by Patricia Bradley, @PTBradley1

Thanksgiving is behind us, and the Christmas holidays are barreling toward us like a tsunami. And somehow we have to fit in things like deadlines, edits, and marketing with everything else. Sound like a recipe for stress to you? It does to me.

So how do we cope? I mean, this time of year is supposed to be about love, and peace, and kindness, and certainly not about stress. And it would be except…I have a deadline that I am behind on because, well, life happens. 

When deadlines loom and life feels so overwhelming, there’s only one place for me to turn. God. I start out with knowing He knows about this deadline. And He knows about the problems that caused me to fall behind. And He gave me both—the deadline and the problem that caused me to fall behind. So, I have to trust that He will bring me through. And so far, He has. But you know what? In spite of knowing what I know, I’m always tempted to worry about getting sick, or something else will happen that will take away writing days. That’s when I have to claim Philippians 4:6-7:

‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’

Every deadline I tell myself I’m not going to be where I am right now again. And then it happens again. I really need to look at the reason I’m behind, and even when it isn’t my fault, maybe it really is my fault. Maybe I need to look at how I could have been ahead of the deadline instead of cutting it too close. That’s when God reminds me of Colossians 3:23-24.

‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.’

So, a commitment to not procrastinate when that deadline is nine months away, or even six months. Work on the story some each day. Hold myself accountable. And remember 1 Peter 5:6-7: 

‘Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.’

Because even when I mess up I’m not alone and God loves me. Just like He does you.

Long Days. Hot Nights. Deadly Secrets. Grab this red hot Christian Suspense Anthology bargain for just 99c for a limited time only before it increases to $9.99! Start your summer off right with 16 gripping and never-before published tales of Christian suspense from today’s most popular mystery and suspense authors. Join Patricia Bradley, Mary Alford, Christy Barritt, Vannetta Chapman, Mary Ellis, Debby Giusti, Rachel J. Good, Ruth Hartzler, Shaen Layle, Ruth Logan Herne, Loree Lough, Elizabeth Ludwig, Nancy Mehl, Serena B. Miller, Samantha Price, Alana Terry on a dangerous journey filled with mystery, suspense, and faith that that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

JUSTICE DELIVERED

Carly Smith came by her trust issues honestly. A victim of sex trafficking, she’s been at the mercy of merciless men, ignored by law enforcement officers who should have helped her, and seemingly rejected by her family. She can’t even trust herself to do the right thing. Though she escaped her captors and is working hard on building a new life, the past continues to haunt her when she discovers that the man she couldn’t bring herself to report to police for fear of reliving her captivity is still out there, luring vulnerable girls under the guise of being a modeling agent.

When her own niece is kidnapped, Carly must overcome her fears and come forward with the information she has before it’s too late. When that proves to be not enough, she’ll have to go after the perpetrators herself.

Winner of an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award in Suspense and a 2018 Carol finalist, Patricia Bradley lives in North Mississippi with her rescue kitty, Suzy. Her romantic suspense books include the Logan Point series and the Memphis Cold Case Novels. She also has written sweet romances for Harlequin Heartwarming available as e-books.