Have you considered writing your story to bring hope to those who may have gone through the same situations and circumstances that you have been through? If not a memoir, perhaps you've thought about writing a self-help book that presents parts of your story or experience.
To write your story, you'll need a few spiritual tools that will strengthen you for the journey:
1. Prayer- Because your story may include events that caused pain and hurt, you'll need to face the fear of bringing up bad memories that could trigger post-traumatic stress. Set yourself up through prayer and meditating on God's Word before each writing session. Remember that God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7) Remember, too, that righteous anger is not sinful. You were hurt and treated poorly. Look at what David prayed about his enemies in Psalm 109: 6-8:
Appoint someone evil to oppose my enemy;
let an accuser stand at his right hand.
When he is tried, let him be found guilty,
and may his prayers condemn him.
May his days be few;
may another take his place of leadership.
David goes on and on describing what he wants to see happen to those who have wronged him. And guess what? God listened to his prayer. God can handle what we say to Him in the secret place. While you are on your knees expressing grief, mourning, and even anger, God can turn them into joy (Psalm 30:11).
2. Praise- As you begin to remember a tragedy that happened to you, keep bitterness from setting in by praising God daily. Some will use praise and worship music while others will watch the sunset. Whatever you do, keeping your mind on the goodness of God brings a heart of gratitude. Just look at the gratitude of David at the end of his prayer in Psalm 109:
With my mouth, I will greatly extol the Lord;
in the great throng of worshipers, I will praise him.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy,
to save their lives from those who would condemn them.
3. Connections- The enemy would like nothing more than for you to isolate yourself as you write this book so you can sit and relive the events that you buried. But you have spiritual brothers and sisters as well as family and friends to lean on. You will need to go to them for support to constantly remind you that you have overcome, that you are healed. Allow them to pray for you through this process. Find your circle of prayer warriors. “...pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Additionally, seeking out Christian counseling and/or mental health services may be what you need to stay mentally and spiritually well.
Writing a memoir can be stressful and sometimes overwhelming, but remember Revelations 12:10-11, particularly verse 11:
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
You are an overcomer! You have triumphed over the enemy! How? Through the blood of the Lamb and by the word of your testimony!
Here are a few other practical tips about writing a memoir.
Be specific about your story and who might want to read it. Who do you want to help? What is it about the story that will help your audience?
Discover yourself. Who are you, and what happened to you that will inspire your audience? How can you, as a person, engage your audience?
What was the problem or what were the problems that you are addressing in your story? Rather than starting at the day that you were born, zero in on what it is that caused your transformation.
Do you need help writing your book? I'd love to be a part of your process. Click below to set up a FREE interest meeting where we will discuss your book idea and whether I'm the right writing coach for you.
