Each author goes about the writing process differently. Many spend weeks or months planning and laying out each chapter of the book they are drafting. Me? I have a solid idea of where the story needs to end up based on the spiritual theme of the book, but a general idea of how to get there.
That means my chapters or scenes may take a drastic turn when life happens, which it always does.
I chose a well-known verse for the spiritual theme of A Deeper Love,* which releases on October 31 by Celebrate Lit Publishing.
“So we know and believe the love God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” RSV I John 4:16.
The spiritual theme in the above verse seems straightforward, no matter what version you read. It should be easy for Christians to accept who God is and how He loves us. We should not struggle to accept the love and grace God gives. When living close to the Lord, we receive or accept what is going on in our lives because we believe and trust in the sovereignty of God.
If we are confident of God’s love, provision, and direction in our lives, even when we cannot see Him at work, it is easier to trust Him. No matter the challenge of the situation, we can be confident God is always in control of our present and future circumstances.
Until we don’t.
I went through a challenging season when writing A Deeper Love and experienced a season of doubt where 1 John 4:16 was anything but easy to accept and understand. Where was God as I called out to Him? I struggled to acknowledge what was going on in my life as His direction and provision.
Until I watched it play out in my character’s life and saw God at work behind the scenes.
My characters come alive when I allow God to show Himself to them. I let my heroes and heroines experience the raw emotions of life, the hand of God, and sometimes the wrath of God. Readers tell me this enables them to encounter God in a new way. Being intimately involved in the character’s trial and God’s ultimate solution often brings the reader to an awareness of who God is and how He interacts with each of us.
Each of us.
Me included.
I gave my characters in A Deeper Love some of the emotions I was dealing with and waited to see what God would do. It is easier to see a solution to someone else’s problem than it is our own. Sure enough, before long, I was processing my issue through my heroine and hero.
Characters are fictional…well, most of the time. I know they are not real, but they feel real and relatable when I’ve done an exceptional job crafting them. I understand their struggles. That is when God says, “See, I’m here. You just had to step back and see Me from a different angle.”
Isn’t it just like God to love us so deeply He is willing to abide in us until we look outside ourselves and see Him in every detail?
Where are you struggling today? Do you need encouragement? May I recommend a Facebook Reader group? I know that’s odd, but let me share my reasoning. There are seasons when I need to not focus on my situation and see how God shows up and solves a problem in someone else’s life. Just as an aside, more often than not, it isn’t the situation that needs fixing; it’s me.
Avid Readers of Christian Fiction** is a wonderful and safe place to ask 25,500 other readers and authors for suggestions on books about any topic. Sometimes, searching past posts will give you many reading options on the issue you seek. It is always a blessing to someone else when YOU recommend a book that might help them.
If you are struggling today and need prayer, please contact me. I would be honored to intercede for you. Whatever you do, be confident of God’s love, provision, and direction in your life, even when you cannot see Him at work.
I’d also enjoy hearing what books brought you to a place where you experienced God differently. Please leave a comment below.
Take advantage of the discounted price on A Deeper Love while you can. The preorder price is $2.99 for the eBook. You can also purchase the paperback for a 30% discount and free shipping during the preorder phase.
A Deeper Love is a part of the Suamalie Island Series of Christian Contemporary novels. It releases October 31, 2023.
*Please note this is an affiliate link. As always, it costs you nothing extra, and it all goes to my chocolate fund.
**I am a member of the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction as a reader and author only and do not receive anything for recommending this Facebook reader group.