My Favorite Writing Spot
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6
“What if?”
These words are a writer’s worst enemy. They bring up all kinds of insecurities.
What if I can’t find words today?
What if my manuscript is rejected?
What if my book doesn’t sell?
Worrying can sap my strength and stop the flow of ideas.
Linda Dillow gives a great antidote for anxiety in her book, Calm My Anxious Heart. Drawing from Philippians 4 she gives us four choices we can practice that allow us to experience God’s peace.
- Choosing to give our anxieties to God – I can make a decision today that I will not worry about my work.
- Choosing to pray specifically – I can choose lift up my concerns about my work to God.
- Choosing to be thankful – Gratitude helps me focus on God’s faithfulness.
- Choosing to dwell on the positive – I can make a choice to see the glass half full.
God’s peace or my worry? It is a matter of choice. I can give in to the “what if”s or I can choose to practice peace.
Today I choose peace.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Betsy Duffey, writingsisters.com
God gives us confidence in every next day.
Reblogged this on Writing Sisters.
I read an excellent article recently about being thankful and that encouraged us to pray thankfully. I’m consciously trying to start my prayers, even those asking for something, with thanks related to that something. For instance, when I’m praying for help in getting the house ready to sell, I can begin by thanking God for the years we’ve lived here, that the mortgage has been paid off for years, for all the things I’m trying to sort through/pack/get rid of, and so on. Not only will that be pleasing to God but it makes me focus on the positives.
Love this, Love this, Betsy!! God bless you abundantly–have a great week! love, sis Caddo