I have often heard the comment that being an author is not for the fainthearted – and I would tend to agree. There is so much uncertainty in the book world at the moment, with the advent of e-books and the recent economic crisis. And as an Australian Christian novelist, it is a challenge at times to stay positive when bookstores seem to be ordering fewer Australian novels from Australian publishers, opting instead for the cheaper overseas product. Yet there is a market here for good Australian novels, I believe – everywhere I speak and offer my books for sale, people seem happy to find something different written by a ‘home-grown’ author.
So how can I and others in similar situations remain positive and hopeful, rather than succumb to gloom and despair and give up? Well, this week I read some verses in Philippians 4 that challenged me all over again in this regard. In verses 6-7 we read:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understand, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I want to be a person of peace, don’t you? I want to remain focussed on Jesus, trusting him to use whatever I write for his purposes. I believe I am doing what he wants me to do, so my role is to write and speak to the best of my ability, but also to surround everything in prayer, constantly bringing my concerns to him rather than allow myself to be consumed with worry and negative thoughts. And I need to be thankful too for all he has done for me already, not only in regard to my novels, but even more importantly in my whole life.
There are some ancient words of meditation I often use as I sit at my desk that ground me in God’s peace and remind me of the ‘big picture’ truths about who I am in God. They go like this:
God is with me now, closer than breathing
And nearer than hands and feet
God has made me for Himself
I come from God
I belong to God
I go to God
God knows me
God loves me
God has a use for me
Now and forever
I can say those words and know they are truth because Jesus came to this world and died for me – and for you. As I remain in Christ Jesus, God will watch over me and will guard my heart and mind, as Philippians 4:7 says. Because I belong to a totally wise and loving God, I don’t have to lose heart. Because God is with me in every way and in everything and has a purpose for my life, I don’t have to live with a mind in turmoil. God’s peace is there for me to embrace – a peace that defies explanation and is way beyond our understanding.
So I’m going to pray for our Australian Christian publishers and booksellers. And I will keep on writing my novels and be at peace as I do. And may the God of peace be with you too, whatever God has called you to do in your life.
Well done Jo-Anne – I am sure your words will bring encouragement to others in similar situations. Love, Joan
Thanks, Joan – I needed the encouragement myself today, with an interesting phone conversation with my publisher! That’s often how God works, I find – what I end up writing in my blogs is really meant for me!
Love’Jo-Anne
Hi Jo-Anne, I’m a new Australian Christian author writing Women’s Fiction. Your post has been a great encouragement to me today as I try and wait patiently for a publisher to make a decision on a full manuscript that was requested.
Thank you.
Hi Laura
So glad you were encouraged by my ‘peace post’! Please let me know what happens with your manuscript – I can certainly identify with how you must be feeling. By the way, did you know that the title of my most recently published novel is ‘Laura’?! If you’re interested, you can find out more on my website, http://www.jo-anneberthelsen.com. God bless.