Weapons of Mass Joy

As a new author, I've discovered lots of dangers in the writing life. Temptations to anxiety, pride, envy, and discouragement seem to spring up faster than the stinging nettles in my vegetable garden.

Last month, while I was at the International Christian Retail Show in Denver, I was praying about the spiritual dangers that have heightened for me in recent months. God spoke to my heart, telling me that gratitude would be an important weapon for me, as I fought to resist the lure of comparisons and worldly measurements. He was right. Each time I began to feel tiny and worthless, I thanked Him that I AM tiny, and thanked Him for letting me have a tiny part in His big work. It helped.

Another weapon that has been helping me with writer stress, is humor. My agent and editor came up with goofy suggestions for book titles in the Becky Miller series (all tongue in cheek). They made me laugh so hard, I ran a contest on my website and collected hundreds of other funny ideas from readers. Some of the best are posted on my Just For Fun page. Stop on over and share a chuckle.

I've always loved the Ephesians passage about the armor of God - and I know that the Word is our sword - our prime weapon. But I'm enjoying learning about other weapons that can help me ward off the neuroses that go along with the very odd life of being an author. Gratitude, laughter . . .  What are some of your favorites? Let me know!

Sharon Hinck
The Secret Life of Becky Miller (Bethany House, 2006)

Comments

[Ane Mulligan]

First of all, thanks, Sharon, for a good reminder of what to expect. As drama director for my church and a life-long drama queen :o), I've had to deal with the ego thing. God created dramatists with a fair amount of ego so they could get up on the stage in front of all those people.

But it has to be tempered by God. The break through for me came from another writer. Go figure. Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life, makes a life changing statement right in opening pages.

"It's all about God, and not about you."

Wow. That really puts it all in perspective, doesn't it?

Will I slip? Sure. But God has a way of reminding me that even my stories aren't about me. The lives that might be touched for His purpose is what they're about.

That's why I loved The Secret Life of Becky Miller. From God's heart to your pen, there is life-changing truth written on those pages.