Super Surrendered Strength
by Tracie Miles
I remember this so clearly. It was Mother’s Day 2012, months after my nervous breakdown. I was on the mend, doing well, and I heard a whisper from the Lord: “I want you to write about your story.” I said to my husband, who was sitting on the driveway with me, “Honey, I think God just told me to write about my diagnosis with severe panic and anxiety disorder.” He looked at me with a smile and said, “Well, you better get started.”
I have to admit, “You better get started” was not the answer I was looking for. I had a million reasons in my head why writing about my diagnosis was not only foolish but absolutely ridiculous, too! Foolish because I believed the lie that I was not equipped, trained, educated or smart enough to be a writer. Ridiculous because I believed the lie that no one would ever listen to or learn from what I would have to write about.
The truth is, when God calls you to something, He is not looking for your human, worldly, super strength. He is looking for your super surrendered strength. Need we forget that His power is made perfect in our weakness? (2 Corinthians 12:9) Did you catch that? Our weakness is when He shows up strong.
You know what is ridiculous and foolish? Thinking we have to show up to write and have it all together. I’m not downplaying education and practice in the craft of writing, not for a second. But what I am highlighting is writing from a place of surrender. With every click of the keyboard, you walk in step with the Lord to help guide you and lead you to write whatever He is calling you to share. He is faithful to provide all that you need in the writing process.
I’m happy to report that I was obedient back in 2012. I was afraid to put myself out there, but I did it afraid and trusted God with the outcome. That simple act of obedience grew into more opportunities. Today, I’m currently working my way through Lysa TerKeurst and Meredith Brock’s COMPEL Book Proposal Bootcamp. In a sea of 800-plus applicants, I was one of the 100 chosen. How did that even come about? I heard the whisper of the Lord again: “Christy, you need to apply for this Bootcamp.”
What is the Lord whispering to your heart to write about? What fears have gotten in the way of your obedience? Won’t you surrender all that today and take my husband’s advice: “You better get started.”
By Christy Boulware, COMPEL Training member
Tracie Miles
Tracie Miles has been the Director of COMPEL Training at Proverbs 31 Ministries since January 2017. She is also the author of seven bestselling books, including Living Unbroken, Love Life Again, Unsinkable Faith, Stress Less Living and Your Life Still Counts. She is the founder of the national Living Unbroken Divorce Recovery Program. Tracie is also a contributing author to the popular Zondervan NIV Women's Devotional Bible and a monthly contributing writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Encouragement for Today daily devotions, which reach over 4.5 million people per day around the globe. Tracie has three grown children and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can connect with Tracie on her blog at www.traciemiles.com, as well as on Facebook, Instagram, and her popular “Surviving Divorce” Facebook group.
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You’ve proven Christy, that vulnerability is indeed a strength, and that God’s power is put on display best, when His children obey. He is glorified through our obedience, though we feel weak and fearful. God bless you In your endeavours.
I absolutely love Super Surrendered Strength! This is amazing and powerful, and I hope to read more of your story one day, Ms. Boulware. Your words are thought provoking and encouraging–thank you.