by Alena Wendall, @alenawendall
I’ve been texting with some of my very amazing friends. And I love how real we can be with each other. We’d all made plans and goals for a Super Amazing 2020. A year of 2020 Vision.
But here I sit in the beginning of February and can I tell you? Life did not oblige me in January. It did not follow my plan.
The muse didn’t show up when I sat down to write.
The week I scheduled to start my Miracle Mornings (writing time) I was called into the office at 6:00 am.
Work was extra stressful, not only were we finalizing our 2020 goals and moving locations but I received notice that an inspector was scheduled to show up…at any time!
Y’all can I be honest and say I wasn’t feeling very joyful or hopeful at that moment? That I wanted to can the plan and kick the can?
I faced several moments of frustration and I had to go back to the promises.
The Word. The infallible Bible. I thought I’d share some of the scriptures that helped me.
For those days when your deadline is fast approaching, and the pages are still blank:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
For those days you get that dreaded rejection letter. Or you may have received an email from your editor telling you, your story won’t work as it’s written and—you’ve poured your heart and soul into it. Stand on this promise.
³I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
Philippians 4:13 Amplified
Underline emphasis are all mine. In fact, if you took a look at my Bible, you’d see it was underlined, then highlighted, then stars drawn around it. Why? This specific promise pulls me through the wall of self-doubt that seems thicker and bigger than Mount Everest.
Doubts, life and crazy circumstances come to all of us, from NYT best -selling authors to unpublished writers.
My hope is, if you’re feeling that way, you will be encouraged. If January didn’t go as plan, today is a new day, try again.
Our Father God, created you to do this thing called writing and he has empowered you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Stand On The Word.
Father is ever present, right there beside you, cheering you on.
Write On!
Writing as Alena Wendall, Alena Tauriainen pens contemporary Christian romance novels that always end with a happily ever after. By day, she partners with her lifelong mate Clyde, to run the family HVAC business. She manages both business and family life with four lovable but crazy kids. She is the Retreats Coordinator for My Book Therapy. She is represented by Rachelle Gardner with Books & Such Literary Management. Visit her at alenawendall.com.