Advice – The Will to Wake Up

Comforting Others in Truth

Do you ever struggle with knowing how to comfort a loved one authentically?

We’ve all faced that moment. Some of us dread it, others seek it out.

When a loved one’s eyes well up with tears as they share the heartbreak they are currently experiencing. You warmly embrace them in a hug, but once you pull away, the moment arrives. Your time to deliver words of comfort.

There are so many ways this moment can go wrong.

Oversharing about your own similar experiences, which puts the spotlight on you instead of your hurting friend. Blasting the person who hurt your friend, to the point where your words become malicious and gossipy. Boldly stating that your friend should just “tough it up.”

A few months ago, after hearing a friend share about her painful situation, I knew what the “right words” were. Words that affirmed her view of the situation. Words that promised a happily ever after.

I felt torn because I wanted her to feel God’s love through me, but I couldn’t be honest by comforting her with promises that weren’t mine to make. I didn’t know if there would be reconciliation. I didn’t know if what was lost would be restored.

In the end, I wasn’t as encouraging as I could’ve been and my friend expressed disappointment in our conversation.

I’m glad I didn’t go against my convictions and spoke fluffy words to her. But this situation made me realize I needed to go back to the Bible to learn how God wants me to comfort others in the future.

I’ve been reading through the book of Zechariah, one of the minor prophets in the Old Testament, and this morning I came across this verse:

The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.

Zechariah 10:2 (NIV)

We are in a culture so focused on affirming ourselves that encouragement and comfort lose their strength and meaning. By inherently being broken people, we won’t find hope within ourselves. We will break promises to each other. Our limited vision prevents us from seeing the future.

So how can we encourage and comfort others in a way that is truthful and meaningful? By reminding them of the promises God–who is always faithful–has already made.

Later on in the same chapter, God makes this promise to His people:

I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.

Zechariah 10:6 (NIV)

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross allows all believers to be God’s children and receive His promises. These aren’t empty promises rooted in our flawed selves. These are everlasting promises overflowing with God’s mercy and love.

The next time you are comforting someone, consider referring to this verse, or another verse where God promises His people that He will never abandon them. You may even say something like this:

I’m so sorry for what you are going through. I cannot even comprehend the pain you are experiencing. But God knows exactly what you are going through and He promises to give you His strength when you turn to Him.

Healing takes time, but God is with you and will restore you, even if things don’t look exactly the way you hope. He has compassion on you because He loves you as His child. When you call out to Him, He will answer you.

Could I pray for you?

These words are imperfect, but a starting point. I know that I will likely miss an opportunity to comfort someone again in the future. But when we are willing and open to being led by the Spirit, God will show us who He wants us to comfort, and He will provide us with the words to encourage them.

Pray today to ask God to comfort and strengthen you, and then direct you to someone to comfort with His love.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

21 Lessons I’ve Learned at Age 21

Reflecting on another year of life and what God’s taught me through it.

As today turns the chapter on another year of my life, here are a few pieces of wisdom God has provided me over the course of being 21.

Relationships

People cannot fill the God-spaced void in your heart.
Notice how the people in your circle treat others. Likely, you will eventually be treated by them the same way. If that fills you with joy, good! But if that concerns you, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate the relationship.
Being constantly flattered or charmed by someone often means they are masking their true intentions.

Identity

Being yourself can lead to rejection, but that allows only the people who truly care about you to stay.
It’s a crime to yourself and others to become a different person in every relationship. In an attempt to please everyone, you will be left exhausted, and end up pleasing no one.
Your identity will be made whole when it’s rooted in being loved by God.

Prayer

Pray constantly for pure motives and a teachable heart.
Coming to the Lord on your knees transforms you into a posture of surrender.
Ask the Lord to help you love Him back.

Writing

Consistency matters more than quality or quantity. The rest will follow when you make a commitment to write.
You will gain insight when you show your work to others.
Hold projects loosely, trusting the changes will bring your story to life in its best form.

