Do Not Be Afraid

Thursdays – Dawn’s Devotions for Writers

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your
hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)

On a scale of 1-10, where does your level of peace lie today?

Are you worried about how the kids are doing in school?
Your day job? The spouse’s job?
Your parents’ health?
How you’re going to pay the stack of bills sitting on the counter?

When it comes to writing what fears do you have?
C’mon . . . you must have at least one.

The first time I sat across from an editor at a writers conference, I was petrified. Though I'd prayed in my hotel room prior to the meeting, my heart pounded, begging for release. I was afraid of saying the wrong thing, of being rejected, of making a fool of myself. But the editor was kind and made me feel comfortable. And after he expressed interest in my novel and asked for a proposal, I walked out of the room with a smile on my face.

I used to be afraid that my stories would never be published. I also feared that my family and friends would think it foolish to spend so much time and energy on what some perceived as a hobby—wishful thinking—a fantasy. But with time and small successes, they began to take me seriously.

Once published, authors may fear their work not living up to other people’s expectations. Poor sales. Bad reviews. Not getting the next contract. Marketing and keeping up with social networks, blogs, book signings, and dealing with more deadlines can feel overwhelming.

If we let them, our fears can go on . . . and on . . . and on.
They can paralyze us. I’ve seen it happen with a few writers.
They’re afraid of failure. And they’re afraid of success.

But, we're not to be troubled. John 14 tells us that God offers peace.

All we can do is work as hard as we can, and leave the rest up to God and His timing. We don’t have to do it on our own.

And no matter how discouraging things may look today—or tomorrow—God is still in control.

Don’t be afraid.

Dawn

Fulfilling His Purpose

Thursdays - Devotions for Writers

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not
abandon the works of your hands.” (Psalm 138:8 NIV)

Do you know anyone who doesn’t want to have purpose in his life? I don’t. I think it’s a need in most of us—if not all of us—to feel that we’re contributing something to the world and the people in it. Whether we acknowledge it or not, we want to believe that our presence makes a difference. I think when people deny the internal need for purpose, the result is selfishness and greed.

God tells us that He does have a plan and purpose for our lives. We’re not put on earth to meander until we breathe our last breath. As writers, part of our calling is to write and share His word, in whatever format works best for us.

Many of you have witnessed lives changed by people not only reading the Bible, but also the devotions, articles, and books that authors pen. I’m often spiritually fed by a Christian novel as much as I am by attending a church service.

If God chooses, He can use our work to reach people not only here in the U.S., but to the corners of the world. More and more frequently, I hear of author’s books being translated into a variety of languages and sent to other countries.

A missionary friend of mine works with orphaned girls and teens in Peru. His organization takes abandoned children off the streets and provides safety in three large “homes” built for them where they can get food, medical care, and education. They receive love from the staff and they learn about the One who “is” love.

Most of these little girls have been sexually and emotionally abused. They’re wounded both externally and internally. But with care, it's possible for them to heal.

My friend expressed a need for Christian books in Spanish to help the girls understand God’s love and acceptance of them – no matter what they had done—or what had been done to them. Along with children’s books, I sent Francine River’s, Redeeming Love. The teens devoured it, and when it came time for one of the older girls to leave, he gave her a copy to take with her because the story had meant so much to her.

We may never write a novel as internationally read as Redeeming Love, but dear writers, we have our own job to do. When doubts creep in, remember . . . God will fulfill His purpose in you.

Dawn