by Jeanne Takenaka, @jeannetakenaka

When I began the rough draft of my latest novel, all heck broke loose. Hubs had to travel out of the country on business. The car broke down. Kids got testy.

And, just because I like to live on the wild side, I began my fast-draft during the last month of my boys’ school year. I sensed spiritual warfare—or resistance—pulling at me. So many interruptions.

As I contemplated how to handle all the craziness that was my life, I considered waiting to begin until summer, or for a time when life was slower. That thought lasted all of two minutes. Because, as a mom of teen boys, life never slows down.

Ever.

I pressed into the story with lots of prayer, grabbing every spare moment to write. When I got stuck, a friend’s words played on repeat in my mind: “You are the only one who can write your story.”

Is my story the one unique storyline that’s never been written?

No.

But, I am the only one who can tell it from my perspective with my life experiences.

God has given me this story to write through my POV.

He’s done the same for you.

Each of us faces opposition as we seek to fulfill God’s calling to write. The question is, what will we do when we face resistance?

We can give up. Or, decide to write it later. And hope that “later” comes at a more convenient time in life.

Or, we can choose to pray up and press forward, trusting that God’s working in our lives.

What He gives us to do, He will enable us to accomplish. If we look to Him for His guidance and help.

Five things for navigating resistance:

1. Determine in our minds we’re going to do our part to get our stories written. There will never be a perfect, uninterrupted time in life to write. We can write in the midst of the crazy, or we can give up.
2. Look to God for guidance, especially when stuck on a scene, a plot point, or some other aspect of story-crafting. If God’s given us this story—if He’s called us to write—He wants us to complete the story. We need to go forward with that mindset.
3. Set aside time to write. And use that time for your story. Nothing else. My hubs gives me some Saturday mornings. Maybe you have someone who can watch the kids for a few hours. Maybe it works best to get up early or stay up late.
4. Ask friends to pray for you. Have people on deck who can brainstorm with you when you get stuck.
5. Press forward and do the work.

I completed my fast-draft. Now, I’m reminding myself of these truths as I take my story through the next steps.

We all face resistance. The question is, what’ll we do when it comes knocking Don’t let it have the final word. Press forward.

Award-winning aspiring novelist, Jeanne Takenaka, writes contemporary inspirational fiction that tackles real-life issues with a heart to draw women closer to God and those around them. She lives near the mountains of Colorado with her amazing husband and two exuberant boy-men. She loves being God’s girl—always learning about His grace, hanging out with friends and enjoying a great cup of coffee. When she’s not writing you can find her with a camera in her hand, looking for #alittlebitofpretty in her days. You can connect with her on her blog, on Facebook, and on Twitter.