Friendship

Not everyone is receptive to the truth. When they reject it, recognize they are not rejecting you, but something far greater.
A silent, faithful presence can leave a stronger impact than attempting to fix a loved one’s problems.
You should treat everyone with kindness and respect. But you do not have to be everyone’s friend.

Purpose

Closed doors are often God’s way of protecting you.
God is not withholding anything that is meant for you.
Our primary purpose is to be in relationship with God.

Life

Joyful seasons will end sooner when you allow worry to creep into your heart. Trust that God is with you on the mountaintops and in the valleys below.
Don’t waste energy on trying to convince others to understand you.
The tiny steps matter. You are making progress, and progress far outlasts our flawed definition of perfection.

As I step into being 22, I pray that God will continue to remind me that I’m only capable of loving others when I’m filled with His love. His Spirit will sustain me, no matter what I will face.

What is something God’s been teaching you this year?

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:7-11 (NIV)

An Ink-Stained Journey

Learning to trust God through the process of becoming an author.

I was scared to pursue becoming an author. Don’t get me wrong; I absolutely love writing. Feeling inspired to create is one of my favorite ways to connect with God.

But when I entered high school, I worried that my passion for writing wasn’t enough. Writing is a competitive business, and it would require both confidence in my skills and humility to take rejection in order to succeed. And most importantly, immense faith in God’s calling.

So I explored other viable career paths–only to hit dead ends. When it was time to choose a university, only one of my options had a creative writing program. As I prayed over my decision, I knew God wanted me to pursue writing. While the thought of becoming a professional writer gave me joy, I soon realized God led me to the decision that required the greatest amount of faith.

Then this choice was posed to me again after I graduated. Even with the awareness of the costs and challenges to come, I chose to continue pursuing writing with the desire to witness God reveal more of His purposes for me.

Over the last six months, I’ve been growing as a writer through participating in a faith-based writing and business program called The Author Conservatory. Through this program, I’ve received mentorship from Christian writers, encouragement and feedback from my peers (fellow aspiring authors), and entrepreneurship training.

The Author Conservatory focuses on building the foundational components of a story so that we can approach both simple and complex topics with grace, respect, and wisdom. One challenge with this has been learning how to plot out the main details of a story rather than beginning the process by drafting. (For my fellow writers out there, I’m more of a pantser! But plotting is growing on me…)

Each novel undergoes four stages of planning: Concept, Character Arc, Synopsis, and Outline. And within those stages are weeks of revising, brainstorming, and rewriting. By the time we’re allowed to draft, it feels like such a reward!

Another aspect that has required humility is receiving an abundance of feedback, particularly from industry professionals, and needing to make changes–sometimes drastic ones–in response to it. But accepting constructive criticism has transformed my work and my perspective.

While the process may feel slow at times, every rewrite, every training, and every bit of new insight draws us closer to becoming professional writers.

Though choosing to pursue writing has come with sacrifices and challenges, I am so thankful God led me to Author. As a writer, I feel like I’ve grown more in the last 6 months than I would’ve in 6 years on my own. This community has encouraged me to dedicate my writing–both fiction and non-fiction–to God, and invite Him into the process.

Perhaps you’re finding yourself in a situation where you aren’t sure what the next step should be. Consider bringing your options to God in prayer and seeking His direction.

Every decision comes with costs–but also blessings. The most blessed path, even if it requires patience and sacrifice, is the one in which God is leading you.

In fact, making sacrifices for something shows commitment to it. Sometimes the blessing that comes with sacrifice is recognizing how much you love something–or someone.

I used to be scared of making choices that would disrupt God’s plans for me. But none of us have the power to thwart God’s plans for us. We may take some detours along the way, but we will always end up exactly where He wants us to be. The smoothest way to get there (even if the road appears bumpy) is listening for His voice with each next step.

And often God’s path is lined with unexpected blessings: godly friendships, opportunities to trust Him deeper, patches of peace. Even laughter is a gift from God.

