk away with a deeper understanding of God's unshakable love and His power to redeem even the hardest seasons of life. They're not alone in their fire, and there is hope on the other side.
