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.
~~~~~
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.