Celebrate the ways God has blessed the journey you’re on. Ask Him to meet you in the moments that feel difficult and discouraging. And trust that He is leading you to trust in Him more deeply with each passing season.

Then Job replied to the Lord:

“I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”

Job 42:1-2 (NIV)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:26-28 (NIV)

5 Tips for Restoring Your Love of Reading

I hope these simple practices help you as much as they’ve helped me!

Upon graduating college, I realized that even after earning a degree in English, all my years in school had stolen my enjoyment of reading!

School and technology have taught us to skim texts for key details rather than slow down and enjoy the journey. And when we’re required to spend hours reading books that feel either uninteresting or purposeless to us, we are more likely to hesitate in spending free time reading.

I can’t blame school entirely, though. It’s hard to prioritize reading when there are so many other entertainment options out there. But nothing beats being immersed in a wonderful story.

If you’re like me and you miss leisure reading, then you’ve come to the right article! Here are five (plus one) key practices you can use that will hopefully spark your love of reading again.

Listen to AudioBooks

If you’ve found yourself skimming or losing focus while reading, then perhaps you’d enjoy listening to a story rather than reading it. Audiobooks allow us to slow down and pay attention. They are even more fun when the voice actor(s) get into character!

Audiobooks also have the perk of allowing us to multitask while listening. Just make sure you’re doing an activity that doesn’t require too much thought, or else you might realize you missed a significant detail in the story!

You can access audiobooks through paid subscriptions like Audible or Spotify, but my favorite way to listen is free through my local library app!

Reread a beloved classic

My all-time favorite story is The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe. What’s yours? Have you reread it lately?

We often discount our classic favorites (whether they be ‘true’ classics or contemporary classics) because we deem them childish. However, children’s and young adult literature contain valuable lessons and compelling journeys. Writing to a younger audience often requires even stronger writing skills because authors have a stricter set of parameters to follow.

Sometimes, we just need to know we can finish a book, even a shorter one with more comprehensible language. Write down your top five favorite childhood/YA books and then read them again! You might be more encouraged than you realize.

start a book club

This one might seem daunting, especially if you’re struggling to even finish one book on your own. However, there is truly power in numbers. Sometimes, we just need one other person alongside us with a similar goal!

Your book club could consist of you and one other person, or you could gather a group of people to read with you. All you have to do is find someone who is willing to devote time to reading again. Then, pick a book you both would enjoy and find time to regularly discuss it.

This will not only keep you accountable, but it will also deepen your understanding of the book when you hear someone else’s perspective on it!

Move chapter by chapter

Perhaps the reason why you haven’t been able to read lately is because you don’t have enough time. That’s okay! We all have busier seasons of life, but even in those seasons we must find time to rest and restore.

If reading is restorative to you, consider blocking out time each day to simply read one chapter of a book. Or if the chapters in your novel are too long, then set a goal to read for a specific period of time each day, like twenty minutes. It’s okay if it takes you a long time to complete a book. All that matters is you are enjoying the process.

read in a new location

Reading allows us to enter new worlds and explore new possibilities. But perhaps escaping through the printed pages isn’t exhilarating enough for you. Maybe you need to find an interesting new location to read.

Here are a few ideas to get you started in your search for the perfect reading spot:

A local park
By the beach
In a quiet coffee shop
At the library
In your backyard
In a location that’s similar to a setting in your story

Extra tip: ask friends for reading recommendations!

For my birthday, one of my friends gave me a book list of her personal recommendations. Not only did this help me go in more openminded and trusting that with a fair shot, these would be interesting stories, but I ended up loving her selections!

If you are looking for some recommendations, here are a few of mine organized by genre:

Classic:

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

YA:

So Not Happening by Jenny B. Jones

Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan

Children’s:

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

Poetry:

All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols

Historical:

The Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse

Daughter of Rome by Tessa Afshar

Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson (nonfiction)

Mystery:

The Maid by Nita Prose

Allegorical:

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

Writing Advice:

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

Christian Nonfiction:

Letters to the Church by Francis Chan

Now and Not Yet by Ruth Chou Simons

Breath as Prayer by Jennifer Tucker

Comment below your favorite book and what you love most about it!

