Guess what!! I have some exciting news! My publisher at Zoe Grace Publishing announced the estimated release date for Banderidge, book one of the Evie Series, will be April 1st! I know that is April Fool’s Day, but this is not a joke. I cannot believe it is finally happening. To God be the glory!!
Of course, with this great news and people asking if I am going to do a launch party/book signing party (which, being a newbie, I never thought of) came a whole new round of attacks.
I researched what others do for a launch party. What exactly this means, what it entails, how to do a good one, etc. Then the enemy warmed up his engine again. I am so sick of his tricks. Of course, since we were well acquainted for so many years, he knows where to hit me. Stress has always been an issue, but so much worse back then. He started his raspy whispering which stirs up anxiety in me and results in stress. Let me tell you, he will hit us where it hurts, the area that tempts us to quit.
Once we live in peace, he will toss chaos at us any chance he can. After living in peace, I have no desire for chaos and “hell” in my life. I avoid drama, chaos, tension, etc. I will avoid what makes me anxious and stressed for peace in a heartbeat.
But God. He knows His plan for me, and He knows I am human–things that could absolutely clash if I were not in His will and surrendered to Him. If I were to battle this alone, I would quit writing and go back to working full time outside the home, then I would not worry about all the things I do not know about writing and marketing.
But God. He comes in with a soft, gentle whisper reminding me I am His daughter and that I do not have to do everything the world says to do or how they do it. He tells me to look back over the past four and a half years at what He has done, all the ways He was there once I gave control back to Him. Each time I tried to lead, I would find myself anxious, stressed, beat down, and ready to give up. Once I got to the point of exhaustion and I stepped aside, He came in and took the lead again. He told me that I am me and to just be me, and He will take care of the rest. It is so much easier His way.
Please learn from me. Skip all the messy stuff and let God lead you. Would it not be beautiful to skip the anxiety, stress, and exhaustion and continue living in peace? Pray for me because as much as I want to live in peace, sometimes I am a slow learner. Peace, my friends!
Check out these great scriptures: Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 6:32b-33
Such wisdom.I have to Push myself to follow His will and not my own!!
Thank you for reading my article! Yes! Every day is a new opportunity to fight the flesh and follow His will. You can do it!