Forgive Yourself.

"Forgive yourself."

SOMEDAYS you write crap. I learned this writing fiction. Unlike many authors who plot their books, mine are all spontaneous. They come as the result of asking questions about people’s behavior. What would he or she do next? Given the tension or lack of it, what makes the most sense? Today, this lesson came into focus for me on a personal level. Because in real life, somedays you write crap. You ask the questions, you go forward doing what seems logical, then realize it’s all a jumbled mess.

I’m particular about my writing. It has to be on a certain level and done in a certain way for me to post or publish it. To the point I’ve even refused to post what God said was okay. But “okay” isn’t okay with me. I can do better than that. You can see the problem now. Set the bar too high and you’ll fall short of it. The good news is, no one really knows how hard it was or how long it took me, either in writing or in real life. There are things I’ve seen, things I’ve endured that will never leave my memories. I’m sure you can say the same thing. But I’m here to tell you it’s okay when it’s crap. Don’t beat yourself up. It wasn’t a waste of time.

Thinking of writing again, when you spend a day writing what isn’t going to work, you know not to go in that direction again. At other times, what develops is outstanding, and you can’t believe it. I remember when a character jumped off a parking garage. I’ve never been more surprised, but at that point in the story, given where her mind was at, there was no other reaction. There is one in real life. We are told to cast our cares on Jesus, and that means deliberately not thinking about it (1 Peter 5:7). Forgive yourself. Remind yourself there’s no condemnation from Him, then do something to take your mind off of it.

I don’t impale myself over a bad day’s writing anymore, I just dismiss it. Even when it means I’ve missed a goal. I am time-oriented for these posts. I hate last minute. But some days, after working and eating, letting the dog in and letting the dog out, I’m ten p.m. getting my thoughts in line. God deserves my whole day. He deserves my entire heart. He deserves my adoration, even in the mess-ups.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1 KJV)

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com

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