You are Growing, Too

Do you feel burned out by trying to keep pace with others in your life who seem to be ahead?

Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life… There is nothing else.

– Dallas Willard

A little over a month ago, we set twelve pots out on our back patio and planted different seeds inside each of them. I was amazed to see green shoots poking up out of nine of the pots within a week after planting. However, there seemed to be nothing growing in the last few pots.

We assumed the birds had eaten the seeds, and we cut our losses, just grateful that most of the plants were growing. (I’m no green thumb, so having even one successful plant is a win!)

But I was taken by surprise today as I was about to dig up the soil in the seemingly barren pots and plant new seeds inside, only to find tiny green sprouts rising up to greet me. I was so glad I had slowed down and noticed them in time, and I felt a little guilty that I hadn’t given them more time to grow at their own pace.

We live in a very hurried society. Our attention spans are shorter, we are lonelier because we don’t make time to just be with people, and we are ranked by our efficiency. But when we hurry, we miss out on the subtle growth happening around us and within us on a daily basis.

Hurry is the enemy of love.

– Steve Biddulph

Our fear of falling behind stems from comparison. When our lives aren’t on the same trajectory as those around us, we begin to worry we aren’t growing fast enough, or even at all. This causes us to forget to be grateful and to feel like failures when we’re not. We’re just designed to move at a different pace, and that’s okay!

How can we enjoy life if we are always in a rush? Stopping and smelling the roses is such a cliché, but perhaps we need more of that mentality in our lives. We may miss opportunities for beauty and joy if we don’t pause regularly.

How can we truly love others when we are constantly moving from one thing to the next, always trying to better ourselves and up our statuses? Imagine how you’d feel if a loved one took time out of their day to listen to you and laugh with you and comfort you. To do nothing together. When’s the last time you did that with someone?

Finding someone to do nothing with can be harder than finding someone to do a hobby with or work on a project with. But perhaps those are the kind of friends to surround yourself with. It means they are there to be with you and nothing else.

This isn’t a call to “waste” time. It’s a call to figure out what your priorities are. To see if perhaps your fatigue or anxiety or stress could be soothed by the simple, yet vital practice of rest.

God calls us to rest. That’s why He created the Sabbath. When we rest, we have the energy to perform well in the other aspects of our lives. When we rest, we have the capacity to love others well. When we rest, we are aware enough to notice the ways we are growing, too.

How might God be calling you to slow down and rest today? Listen to Him and realize that rest is a sacred practice that you are meant to enjoy. You are worthy of rest.

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.

– Hebrews 4:1-2

20 Things I’ve Learned at Age 20

As I head into a new year of life, here are 20 things God has really brought to light this year.

I hope these bits of wisdom encourage you. Feel free to comment what God has been teaching you so far in 2024!

Embracing your own God-given journey is the key to finding peace.
Not all relationships are meant to last forever. When it’s time to let go, let go and move on.
On the flip side of that, when a relationship is worth fighting for, don’t let hardships or conflict prevent you from strengthening the bond you have with your loved one.
Not everyone will understand your call or your decisions. That’s okay. God’s opinion is the only one that truly matters, so if you are following His lead, you are doing the right thing.
God speaks in many different ways. The important thing is to keep your ears open and use each opportunity to get a better sense of what His voice sounds like.
Cherish the smoother seasons, even if they feel mundane. You will long for them when hard times come.
When hard seasons arrive, remember that they don’t last forever. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus instead of the roaring waves or the storm ahead.
Surrendering your life to Jesus is a daily process which is challenging and even sacrificial at times, but it is so worth it.
Pay attention to the voices around you. Are they voices that encourage you to become the person God wants you to be? Words impact you more than you know.
An identity rooted in anything other than who Jesus says you are will lead to self-destruction and doubt.
Humility is the key to being a secure person.
You were not created to be alone.
Belonging doesn’t have to be limited to social categories. You belong simply by existing here.
Kindness is undervalued in this day and age, but it is also one of the most critical characteristics to embody.
True friendships are built on the mutual joy of simply being in each other’s presence, not about what one wants from the other or how exciting the activities are.
People can’t read your mind. If something bothers you, speak up. If something encourages you, show appreciation.
Even when the timing doesn’t make sense to you, it makes sense to God. His timing is perfect. Trust Him.
If you are discerning whether or not to trust someone’s spiritual counsel, take note of the fruit from their life. Are they of godly character? Do their actions and relationships align with their public beliefs?
You will never find joy or clarity in comparing your story to someone else’s.
One of God’s greatest gifts is inspiration.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

