Monday, October 22, 2012

Writing to Overcome by Lisa Buffaloe

They say to "write what you know" and be vulnerable when you write. If we are transparent, our writing will pack an emotional punch. But writing from our pain is, well, painful. Here with some encouragement on this topic is courageous author, Lisa Buffaloe. See her bio for more information following the post. Read on! ~ Annette

Writing to Overcome
By Lisa Buffaloe

I never planned on talking, much less writing, about some of the things in my past. God gently prodded me forward through the writing of a fictional short story to give to a friend. Little did I know God had asked me to step back into my own past. Ignoring things had worked fine for me. But as the flood of memories returned, God revealed as long as I hid my past, I was actually hiding His healing power from others. 

If God calls you to write about a difficult moment in your past, don’t rush God. Don’t step ahead. If He isn’t opening doors, keep knocking, but don’t bring a battering ram. Even when we think we are healed and ready, God will continue working if we allow. There is much learning to be done before we are ready to step out to a world dealing with life’s evils. Only God knows when we are ready—spiritually, mentally, and physically—for publication. 

Stay close to God and allow Him to heal. As He heals, He will use you to point others to His healing. Please don’t use the Internet or an article to rant and rave about life’s difficulties. As Christians we are to bring hope. God brings hope, so make sure your stories bring His hope to a hurting world. 

The more you step into the writing world, be prepared for the enemy. Temptations and attacks will come. Don’t go into battle and into daily life without your spiritual armor. The places you think you are safest are your weakest points. Keep in prayer and keep your sword of the spirit drawn at all times. You don’t have to live in fear, just be prepared. Revelation 12:11 reminds us of the power of our testimonies. “And they have conquered him (the enemy) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”

Your testimony matters—for you and for others. Share what God has done in your life. Share in word and in writing, the hope and overcoming power found in our amazing God.


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LisaBuffaloe is writer, speaker, happily-married mom, and host for Living Joyfully Free Radio. Her past experiences—molestation by a baby-sitter, assault, rape by a doctor, divorce, being stalked, cancer, death of loved ones, seven surgeries, and eleven years of chronic illness from Lyme Disease—bless her with a backdrop to share about God’s unending love and that through Him we find healing, restoration, and renewal. She is the author of Prodigal Nights (2011 Women of Faith Writing Contest Finalist), Grace for the Char-Baked, Nadia's Hope, and a contributing author of TheOne Year Book of Joy and Laughter.



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