Today I am featuring a guest post by author Debra Ullrick. She graciously allowed me to post it here. I hope it speaks to you as much as it spoke to me! Even if you aren't a writer, I am sure there are times you feel blocked-- as a parent, a wife, a professional. When we feel blocked Debra has a great strategy for overcoming it.
Recently I had writer's block. It seemed like no matter how hard I tried I couldn't write a word. I had numerous story ideas and had started several, but then, I couldn't figure out what happened next. I would pray and nothing happened. I even got some wonderful advice from my fellow writers and still nothing happened.
Then the Lord showed me I wasn't putting Him first. I was put writing first. Plus, I wasn't trusting Him to write the story through me.
So before I even turned my computer on, I spent time in prayer and in the Word, and when I sat down to write, I simply said, "Lord, You are a creative genius. It is You Who has placed this gift inside of me. It is Your gift. Use me to write the words and the stories that You want written."
The words started to flow again, and I was able to get past the writer's block.
Then today, in the NASB, I stumbled on this scripture in Psalm 139:1-4, and it blew me away.
1O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
3You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
4Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
Even before there is a word/story on my tongue, HE knows it all... the whole story, from beginning to end. That is so freeing to me. I no longer have to stress over what happens next. I just need to remember that HE knows and allow Him to work through me because, after all, He is INTIMATELY acquainted with ALL my ways.
Just think, He cares about our writing intimately. Doesn't get more personal than that.
To find out about Debra's writing go to www.debraullrick.com
5 comments:
Hallelujah! I am struggling with a little "writer's block" myself as I prepare my book proposal for She Speaks and Winepress or Harvest House or Revell - : ) those are the 3 I prayerfully discovered were my choices, in that order.
HOW REFRESHING to be reminded that He knows "even before there is a word" on my computer screen!
I have been fretting a little... after all, She Speaks is practically one month away... but now I have peace... the peace that passeth all earthly understanding of how I'll have this proposal ready in time! ; )
Thank you, Marybeth and Debra! I needed that reminder to draw on His strength... not mine!
I've got a prayer to say before I begin typing today - I think I'll actually write it out and use it for the beginning of each writing session!
Shelly
http://shellysc.blogspot.com/
Thank You Marybeth and Debra. This is a very encouraging post to me.
Will look up Debra site too.
Have a great weekend Marybeth.
Love, Debra
Thanks for the encouraging words! I've been putting off and struggling with this e-book forever, but last night and today got it flowing again. Please, Lord, let the rest of the words flow today, for I've now got a deadline looming!
Great post Debra! Marybeth, I just got my P31 Woman. I LOVED your article. I am definitely going to get your book. It sounds wonderful! I am so excited for you. Congratulations!!!! You deserve it!
Such great encouragement for those of us who feel this call to write - He knows! I find my most productive moments of writing on my blog are after I ask HIM what I need to write and then the words begin to flow and that is very freeing indeed!
Visited the Kindred Spirit mailbox this week! My girlfriend and I set off huntin' for that mailbox and we found it underneath the flag pole tucked into the dunes. What a neat place! It was so peaceful and a great place to enjoy God's creation and hear his still small voice.
We were vacationing with some friends and took your advice on your taco recipe. Loved it! It was so easy to put in the crockpot and have that yummy smell when we returned from the beach! Thank you for sharing that recipe. It was no mess, no fuss - just great for vacation and everyone loved it!
Sweet Blessings ~
Pam
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