-Romans 5:2-5

Fixing What is Broken is Hard — and It’s Worth It

We all have once choice: healing or remaining in our brokenness. Which will you choose today?

When we notice our cracks, our emptiness, and our voids, we have one choice. Will we choose healing or will we choose to remain in our brokenness?

Healing seems like the obvious answer. The word itself brings to mind waves lapping against smooth sand and the rushing sound of water washing us clean. Healing sounds peaceful, and there is a glorious aspect of peace in healing.

But healing is also hard work. It requires us to be honest with ourselves about our brokenness. We often have apologies and reparations to make. And healing isn’t a linear process.

The latter has been the hardest for me to grasp recently. My healing journey began five years ago when I made the decision to surrender my brokenness to Jesus and beg for His help. He listened to me, as He always does, and has helped me grow and let go and discover more of Him since.

There have been fleeting moments of such strong peace that tempt me to wonder if my healing journey is over. Perhaps I am finally the person I have wanted to become.

And then an incident occurs or an unhealthy emotion rises up, and I find myself once again at the mercy of Jesus on account of my deep brokenness.

The hardest part about returning to that place is the sense of failure that accompanies this vulnerable posture. Sitting there in the darkness, I fight doubts over whether or not I’ll ever heal.

And the truth is, we aren’t able to experience complete healing on this side of Heaven because we live in a broken world. We may fully repair one crack just to have a dent appear.

Does that mean healing isn’t worth it?

Absolutely not. Healing is a vital part of sanctification, which is the process we undergo on earth where God helps us become more holy as we grow closer to Him.

While healing isn’t easy, the process itself allows us to trust God on a deeper level and let go of our pride and self-sufficiency. This can deepen our relationships with others because we recognize our need for them, too.

When we arrive at the feet of Jesus in humble submission, He doesn’t shame us. He welcomes us with loving arms. It is a courageous act — not an act of failure — to return to Jesus and ask for His healing. We are often rewarded with His comfort and peace, even if our external (or internal) circumstances are still quite messy.

Another aspect of healing that makes it difficult is the hope it requires. We must believe that we are worth the work it takes to heal. You may not feel worth it right now, and that’s okay.

There is someone who believes you are worth it: Jesus. He was willing to die and rise again to allow you the opportunity not only to experience healing on earth, but to heal fully in Heaven.

I also believe you are worth it. There are others in your life, even if you don’t realize it now, who love you and want you to embrace your God-given identity as a beloved child of the Most High King. None of the lies you believe about yourself, or that have been inflicted upon you by others, are strong enough to remove your identity in Christ.

Call out to God and trust that He hears you. Ask Him who in your life can support you during this time. Then reach out to them and keep your heart open to healing.

You will always be loved. You do not have to embark on this healing journey alone.

When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida,but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
Luke 9:10-11

And a little bonus Marvel advice 😉 I hope this little scene encourages you as it did me last night:

Loki Season 2 Clip

Life at Different Speeds

Do you feel frustrated by the pace of your progress?

Sloths typically live between 20-30 years, sleep 15-20 hours a day, and move at such a slow pace that algae grows on their backs¹. Over the course of their lives, they may be able to travel across 100 trees. Meanwhile, butterflies typically live for only a couple of weeks – months at the most. Yet they make the most of their time! Monarch butterflies travel 50-100 miles per day².

