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| Christine Johnson |
When
you’re fighting roadblocks that continually get in your way, how do you handle
them? What do you do when your writing life feels out of control? Author Christine Johnson shares where
she goes for help. ~ Dawn
Battling
the Enemy
Maybe you’ve been there. Something big, something
earth-shattering sends your perfect writing schedule upside down. Suddenly that
story takes a backseat to the pain, sorrow, or worry crushing your day. Or
maybe it’s a small but nagging voice telling you that the story’s not good
enough or you’ll never get it done on time. What do you do?
Yes, I’ve been there. Illness knocked me down and then worry
spiraled out of control, only making everything worse. How can that be when I’m
writing for my Lord and Savior? When I’m bringing messages of hope through my
stories? Why now, Lord?
Like Job, like David, like so many in the Bible, I cried out
to the Lord. Tears fell, pleading began, and sleepless nights were spent
calling out to Him. Not now, Lord. Not now with deadlines looming and so much
to do.
Yet the Lord has a way of making us sit down and spend time
in His presence when we’ve been putting our emphasis on worldly things and
people. Yes, even good things, even ministry, can draw us away from God. Oh,
how He has shown me that.
In those dark moments, I have drawn on many sources to pull
me closer to God and farther from that dependence on worldly things.
- Bible studies have given me a wealth of strength to draw on.
- I wasn’t raised memorizing scripture, so I write key verses into a little notebook that I leave in my purse so it’s at hand whenever I need it.
- Some Bible studies include videos that are priceless nuggets of encouragement.
- Circles of Christian friends and prayer warriors are essential. They are a lifeline, and I thank God for bringing them into my life.
- Even though picking up the languishing story seems like the hardest thing to do, God reaches to me through the words. He is the Word, the Author of all. My attempts are pitifully weak but He somehow makes sense from the jumble in my head. Praise God!
Prosperity Jones, the heroine of my new book, Honor Redeemed, reaches that moment when
all she has ever known has been taken from her. A new story needs to be
written, and with the Lord’s help, beauty will be forged from ashes and joy
from mourning.
The same is true for you. From suffering comes great beauty
and joy. Just cling to Him. Hold tight and know that He is greater than any
pain or doubt.
Honor Redeemed
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| Honor Redeemed |
Two
years ago, Prosperity Jones waved farewell to her beloved David as the army
sent him to faraway Key West. Now with her parents gone, she has but one
prospect for the future: make the dangerous journey from Nantucket to Key West
to reunite with David and secure a happier life.
But
when Prosperity arrives penniless in the South, she is dismayed to find David
has not been eagerly awaiting their reunion. In fact, he is married to someone
else. Scrambling to survive and nursing a broken heart, Prosperity gains the
friendship—and the affection—of a kind doctor. Could he be the answer to her
loneliness? Or will her life be upended by circumstance yet again?
Christine
Johnson is the author of Love’s
Rescue as well as several books for Steeple Hill and Love Inspired. She was
twice named a finalist for Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award®.
When not writing, she loves to hike and explore God’s majestic creation. These
days, she and her husband, a Great Lakes ship pilot, split their time between northern
Michigan and the Florida Keys.
Visit the following sites to connect with Christine and
learn more about her books.
http://www.twitter.com/ChristineJWrite
Christina’s
headshot is courtesy of E.A. Creative Photography, c.2013
