What My Characters Teach Me About Trusting God

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.

What My Characters Teach Me About Trusting God

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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 our 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?

Comments 21

  1. Trust in people can be hard but I am so blessed that I know I can trust fully in God. Your lessons learned from you characters are an encouragement and an excellent reminder to me todau. Especially this one – I need to obey Him even if I don’t understand. I’m walking beside a dear friend through an extremely difficult time that I definitely don’t understand and am being challenged to obey God in ways that are new and challenging. But I’m praying to our faithful God and asking Him to make me faithful.

    I’m also praying for you and your loved ones in the loss of your precious husband.

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    1. Noelle, thank you. Tonight I was thinking about all the challenges/struggles I’d faced throughout my life. Each one, God grew me. He walked with me and picked me up when I stumbled. Through every adversity, I’ve been able to help someone who shared the same problem. Our God is good!

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  2. DiAnn, You have a gift from God to say, with the right words and feeling, the thoughts and struggles I and many others deal with in this world. Thank you for your faithfulness to God and His calling for you.

    Just last week I heard some wise words on the subject of trust: Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs. Simple but profound.

    I am so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. I pray God’s peace, the peace that passes all understanding, be in you and your family today and in the weeks and months to come. Know you are loved.

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  3. HELP and Thank YOU, in Jesus’ Name are words I use frequently.
    I didn’t know your husband had gone to be with the LORD. May the LORD hold you tightly in HIS arms.
    My husband went to be with Jesus 25 years ago……can’t wait to see him again!!!
    Be BLESSED today, in Jesus’ Name.

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      1. Thanks for asking. My new heart valve is working well and I’m feeling pretty well.
        I have to take an aspirin to thin my blood for the rest of my life,but that’s not a problem. My heart Dr. and the Hospital Dr. wanted me to take aspirin in the morning and Plavix (a blood thinner also) at night, but that didn’t work. I started bleeding behind my right eye and rectally so I quit taking the Plavix!! I wouldn’t like having to go take blood transfusions periodically. I still feel tired most of the time….but….I am old:~)) I will be 92 on Jan. 5!!! People that old should feel tired:~))
        I pray Jesus will come get us soon. I have SO many loved ones there. Can’t wait to meet my Father who died 3 months before I was born……my Mother and hopefully all my siblings.
        Dear Father, please hold DiAnn in Your arms of love and grace giving the comfort that only you can give in this time of heart pain for the loss of her sweetheart, in Jesus’ precious name……..Thank You LORD!

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          Vonda, You are an inspiration to all of us! God’s not done with us yet, and that means we have purpose in Him! Praying for your health – and for your January 5th birthday.

          Celebrate! And Jesus, please come soon.

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  4. Dear DiAnn
    Our journey through life is often not what we expected, yet Our God constantly, unconditionally and consistently guides us. Without my belief in His power, authority , grace and forgiveness, I would be a broken me.
    Thank you for sharing your faith, your love with so many of us as we journey through life.
    We don’t do this alone.
    Blessings my friend and love.

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  5. Your steps of faith were quite profound, DiAnn. One of my favorite phrases that I repeat in difficult times, is “ I trust you, God. I trust you.” However, your steps listed today expanded my thoughts on this. It’s not just for the present and future, but often includes the past. I never thought of that before.
    Thank you for living for Jesus in action, words and ministry. You have made a difference in my life.
    Bless you.

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  6. I have & love all your books & grow spiritual too. My husband & I have our daily devotions & it keeps us trusting & obeying. I look forward to another book maybe next year! Love, thanks & blessings!

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  7. I love your books and Lisa Phillips Coleen Coble and Christy Barrett because of what yall teach about trusting and not being afraid of just tell life and where we should run too always in all thing’s!
    Thank you for taking me away and lots of times helping me through it by reminding me…

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    1. I didn’t proofread
      I misspelled a word or too
      Bottom line is I love the Christian Faith books..Just can’t get into the others even the cozy books
      They always sneak something into the words of the stories that just stop me from reading further
      Judy

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  8. Thank you for living out your faith in God, DiAnn. He shines through you and how you handle life’s hardships. May God bless you during this very hard season. Love you!

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  9. Very good advice. I love your breakdown of steps to grow in faith.
    So sorry for your losing your husband. You are one strong lady! Blessings!

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