By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
My characters struggle throughout every story. They have a problem to solve or a goal to reach, and nothing about their chosen path comes easily. Along the way they react with emotions shaped by their personality, culture, backstory, DNA, education, and a countless other factors that influence their reactions and behaviors to the world around them. Sometimes they wonder why they accepted the challenge. They want to quit, and they are exhausted. Yet, despite the odds and the many times they fall, they press on.
A trait for Christian characters is they always change and grows spiritually while walking through an adventure. They are stretched beyond what they ever imagined possible and discovered inner strength they didn’t know existed. Those new understandings are linked to their relationship with God. They will never be the same again. And they wouldn’t want to be.
Many times, I unconsciously place my Christian characters in the same spiritual dilemma that mirrors my struggles. Often after I’ve completed the book, I see how I’ve worked through personal problems while writing theirs.
Repeatedly, God has shown me His perspective is far more powerful. Trust is always the key that unlocks are relationship with God.
- I need to trust God completely in all things.
- I need to obey Him even if I don’t understand.
- I need faith to overcome impossible hurdles.
- I need to forgive someone.
- I need to ask for forgiveness.
- I need to walk through a fire with someone I don’t like.
- I need to put the past in my rearview mirror.
- I need to take a leap of faith.
When we use our faith and cling to God’s Word, we are on the right path. For those who are not writers, journaling accomplishes the same purpose. We can record instances, our reactions, conversations, victories, defeats, regrets, setting and the various emotions that accompany the happenings in our lives. The process provides the spiritual growth we need to see God at work and grow closer to Him.
How are you building your trust in God today?
