No matter how hard you try – and you pray – do you ever feel like you’re up against a brick wall? Is the breakthrough you need, whether it be in your finances, relationships, or writing, alluding you?
A week and a half ago I got home at 2:30 am from the Colorado Christian Writers Conference exhausted but praising God. He did meet us on the mountain and enabled us to overcome the obstacles we encountered. From a squirrel chewing through an electric line that left a major portion of the YMCA campus without power the first day of the conference, to a printer that was delivered but lost, to the intense behind-the-scene challenges and time pressures, He was with us.
Now I’m facing more challenges for the August 1-4 Philly conference. Again the greatest challenge is the conference website. I get a runtime error that crashes Expression Web whenever I try to make a change and save a page. Online registration is not working, but I am unable to add a note to say early registration will be extended until June 15 and to please try again. I’m exasperated, frustrated, discouraged, and disheartened.
I can identify with the Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:8. I do feel “pressed on every side by troubles” and “perplexed because [I] don’t know why things happen as they do.” Yet I’m reminded of Peter’s words that “These trials are only to test [my] faith to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it – and [my] faith is far more precious to God than mere gold” (1 Peter 1:7 TLB).
The bottom line is that you and I have an adversary who “prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart” (1 Peter 5:8 TLB). The more we seek to serve the Lord, the more fiercely he will attack us.
Father, please help me and everyone reading this to “stand firm when he attacks” (1 Peter 1:8 TLB) and to trust You. Thank You that we do not need to be “crushed and broken” or to “give up and quit” (2 Cor. 4:8 TLB). Thank You that Jesus already won the victory on the cross. Thank You for Your power that is incredibly great to help those who believe in You (Eph. 1:19). Build our faith muscles, and in Your strength help us to scale every wall (Psalm 18:29) and to offer You our sacrifice of praise by telling others of the glory of Your name (Heb. 13:15) not just after, but before the needed breakthrough.
P.S. CDs of the keynotes, workshops, and continuing sessions (except “Please, NO Pat Answers”) are available. An order form will be posted at www.writehisanswer.com/Colorado as soon as the website problems are resolved.
Write His Answer 
. . . telling others the glory of His name (before the breakthrough!) and scaling walls with you, dear friend . . .in His power, together.
Dear Marlene, words spoken at the Estes Conference were never truer as I experienced one of the saddest evenings of my life. We were just arriving and the speaker felt let to share that we needed to be on our guard from the enemies of our souls. My phone rang and I felt so embarrassed to have the darn thing interrupt. I always remember to turn it off. But…this time I left it on. You see my little brother was missing and I hoped it wouldn’t ring but indeed it did and I left the assembly to answer the call.
Dan’s body was found, his spirit left our earth three weeks earlier. Needles to say, I was in a blur on and off but several prayed including my husband and sisters (related and some at the conference). They all felt I should stay and go to Montana later, I struggled, but knew they were right. God had something to say. I can’t tell you how much this conference meant to me and how I grew.
My brother was born in Craig, just over the mountain from where we were and when I was alone, I was submerged in tears as memories kept coming. But God provided just the right people at the right time and the love of others was a comfort. I’m very grateful. So many of the subjects that you offered at this conference were acted out for me as I tried hard to learn so I believe Jesus actually gave me a double teaching. I had prayed before I came that I could apply what I learned in my own personal writing life. In a strange way that I would have never expected, He did just that for me.
God is still on the throne and God’s artisans are still writing about His love and care.
I thank you and your hard working staff for all that you do at your conferences, especially this one. I’m so happy that you all made yourselves available to meet and hug. I am praying against the adversary and for you all to come through the smoke, smelling like Roses, (Lilacs) as you succeed at the Philly Conference. I’m Praising God right now too! 🙂 Hugs and Blessings your way.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Oh Paulette . . . may the God of all comfort continue to surround you and your family.
I’m in the process of publishing my third book which seems to be going on forever. There have been many obstacles both that have given me much joy and others testing my patience but then I’m reminded of the scripture James 1:4 that when trouble comes your way be joyful your test has come and the Lord is equipping you with endurance and patience both the character of the Son. Shall it bring me much excitement to know that God wants me to succeed in this life and that I’m using everything He equipped me for to encourage those who have lost hope. Let me strive forth for the higher gift of eternal life promised to Him who suffered that I may live in Him forever.
Thanks for sharing, Monica. I’m reminded of 1 Peter 1:7 (TLB) – “These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return. and how the testing of our faith is more precious than gold.” Father, please use the obstacles to strengthen our faith muscles.