Wednesday I shared about my challenge of an empty tank after one year in the writing race. I asked God to show me if I was travelling in the right direction when I attended the ICWC last weekend…
God was faithful to answer my prayers for help and direction by a few divine connections. But the most exciting event of the weekend was when He spoke to me early Saturday morning as I poured my empty soul out to Him in my prayer journal. His words were short but clear, as usual: “You are trying too hard. You cannot force grace; it flows from My heart. It isn’t wrenched out by effort on your part. You can’t fill yourself or grow yourself up.”
Oh. I knew that. Then how did I forget so soon? I had allowed that pesky demon, fear into my life. Fear that I wasn’t good enough caused me to panic, blocking the flow of creativity. Fear that if I didn’t blog and post on Face Book a certain amount of time per day, no one would follow my blog, then I’d be a nobody from nowherseville, and no one would be willing to publish me, blah, blah, blah… Have you been there?
I’m happy to report: I'm still in the race. Not becuase I'm a better writer than anyone else out there, but because I made a decision to get rid of fear. I purposed in my heart to allow God’s grace to flow into my tank, filling me up with Him instead of trying to run this race myself. As I said on Monday, it's not about me. It's this gift He's given me, buring a hole in my heart, compelling me to tell everyone I can how exquisite this God is that I serve.
What about you? How do fears paralyze you, hindering you from being and doing all God has called you to? I will stand with you in prayer in this fight against the enemy of our souls and destroyer of our dreams. We are a threat to Satan because we carry the words of life to a dark world.
My word to you today is: You can do this. You can be a writer, or whatever else the Lord has put in your heart. God is on your side. He believes in you and so do I.
Ladies and Gentlemen, start your computers...
Fear can be so paralyzing! And what a shame that we let Satan in like that to destroy God-given talent! God is the one who spurs us on and gives us what we need, when we need it. May God keep us focused on Him so we can do His will in all areas of our lives...including writing! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are such an encourager!!!!
I needed to hear this today, Jen! I'm a little fearful as of late...feeling very uncertain about this WIP I'm writing. I always get this way when I write the rough draft.
ReplyDeleteI try to force grace out of God quite often. I try to force it into my writing. Thanks for reminding me that that's not how God works.
Blessings!
Katie
Love it! And don't think it gets easier when you get published! No!
ReplyDeleteStart-up problems change to cranky engine, choppy shifter, too-loud muffler.
Hey, this is such a GREAT blog, and I'm a newbie blogger. Would LOVE to have your support AND COMMENTS at www.pattilacy.com/blog. And I'll try to visit YOUR blog as I figure out this thing.
Patti
P.S. If I can be half as inspirational as Jeanette, I will get on my knees and shout Halleluia!!!!!!!!!!!
Well...glad you are hanging in there. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteI'm out of gas with a blown engine! Thanks for your prayers!
ReplyDeleteFear is such a paralyzer in any part of our lives. I'm glad you're still going!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think I'm my own worst enemy, because the voices in my head know exactly where to get me and when. But I believe God has given me certain stories that I alone can tell and that he has given me an ability to tell Him. So I really try to walk--and live and write--by faith.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Jeanette, it's so easy for us to rank our writing by publication or even interest from others, when what God is likely trying to teach us is to just write for Him. Take the earthly goals out of it, and use your writing gift to build a deeper relationship with Him, instead.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to do just that, but when the bills start adding up, and knowing that I could possibly find a paying job right now to help out, the questioning haunts me. I know I wouldn't be able to write if I worked, there just isn't the time with the amount of sleep my body requires and my family responsibilities. So, do I sit and write on for Him, watching the debt grow, and trusting He'll provide, or is it time I started contributing financially again to this family? The earthly me is battling the trust factor.
You bet you're in the race! I'm behind you in the pack - hoping you'll keep encouraging me to keep going! Someday maybe I'll catch up to you!
ReplyDeleteI get very discouraged, but I keep on with my writing, no matter what form it takes, because He has asked me to. I have to believe He has a reason for what He tells me to do. That is my courage in writing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and encouraging post! Fear is crippling and doesn't let you see and enjoy the purpose given to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to give the burden and fear you were carrying to God.
Hi Jen -
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouraging post.
From time to time, I get hit with this fear. It's easy to compare ourselves to other people, but we're told in scripture this is not wise.
My prayer is: Lord help me to keep focused on You.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Jeanette, I just felt like you would keep on "keeping on." The Lord has given you a great gift of writing and encouraging. I am so glad this is His will. ((Hugs))
ReplyDeleteJeanette:
ReplyDeleteWith our health issues coming to the forefront of our lives,I sometimes fear I am failing God. I DO want to find some outlets for my writing, but I fear the thought of NOT Measuring up to any.
Oh, I love it! God is exquisite. That's a perfect word.
ReplyDeleteThere are many fears that try to jump in and block my journey, mostly fears that I'll not make it to where I should be. But God is so faithful, he's with me even when the times get rough. I'm going to keep believing and write my heart out because I know I've been given this gift for a reason. Have a wonderful weekend!
Wow. I am overwhelmed with your love and support. You guys are the best fellow racers in the universe! No competition on our track; we're in this race to the finish line. For me that's obeying the Lord and a dark chocolate Dove bar.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed weekend,
Jen
Oh Jen, I know how you feel. I've been ugly lately. And blah. And feeling like "is it ever going to happen?" But--as you said, there's no need to feel any of these things with God in our life. Aren't we blessed?
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
I love you. You just filled my tank with God's loving grace. I needed it so. I wish I wasn't so busy, I would sit and write a thousand words in this comment. XOXO
ReplyDeleteWord Ver; blesmi
Yes Lord please!
Thank you. I had to struggle for awhile about cutting back my writing time because I need to work fulltime. But I know I will make those cuts other places online and write and God will be in control. I'm a writer but this needs to be done now:)
ReplyDeleteI can really relate to this post. I have been so unfocused for weeks. Worrying about the blogging (posting and reading and commenting) for the same reasons of name recognition, as well as facebook, twitter, writing, etc., that the most I am getting done is blogging and even that I am behind on. My writing has suffered and I almost have writer's block. I need to stop, breath and turn it over.
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