Timeless Truths that Help Us Keep Writing When the World Around Us Falls Apart

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

If world events in the past few years has taught us anything, it’s that life can change in an instant. I thought I knew that, but now it’s something I’m hyper-aware of, and it’s affected the way I do life, writing life and all the rest as well. 
But not all the chaos we experience comes from large-scale world events. Sometimes the catastrophe hits closer to home. We may be challenged by a loss of a job, losing a loved one, even a pet's passing can leave us reeling and unable to focus. 
Sometimes the chaos is born from good things—moving, new baby or grand baby, wedding—even these positive situations can cause us to be distracted and unfocused. 
My default reaction to any kind of upheaval isn't necessarily good or bad—I ascribe to the hunker-down-and-wait mentality. As long as I know that's going to be my reaction, I can anticipate it, recognize it, and work with it. 
In those chaotic seasons, I have trouble with creativity—my creative well seems instantly dry. Instead of facing the challenge, I tend to binge TV and play games on my phone. I also overeat, and cram my diet with sugar. This way of coping makes my mind and body sluggish and my mood spirals out of control.
If I'm not careful, I begin to resemble a certain type of heroine whom I despise. One who just waits to be rescued and lets everyone else have fun sword fighting and saving the day.  
But years ago—during one of those seasons—God finally got my attention and He whispered some fairly significant truths. Those are what I want to share with you today!
God's Truth about the WorldI never was in control to begin with and this time is a reminder of that fact. For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back? Isaiah 14:27I was never promised a clear path with predictable outcomes. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you, When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2I have been given certain gifts, situations, and communities—as well as jobs to do within them. I was never promised a specific set of circumstances with which to follow my calling. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10Life is finite and I must make the most of the time I’m given. Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:14God loves me and He’s never lost control. None of the craziness of life—now or later—can shake Him from the purposes He’s ordained. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39Yeah. 
That last one. 
God IS still in control. 
I don’t get a free pass from life just because things are difficult and different. 
Where to Focus When the World Falls ApartDraw closer to God through prayer, Bible study, worship and praise. But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. Psalm 73:28Exercise my gift. God has a purpose for the gifts he’s given each of us. And He wants to use our gifts to change the world. But if I’m not using them, He’ll move on and use someone. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 1 Peter 4:10Love the people God has placed in my path. To me that means more than friends and family, it means I must truly love—the difficult kind of love—those on the news who anger me, the driver who cuts me off, the grocery clerk who’s exhausted and needs a kind word. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8Remember that God isn’t finished. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 So where does this leave me as a writer in difficult times? Exactly the same place I was as a writer in easier times. And that's an important truth I'm just now embracing. My calling and my purpose haven't changed even if the world around me has. It's time to seize the day and be about the business of writing.
What about you? How are moving on with your purpose in spite of the crazy world around us. 
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Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to writers, entrepreneurs, or readers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Connect with her on her website, through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.