In this space, WestBow Press publishes articles written by our authors in which they share some aspect of their self-publishing journey. The following blog is from Codi Gandee, author of “#Winning: Wisdom for God’s Warriors” and “Selfless in a Selfie World: Before Honor is Humility” For more information on the author visit her website, Facebook, and Twitter. To begin your self-publishing journey, get a free WestBow Press publishing guide today.
“For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in a demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” I Corinthians 2:2-5 KJV
Guided by God’s Strength
The joy that I felt at the beginning of my writing process quickly evolved into a burden. Each day I struggled to find time to give to prayer, study, and writing. My eagerness, commitment and desire to follow through with the vision in my heart began to falter. Truly I was a weakened vessel, doubting at times if the labor the Lord had given me would ever come to pass.
But on the days that I allowed God’s strength to guide me, I was completely overwhelmed by His presence. Some days all I could do was pray. Other days I would squeak out only one paragraph. Countless hours were spent meditating on what the Lord was wanting me to write. However, every time I followed through by either just being still enough to listen or to sit down with my Bible and computer the Lord would intervene and provide exactly what was needed at the time.
Published with God’s Help
It was at these times that I felt unexplainably grateful that God would use me to be a vessel for Him. The words He was giving me would give glory to Jesus. After two years of battling, I finally submitted #Winning to WestBow Press. I was completely ecstatic that the manuscript was turned in; not because I had hopes of making a bestseller list, but because I could live in peace knowing that I had completed the work that the Lord had given me. I could close out that chapter of my life accepting that I had glorified God simply because I was obedient to His will.
Press On
I have shared this to encourage those that are experiencing struggles within their own writing process. If you are writing because the Lord has laid it on your heart, then I can guarantee that the process won’t be easy. But I can also promise that seeing the finished product will most definitely be worth your perseverance. Remind yourself that even in your weakness God is willing to strengthen you for His glory. You will never regret giving to the world what the Lord has given to you.
WestBow Press authors who’d like to share a 350-600 word experience related to the self-publishing of their books are invited to do so through the Blog Guidelines Page. WestBow Press reserves the right to edit stories for content, grammar, punctuation, and length.