Jealousy: A Common Emotion We Deal With as Writers By Sondra Kraak

Jealousy.

It’s messy, hot, uncomfortable and, well, ugly. 

It eats at the bones. It smolders in the chest. It exhausts the heart. We see another writer get a contract, or another’s book get praised, and jealousy flares within us, and that leads to a sense of competition, and into a spiral of comparison that makes us doubt our calling and gifts. 

Friends, how can we adequately dive into the struggle of jealousy in a 700-word post? We can only play around in the shallows of it, but maybe that will get us looking deeper into our motivations, our fears, and our struggles as writers—as they relate to jealousy.

Creative Best Series: Five

trophy

Hey everyone, Annette here. Happy Monday! We've spent the last few Mondays going through Galatians 6:4-5 in the Message, focusing on being our creative best. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve my Creator by using the creative gifts He placed within me. Aren't you? Writing is a gift and a calling. Let's peek at the next section of this fantastic passage and see what nuggets we can pick up to fortify us this week. Our next line reads:

 

Don’t be impressed with yourself

Wow. Holds nothing back, does it?

Years ago, I joined fellow writers at a conference in Seattle. We sat down to eat and one of the authors said he always signed with this “code”—1cor47. We determined he meant 1 Corinthians 4:7, what we didn’t know was what that verse said. I’ll never forget the impact of these words as he quoted them to the five us:

For who makes you differ from another?

And what do you have that you did not receive?

Now if you did indeed receive it,

why do you boast as if you had not received it?

(1 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV)

Does God inspire our writing? Then, how can we take credit for it? We cannot. That author’s “code” for book signing is a great code for Christian living. It’s humbling and true.

Being “impressed with yourself” leads to boasting. How can God bless the prideful ones? He detests pride. Jesus Himself is our example of humility, serving others and loving them sacrificially. That directive is wrapped up in our calling. 

Any successes we have aren’t our own. They are a grace of God. We can’t take credit for them. It’s like the elders in heaven who throw their crowns at the feet of Jesus—they know their accomplishments were only possible by the grace of the One who dwelt inside them, making them succeed. So, how can they retain the crowns bestowed on them? No. They must throw them at His feet, giving credit where it's due.

Ever had to endure a long, one-sided conversation where an author spoke only of his/her accomplishments? Me too. Isn’t it better, more gracious, when an author takes interest in those around him/her? Offering support and encouragement?

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit,

but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests,

but also for the interests of others.

(Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV)

We didn't get to where we are today on our own. It was the gracious work of God. He sent mentors into our lives, and teachers. He helped us discern our areas of weakness so we could address them. God gave us the calling, the resources, the support we needed as we sought Him. We certainly couldn't manufacture any of that on our own. And we definitely can't take credit for it. 
 

We can cheer the successes. Enjoy the process and the ride. But we cannot become impressed with ourselves.

Give glory to God and be your creative best.

We're halfway through our series. So, tell me: how do you nurture your creativity? How has God met you in writing, preparing, gathering resources? How has He shown you His faithfulness as you write for Him?

Photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net: metal trophy by Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot.

Virtues of March: Humility

Virtues of March: Humility
Author's Character Series
Net's Notations Tuesdays

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10)

Sometimes I'm tempted to list a passel of scriptures and leave it at that. Do you know what happens behind the "screen" over here as I bring up these virtues? (Like when I recently discussed patience? Remember that dog we talked about? 'nuff said.) *grin*

But, humility is key in regards to a Christian author's character. So, let's dig in.

Jesus gives us an example by demonstrating humility Himself.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
(Phil. 2:3-8, NLT)

Humility lets you be yourself—a marvelous, one-of-a-kind creation of God.

Humility insists you walk out your calling and use your gifts, without apology and without pride.

Humility boldly represents God, knowing rightly our position: we are God's ambassadors in the world.

Humility has nothing to prove.

Humility doesn't strive for attention or compliments.

Humility is content to work behind the scenes and never be noticed.

Humility looks to God for acceptance and approval. He’s the Audience of One.

Humility partners with peace and rest.

Humility protects us from the fall pride brings.

Humility receives compliments graciously because humility embraces truth without impure motives.

Now, let’s consider humility’s antonym: pride.

Here’s a verse that can help keep our minds from skipping merrily after vain thoughts:

For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7)

We’ll stave off vain imaginations by remembering we need God’s grace as writers—both to write well (craft study still required) and for open doors. Thankfully, God ties humility and grace together with a promise:

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

After studying this today, I could use that grace God's speaking of. How about you? Let's be intentional about this one. It's all part of cooperating as God's works on His authors' characters.

Part Two: Staying Grounded as Your Career Soars by Cheryl Wyatt

Please welcome back Cheryl Wyatt as she continues her series this Fortifying Friday.

Staying Grounded While Your Career Soars
By Cheryl Wyatt

Day 2 - Humility

When my debut sold, the celebratory outpouring of support from family and friends was enormous. I’ll always be thankful for that and remain hopeful for their dreams to come true, too.

