Publishing is scary

I am working on a new book.  The title is “Passionately Pursuing Jesus”.  It is quite different from my first book.  This book is at my editor and should be available in a few weeks.

This must be the year that God is teaching me to lay aside all my fears.  Writing is scary – especially the stuff I have written.  I’ve tried to insert personal stories from my life as examples and that is not easy for me. I’ve always been a fairly private person.

Publishing a book is scary because I will answer to God for what I write. I must be sure it is filled with His truth. What I write could affect someone for eternity. I have prayed over these books.  I’ve asked the Lord to lead me in my writing.  I know God can use these to impact the lives of other people.

I have no idea who will pick up my books and read them. I want them to be a clear message from God to them. It’s all about God getting glory and honor and praise. I pray that He hides me behind the cross and that people only see Jesus. I pray for them to be a blessing in the lives of others.

Writing the material in “Passionately Pursuing Jesus” is scary because it puts my life under a microscope. Do I walk every day like what I wrote about? Do people see obedience and faithfulness in my life? They will watch me to see if I am living up to what I wrote.

Writing the truth will bring attacks from the enemy. The calling on my life to stand for Jesus makes me a marked target. Satan will do anything to make me fall. If he can get me to fall, it will discredit anything and everything I’ve written, said, or done. I need to be sure to put my armor on every day. (Ephesians 6)

Publishing this book is scary because someone (probably lots of someones) isn’t going to like it. I can’t take their criticism personally. For some it will be too short and for others, too long.  For some it will be too much from the Bible, and for others not enough…..  too serious, not serious enough… too much application…too personal… I just need to trust it is what God wants it to be.

It’s scary because some people will read it and apply it. They will take what I’ve written and believe it and act on it. It needs to be truth not opinion. I need to take it seriously. Once the book is published and people purchase it, it’s out there.  I can’t take it back. There’s no undo. It has to be right the first time.

I am praying that God will help me accurately deliver truth.  God’s Word has the power to transform lives. I am praying to be bold, transparent, honest, courageous, and humble. I am praying that I will stand strong no matter what.  I am praying that I will only care about what my Savior thinks. I am praying that can live out what I’ve written.

I welcome your prayers….