Photo by Shuvalova Natalia on Pexels.com

We all move at different paces, too. Some of us enjoy busy schedules, social gatherings, and constant movement. Others of us function best after taking the time to rest and process, appreciating the quieter moments of each day.

These differences go beyond personality as well. Some people seem to be on the fast track to success, whether it be worldly success or relationship development or spiritual transformation. Those of us who are late bloomers may feel frustrated that we’ve been working on the same thing for longer with less to show for it.

Humans are judged differently than animals. If you were to go up to a sloth and demand that it move faster, you would look silly. Similarly, if you were to tell a butterfly to slow down and smell the roses, you would also seem ridiculous. We have accepted that animals were created intentionally and uniquely. They have been functioning this way for thousands of years, and it’s only human interference that disrupts their life cycle. Thus, who are we to criticize their way of life?

However, we often feel inclined to question human growth rates, especially our own. Why didn’t we get into the same college as our friends? Why don’t we know which career path to take? Why haven’t we been promoted? When will we finally meet “the one” for us? How long until we become as successful or significant as the person beside us?

The questions shift through each stage of life, yet they are all rooted in our broken understanding of identity. God created us with unique gifts and personalities that benefit others. While we are meant to become more like Him the longer we walk in faith, we will also develop into one-of-a-kind creations. When we lose our broken understanding of who the world tells us we are, we can embrace the beautiful identity God designed for us.

There are benefits to our individuality, just as there are for sloths and butterflies traveling at their own paces. Sloths are able to camouflage due to the algae that develops from their slow speed, which protects them from predators. Butterflies’ migration patterns gives us a sign of how our ecosystem is doing, while also providing us hope and encouragement with their beauty³.

We may never know why life is moving at the rate it is right now or why it’s taking a different shape than we had imagined. However, we can always trust that with God in control, we will end up where we need to be in good time.

Today, breathe and rest in God’s presence, like sloths. And also keep an eye out for opportunities God offers you to bless others, like butterflies. No matter who you are, you were created intentionally and designed with a unique purpose that’s meant to be shared with the world.

Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-6

When Nothing Gets Better

Hope for when hardships don’t cease.

I had a more “poised” post planned out for today, but I’m going to be real with you. I’ve had a really difficult past few weeks and every time it seemed like things were improving, something else happened to make it worse. There were moments when staying in bed or zoning out behind a screen seemed safer than continuing on with my day.

Maybe you’re in a similar boat right now or perhaps you can recall a time when you were stuck in a negative cycle. I believe God wants us to express our emotions and be honest about them, but I don’t think He wants us to stop there.

I don’t have all the answers for why life is difficult or when your problems will be solved. We live in a broken world which will remain imperfect until Jesus comes again.

But I have been reminded again of our need to cling to the truth that there is always beauty to be found and we are not alone in our struggles. Here is my process of overcoming ongoing obstacles, which I hope resonates with you too.

Acknowledge the Pain

You are not a failure or overly sensitive for admitting when you are struggling. In fact, when we distract ourselves or pretend like everything is okay, we are depriving ourselves of deeper healing. Allow yourself to feel your emotions and share them, whether with a trustworthy loved one or in a diary, and especially with God.

Admit to God Your Humanness

Difficult times can draw us closer to God. He is here for you and wants you to call out to Him in all seasons. Admit that you can’t do this alone and ask for His steady hand to guide you through.

Reflect on Previous Trials and Restoration

This likely isn’t the first storm you’ve encountered. Remember a time when you thought nothing would improve and take notice of how this mindset shifted. Can you see God at work in that situation? What did you learn from that trial? Is there anything you can use from that experience to help you through this one?

Read God’s Promises for Your Life

Though we live in a broken world, God still created us with intention and love. Therefore, we can experience joy and fulfillment while living into the calling He has for us. Open your Bible and read passages that bring you hope. Notice passages about Bible characters who faced difficulties, but relied on God for strength. What got them through their battles? God never changes. He will help you, even if His response shows up in unexpected ways.

