I woke up on the couch the other morning. I’ve stayed up late reading the past few nights and on this one my sweet family had covered me with a sleeping bag and turned out the lights. It was perhaps the coldest day of the year in New York and the heater in our living room wasn’t working. I’d fallen asleep lost in the words of Madeline L’Engle, warmed by the truth she shared from this quote by Anton Chekhov.
“You must once and for all give up being worried about success and failures. Don’t let that concern you. It’s your duty to go on working steadily day by day, quite quietly, to be prepared for mistakes,which are inevitable, and for failures.”
My writing soul needs to hear that.
And the timely messages from two friends on voxer “Keep writing”. “Don’t back away from it.”
I’d wanted to write but doubt does a number on me sometimes. I get quiet. Every word gets shut up behind an impenetrable shell of steel. Vaulted.
September McCarthy announced some of the session leaders for the next Raising Generations Today conference this week. I’m one of them. Seeing my face attached to a lineup of so many godly women opened the door for comparison and doubt. I struggled with feeling flawed and unworthy – with wondering if I’d meet expectations.
My writing soul got quiet. My soul gets quiet because I know the weight of words. I know how words can breathe life into a woman crushed by loss, grief….doubt. I know words have the power to reignite dreams. I know words can lead a soul to the very throne of God. My enemy knows that too.
I marinated in this space…feeling defeated. But I shouldn’t. And you shouldn’t either. Maybe that pause isn’t all bad. Behind every holy hard word is a story. And your unique experience makes you the only one to tell it. It’s His job to do the work of releasing it. He’ll do that through you. He’ll forge a path. You…do the work of being committed through quiet preparation – through prayer.
This year, as you make plans to accept invitations, ask about opportunities…put yourself out there in ways that call for increased faith – let this be encouragement for your writing soul.
The stilling of your soul is a time to get closer to God. He doesn’t give us a spirit of fear. And those feelings are all about the “no you can’t, you’ll fail. You…should be afraid.” And That’s not God. Mark the moment of silence as the beginning of a journey. God promises dreams and witty inventions. Open yourself to His creative ability. Build yourself up in His righteousness and qualifications only He can give. It’s more important than ever to discern His voice and the only way to do that is to get quiet so you can hear.
“I will climb up into my watchtower…” – Habakkuk 2:1
“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16
Jesus made it a habit to steal away with His father and the Prophet Habakkuk used wisdom when he made it his business to get alone with God. They didn’t resist but rather, invited this time of solitude.
This time around I won’t resist the setting apart for a stretch of silence. I’ll use the time to hear. To remember – to prepare for the birthing of something beautiful.
Enough talk for the night.
He is laboring in me;
I need to be silent
for a while,
worlds are forming
in my heart.
Meister Eckhart
Let your handmaiden find grace in your sight…#GiveMeGrace
♥
I love the chance to get quiet so I can hear. Your words are so encouraging tonight. Just sitting so God can speak truths into our souls, reminders that we need not fear and that we are loved. Those are truths that feed our souls and empower us to step out in faith. Thank you LIsha! Come on over and link up to The Weekend Brew. Your words will bless many.
Mary Geisen recently posted…Woven Stories of Grace…The Weekend Brew
As they say…”preaching to myslef”. It’s a timely word as we begin dreaming for the new year. Blessing to you Mary as you lean and listen to what God has planned for you.
There’s only one YOU! God’s anointing can only be on the real you. Just be you and write/speak what God puts on your heart and all will be well. Trust His work and word in you and through you!
Elizabeth Stewart recently posted…John 17:23…
I know that Elizabeth, I think most of us do. Sometimes we just need to hear it spoken over our souls. Hence the power of words. Thanks for doing that for me today. I’m looking forward to what God will do this year…In all of us.
Lisha, May I use your own words to encourage you? This is truth right here >> “And your unique experience makes you the only one to tell it.” There’s only one you with your experiences & someone will need to hear exactly what you share. Thank you for encouraging so many of us to keep on doing that which God puts before us. Blessings!
Joanne Viola recently posted…5: Of Prayer, Joy, Words & Greatness
Thanks for pointing it back to me Joanne. I receive it. This post was born from a heart talk I had with myself the other day. Had preach a little truth to myself. Hopefully it’s encouraging to others. Happy Sunday!
Thanks for this word. I am learning to embrace the quiet for it is in those moments that He is best heard. Appreciate your encouragement, Lisha!
Holly Barrett recently posted…Unrolling the scroll
The quiet scared me at first. The enemy used it to jump in with nothing but negativity. When I made a conscious effort to shut that down I could hear Gods still small voice. ..speaking life. I’m excited about the conference. I know God is doing a new thing. Blessings Holly!
Hi Lish, I love this. It is refreshing. I also slowed down to get filled up and also allow the Holy Spirit teach me more.
