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27 – The Unexpected Deep of a Writers Conference
How often have you heard it: You need to go to a writers conference? And it’s absolutely true. You can find so much at conferences: teaching, fellowship, networking…all wonderful things to help you in this writing journey. But there are other things you can find at conferences. Things you won’t see on any of the brochures or websites. Things that, if you’re not prepared for them, can land you smack-dab in the middle of the deep.
Things like: insecurity, jealousy, envy, fear, offense, criticism, careless comments, doubt, fatigue, depression, discouragement.
Doesn’t compute, does it? That a place where people are focused on helping you do this task God has given you, on helping you share His truths and stories, could hold such hard, deep things? So why does that happen? Most often, it’s because of wrong focus and unrealistic expectations. So how can you avoid the pitfalls—the deep, hard places—at writers conferences? Simple: go deep with God beforehand and prepare yourself spiritually for what He has in store for you.
Don’t let the enemy steal what God has for you at writers conferences
How to Spiritually Prepare for a Writers Conference
- Realize the NEED to spiritually prepare
- Spend some time remembering how God gave you this task
- Submit expectations to God
- Pray for spiritual restoration and increased intimacy with God
- Pray for an openness in hearing God’s wisdom from teachers, mentors, editors, and agents
- Pray for divine appointments
- Pray for protection against spiritual attack
- Know what to do if you experience post-conference letdown
2 Timothy 2:15-24
15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer…[and turns] some people away from the faith.
19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”
20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap.
Also, check out Steve Laube’s blog “Your Post-Conference Strategy” for more tips on what to do after the conference.
We want to hear from you!
Have you been plunged into the deep at a writers conference?
How did you deal with it?
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Do you find yourself fighting negative emotions at writers conferences? Never more!
