When was the last time you needed to take time to rest your mind?

This may sound like a sure would be nice kind of question, but I’ve been grappling with this question lately.

In my last post, I talked about feeling like my brain ran out of words after finishing my first manuscript on time.

I’ve studied writing for a long time and this topic has not come up. Maybe I’m just being lazy, acting entitled because “I just wrote a book?”

Nah.

I know the Holy Spirit authored the book, but that didn’t mean the process was easy.

It was the hardest work I’ve ever done. And the best. The most precious.

Friends,  peek behind the scenes of writing my first book. Most of these lessons apply to life, not just writing.

Writing Holy in the Moment has been a tremendous walk of faith, daily putting one foot in front of the other on a high wire of faith–because that’s where the Holy Spirit creates–at least for me in this book.

As a blogger, used to writing 500-800 words at a time, I definitely experienced a learning curve in working with a long-form project.

Fueled by the faithful prayer of many, I didn’t write this book in the comfort of what I knew I could do, the ease of “I’ve got this.” So to all of you who have prayed for me, I am tremendously grateful for your prayer.

What began years ago as an idea for a simple devotional expanded to a full-on, non-fiction book, a manifesto of living holy, loving well, and finding freedom from the things that keep us stuck.

(Click on the gratitude graphic for a free download).

I’m grateful for the entire process and I’m looking forward to the next step of this adventure, as the book has just been sent for the copy edit, having been approved by my editor. Another big Woohoo!

Holy in the Moment shares the life message of what God has been teaching me through deep struggles with anxiety that have plagued me far too often over the years.

Sacred ground of God’s work in my life, each page is an offering of personal stories, truths, lessons learned, and practical steps God has worked into my life as I’ve become aware of the deep cost of the pressure of perfectionism and the fear of rejection.

Relying on Christ in the moment is a holy choice that makes a practical difference in every area of life.

Friends, the tension between fear and holiness wasn’t in my outline, but I’m thankful the Holy Spirit had a deeper intention. God has made me brave in the writing of the book, for the go-to of my flesh is to keep my inner-crazy to myself, thank you very much!

So all this to say, I’m learning that writing a God-driven book begins and ends with following His lead. You may start with a firm outline, but allowing the Holy Spirit to highjack your plan will take you places you never expected to write.

You will not write on your timetable or comfort level–and yet God knows exactly what He’s doing and He will not be late.

I hope I’m learning lasting lessons about taking life and work one day at a time at the pace the Holy Spirit sets. About working in faith and being able to choose to rest in trust even when the process doesn’t look like I anticipated.

And isn’t it just like God to ensure that I have to apply the premise of the book as I write each chapter?

Why is this? I think it is because God takes the time to work a book into your life before it ever comes out on a page. That’s why the process isn’t quick or easy.

I wouldn’t want it any other way. Not really.

Trusting God in the process of our work is a concept that applies to relationships, jobs, parenting, marriage, and every meaningful area of life, because walking by faith means…

working by faith

loving by faith

writing by faith

parenting by faith

growing by faith

_____ by faith (fill in the blank)

Learn to let the Holy Spirit lead, trusting Him with the journey, the direction, and the results.

[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#HolyintheMoment”]Each time we choose to trust God with the process and the outcome, we choose holy in the moment.[/tweetthis]

Are you in a season of intense work in some area of your life? Trust God with your work today. With each new day, make the holy choice to trust Him again.