I wasn’t prepared for how news that I’d sold a book thrust me from shadows of obscurity as a shy pray-er, into the title of “published author” in people’s minds. I love praying for others. My church, leaders, family, friends, strangers, etc. I have a tremendous love for orphans.

The only reason I asked God to get my writing to the point of making money was because half my heart is in pieces on the other side of the world. Strips of it tore away and clung like Band-aids to the motherless children in South Indian orphanages I visited after the big tsunami. It only takes $5,000 American dollars to build an orphanage for four hundred children. Multitudes are still homeless.

God’s answer to that prayer? “Write as worship.”

Well, okay but I wanted to be published. I wrote for free for years before I finally sold a book. Seven years later I was sitting at my desk when I sensed God ask again, “Will you always write as worship?”

“Yes, Lord. You know I will.” I chuckled because I knew He knew I would and He’d stay my heart to keep that promise.

I’m not kidding when I say THAT moment the phone rang. It was The Call.

That it happened as that answer left my lips was no coincidence. Any time I doubt this calling, God is gracious to remind me.

Every book sold means several hundred orphans have haven. I promised every penny to God for that purpose. No one knew.

So when people began saying things like, “You must be rolling in dough now” and other well-meaning but ridiculous and insensitive things, it honestly broke my heart. It was like all of a sudden no one knew the real me. I knew after soul-searching I hadn’t changed. I begged God to be sure this writing thing hadn’t gone to my head. I felt secure that I was still true to who God made me. I don’t view my writing as above any other gift. They each are important. My writing gives me more people to pray for.

People tend to either think too highly of themselves or too little. I fall in the latter category. I constantly fight negative voices telling me my writing’s not good enough. Guess what? Sometimes it’s not! LOL.

A line to one of my favorite songs says, “All I am is yours.”

I’m not a failure even though I fail. I am His. So are you. Take great comfort in that. Let’s never forget who we are or where we came from, no matter how successful we become. If you write as worship to the living God, you will be less likely to fall prey to pride when success is handed to you.

~ Cheryl Wyatt

Born Valentine’s Day on a naval base, Cheryl Wyatt writes military romance. Her Steeple Hill debuts earned RT Top Picks plus #1 and #4 on eHarlequin's Top 10 Most-Blogged-About-Books, lists including NYT Bestsellers. Check out her Web site.

Her latest book, Soldier Daddy, a Steeple Hill Love Inspired title, released in October, 2009.

U.S. Air Force commander Aaron Petrowski leads pararescue teams, yet can't find one nanny for his three-year-old twins? The widowed father is returning to duty, but not without the best care for his beloved boys.

So when Sarah Graham applies, the young woman surprises everyone by passing inspection. Until Aaron discovers Sarah has a secret tied to a tragedy in his past.

He can't keep her in his employ—or in his heart. Until his brave little soldier boys teach him a thing or two about love.

Creative Best Series - Part Five

Net's Notation Tuesdays
Creative Best Series - Part Five

Today we continue our journey through Galatians 6:4 in The Message. Our next line reads:

Don’t be impressed with yourself

What a command.

Years ago, I joined fellow writers at a conference in Seattle. As we sat down to eat, one of the authors said he always signed with this “code”—1cor47 whenever he signed his books. We determined he meant 1 Corinthians 4:7, what we didn’t know was what that verse said. I’ll never forget the impact of these words as he quoted them to the five us:

For who makes you differ from another?
And what do you have that you did not receive?
Now if you did indeed receive it,
why do you boast as if you had not received it?
(1 Corinthians 4:7, NKJV)

Does God inspire our writing? Then, how can we take credit for it? We cannot. That author’s “code” for book signing is a great code for living as a Christian. It’s humbling and true.

Being “impressed with yourself” leads to boasting. How can God bless the prideful ones? He detests pride. Jesus Himself is our example of humility, serving others and loving them sacrificially. That’s our calling.

Any successes we have aren’t our own. They are a grace of God. We can’t take credit for them. It’s like the elders in heaven who throw their crowns at the feet of Jesus—they know their accomplishments were truly birthed from the grace of the One who dwelt inside them, making them succeed.

Plus, how boring is it to speak to a well-published author who only discusses themselves and their accomplishments? They have a lot to say, so the conversation doesn’t lag. But it’s rather one-sided.

Following an experience of just that, a friend of mine said, “If I ever get like that, would you just slap me?” :-)

Isn’t it better, more gracious, when an author takes interest in those around him/her? Offering support and encouragement?

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit,
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests,
but also for the interests of others.
(Philippians 2:3-4, NKJV)

We didn't get to where we are today on our own. It was the gracious work of God. He sent mentors into our lives, taught us, helped us discern areas of weakness in a piece of writing so we could fix it.

I sat at my computer the other day, stuck. No words came. No solutions for why my wip (work in progress) was so boring. So, I prayed that God would give me what I was missing, what the story was missing. As I continued to tap away on those keys, new ideas came. Fresh inspiration from the Creator. He intervened. Without His help, the story would remain dull. Now I can build on what He provided. But I can't take credit.

As Christian writers, we can't take credit. We can cheer the successes. Enjoy the process and the accolades. But we cannot become impressed with ourselves.

Give glory to God and be your creative best.