God Bless you.
http://purposefulandmeaningful.blogspot.com/
Ifeoma Samuel recently posted…Into the Unknown : BY CARLA GASSER
Hi Ifeoma! I usually see the stepping away from work or life as a positive thing. But lately I get quiet and feel like I CAN’T speak and it’s only because of fear. Sort of flipping the switch on silence this time by using as a time to fill me up with more of the good God So graciously gives. Thanks for stopping by.
Lisha! I always read here but have never linked up before. This week’s post was just right on your usual theme. May it be the first of many. And I’m very good company for quiet. To rest is one of the most difficult and countercultural ways we live into our faith.
Esther Emery recently posted…A Plea For Grace, and Some Discussion of What Grace Really Is
I’m happy to see you Esther. You must have felt my heart stirring as I wrote. Yours is one of the Voxer messages that encouraged me. It was stamped Dec. 9 and somehow I’d missed it. Your words that morning were a sure comfort. A safe space and encouragement to keep pressing on. Praying His blessing upon you friend. HAPPY Sunday!
Oh, Lisha. This is exactly the message I needed to hear this weekend. Thank you. Bless you.
Sheila Seiler Lagrand recently posted…Weekend Reflection: Imperfect Beauty
Receive it Sheila. I think we all need to hear it from time to time.
I needed this gift of words, a reminder that the waiting and the longing is all in Him. Thank you, Lisha. God is going to touch hearts with your hunger for hope and your thirst for righteousness… you shine for Him.
Blessings,
Dawn
Dawn recently posted…For the days you need to remember who you are…
Thank you Dawn! Everything is divine appointment and He wastes nothing. Not even the quiet.
[…] I linked up this week with a Sunday morning link-up at Lisha Epperson’s place, called #GiveMeGrace. Lots of beautiful, powerful faith words over there. Go check it out, and if you’re a faith blogger, consider linking up! http://seespeakhearmama.com/2015/01/10/give-grace-encouragement-writing-soul/ […]
Lisha,
I love that you are writing and that you’ll be a featured speaker…God’s grace is sufficient and I know you’ll be fabulous but I totally understand feeling inadequate and how that can be a struggle.
Dolly@Soulstops recently posted…This is a tough subject (& 6 Ways You can Help)
I’m learning the questions and excitement are part of the journey. But He’s watering the dry areas of doubt with fresh encouragement. Thanks for stopping by Dolly!
Oh how the enemy of our soul wants us to feel defeated. Grateful for you, Lisha, and the call on your life. Your words are gift. To God be the glory! xoxox
Patricia @ Pollywog Creek recently posted…I {LOVE} Sunday::to hold fast…
I won’t let it get me down Patricia! It all came down to recognizing His voice and He would never speak such negativity. We are qualified through Him. PERIOD. Thanks for being here while I process this here’s hoping there was something in it for you too. Happy Sunday!
[…] Thankful to share with Sunday Stillness and Give Me Grace […]
Loved this…for my own writing soul and to get a better glimpse of how to pray for you as you prepare for #RGTembrace. You are suited to display the glory of God.
Grateful you received encouragement Jennifer. So often we look for approval from people when God’s already said yes. We measure ourselves through comparison when God’s said I’ve called YOU. Friend, I can preach on this one because it’s something I have to learn over and over again. Thanks for visiting and for that last line of encouragement. I love it.
Thank you for these words. It’s far too easy sometimes to believe that because it’s hard to write, we don’t have enough faith… Or maybe that’s the years of fundamentalism speaking it’s healing to know that others out there are wrestling the doubt.
Kylie recently posted…In which I always have to go back.
Wrestling and learning to let go Kylie. The work belongs to him. All of it. Thanks for reading and commenting. I really appreciate it.
[…] Encouragement for Your Writing Soul, by Lisha Epperson with her Give Me Grace series where she says, “This year, as you make plans to accept invitations, ask about opportunities…put yourself out there in ways that call for increased faith – let this be encouragement for your writing soul.” […]
Thank you for sharing the quote at the beginning. It’s a good reminder that we need to keep on writing not worrying about successes or failures, but just keep going. I like this:”The stilling of your soul is a time to get closer to God. ” Sometime when I think I should write but can’t think of what to write, it means I need to get alone with God and be still. Thank you for reminding me of that and for the encouragement you give here.
Gayl Wright recently posted…Empower: Give Yourself Grace
Hey Gayl, it’s so important to not focus on success but that’s wheat writing in the blogosphere does. We follow and applaud the accomplishments of writers and wonder… What about me? And then we’re afforded an opportunity and the first thing the enemy does is throw in an overwhelming measure of doubt. That cycle is crazy and it’s not what God wants. Do the work, prayerfully submit and let it go. God is consistently honing our abilities and growing us in what he’s called us to do. Yes…be still.