Do Something You Enjoy

While this step isn’t meant to be an escape from real life, taking time to have fun and focus on other aspects of our lives can help us process and release our pain. You are worth moments of rest and enjoyment.

Allow Yourself to Embrace Newness

Life might look different for you right now, but that doesn’t mean you have to freeze and wait for everything to be over. You can live out your God-given calling right now, even as you hope for better days. We may avoid embracing newness because it means we have to keep moving forward, but it also means we won’t be stuck in this season forever. Things will get better, one step at a time.

I hope and pray that you know how much you are loved. No matter what, God is with you and fighting for you. Don’t give up. ❤

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:3-5

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²²And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
Ephesians 1:18-23

Journey to Inspiration

My revelations after coming out of a writer’s block.

I hit a writer’s block in December. By hit, I really do mean collided, smashed, and totaled my little writing vehicle. I like to picture it as a tiny, sky blue Bug with floral bumper stickers.

Early last summer, I created a goal to write for at least 15 minutes a day. I was working on a novel, one I was sure I’d finish, and this goal motivated me to continue working on it. For six months, I successfully kept this goal.

Until I realized I needed to scrap my novel and start a new project.

My cumulation of over eight months of work boiled down into one short story — I’d like to call it a novella, because it was quite a number of pages, but certainly not enough to be a novel — and then there was nowhere else to go with it. I should’ve been proud of that novella, and I was, deep down. But I was also deeply disappointed in myself. I felt like a failure for letting go of a project after spending so much time on it.

My feelings of inadequacy, my desire to crank out a perfect draft in one take, and my longing to be immersed in a fresh new story were the cement slabs of my writer’s block.

Have you ever been in that place? So drained of inspiration, and yet craving the feeling of being inspired again. I believe that inspiration comes from God, just as every good and perfect gift does. But inspiration is a bit like faith. God will help us develop a strong faith, but we have to be willing to do the work too.

To clarify, faith and salvation are two different things. Salvation is all about the work Jesus has already done for us. We don’t have to do anything except desire a relationship with Him and ask for this gift. While faith is a product of our relationship with Jesus, and Jesus is always there with us, we can’t grow in our faith if we aren’t willing to listen to Him, spend time with Him, or obey Him.

Faith requires sacrifice, courage, and patience. We often don’t make the right decision or think the kind thought the first time around. Jesus may call us to give of our time, energy, resources, and comfort in order to follow His will and love others. We may lose friends or opportunities because our priorities don’t align with the world’s. But isn’t it worth it to live a purposeful life, filled with the love of Jesus?

Inspiration requires sacrifice, courage, and patience too. We may endure many long, harrowing nights before we have a writing session where our fingers are flying and our hearts are full of anticipation. Our choices may not make sense to others, especially when we choose write instead of going out. (Though please, my fellow writers, make time to live your life outside of your writing too!) And often we don’t have instant gratification from our work.

But isn’t it worth it?

When I am inspired, I feel closest to God. I feel empowered and determined to use my writing to encourage others and to learn more about the world and myself. Spending time with complex characters makes me in awe of God for creating each of us so uniquely and knowing us so intimately. It is a profound experience that can lead to beautiful creations, if we are willing to embark on the journey to inspiration.

This month, I started a new writing goal, and I’m excited to say that I’ve stuck with it so far! My new writing project concerns this blog. While I love writing encouragement and faith-based nonfiction, my heart is found in fiction writing. I will continue writing these regular blog posts, but I’m also excited to announce that I will be adding a fiction section to this blog within the coming months! I hope that it brings you as much joy as it’s brought me.

No matter where you are on your journey, whether it is your spiritual journey, writing journey, or another journey, I hope you know that you are not alone. Jesus is walking right beside you, eager to help you grow into the person He created you to be.

Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.
1 Corinthians 16:6-7

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4