Lately, I’ve been very discouraged with the progress of my book. It’s done but I’m still trying to find a literary agent to no avail. Every time I sit down to query, I’m just overcome with a sense of hopelessness and despair and the rejects that occasionally still filter in do not ameliorate the situation at all.
So, church today was about the Enemy or Devil and how he comes against us and we are in a constant struggle (usually invisible) against him. This made me immediately think of my novel because I completely agreed that it’s the Devil at work on my will to get this published. I do believe this book is a strong book for all people and will help them in their struggles and it does grapple with the question of God’s role in our lives. Thus, I think the Devil may be upon me every time I try to work on it (be it querying, editing, writing, etc).
Step 1) is being aware of this battle and how it’s the Devil focusing on my weaknesses (which are aversion to criticism, my writing sucks, I will never get this published, etc).
Step 2) is depend on God’s strengths to overcome and not yours. This is important, especially since writing is such a lonely craft. I do feel alone sometimes in my struggles with this book.
Step 3) will be to use God’s protection to win the battle over him.
I am excited for this next series so I can learn some tools in order to put my mind where it needs to be to create and do God’s work–ultimately your life’s purpose.