General Discussion Does the Holy Spirit gives you a prompt or idea to write a book?

[sowmya]

Does the Holy Spirit gives you a prompt or idea to write a book?

 

[suspensewriter]

That's a good question, @sowmya. I think the answer is yes.

 

[Hucklebarry]

I would say, yes. For me, I did not sit down to write a book. I sat down to journal for myself. This was an area I had struggled in, and in wresting with God over His presence and actions in my life, He prompted me to start documenting so I could lay out and see the big pictures. He also encouraged me to be able to look back so that I would not forget what He has done for me (very specifically, not just in general).

When I began this process, words started to pour out of me. I sat down to jot a paragraph and 2,000 words come out without me taking my fingers off the keyboard, or pausing in thought. (It wasn't magical. I knew what I was writing. I wasn't possessed but I do believe when I obeyed the thought to journal, that He gave me the things I needed to be writing).

After a few days of this I started to see a pattern. Every documentation session looked and felt just like the first one. It started to look like a book would. I then started to pray: "Is this just for me, or should I be sharing this?". God gave me some scary answers. I believe He said 2 things.

1. If you are going to do this, you are going to have to stretch yourself in some very uncomfortable ways (I believe this is in response to my extreme introvertedness and my hopes of hiding behind a traditional publisher were that to be an option).
2. He said that my efforts were going to be a success, but not in terms of MY definition of success.

He didn't give me the "yes/no" that I wanted, but I believe He gave me what I needed. And I've been doing things like coming here, sharing with friends, asking for help and doing all the things I would normally avoid. It very well could be that the "success" He has for me is the personal growth from the process. It could be that I face the negativity that I fear, while helping the one or two God is chasing after. It could be things I may not understand for a while. But I've been looking back at the whole process from beginning to end, and I very much believe this was from God, and I'm both excited and terrified to see the reasoning flesh out over the coming years.

 

[AC Maci]

I believe He does, especially if it's a way to praise God.

I studied the parable recently that Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 25: 14-30. God gave us all talents, and He wants us to use our talents to honor Him.

I wrote many things before I strengthened my relationship with Christ. I quit all of it - a big part is because I set too-high standards for myself. I also like to believe it's because they weren't honoring God in any way. Now I am writing consistently and inspired in what I'm writing. I do believe it's because I'm using my talent to honor God, and I believe He will do the same for you.

I hope this helps give some insight.

-Andii

 

[lynnmosher]

Oh, my, yes! I know others are tired of this but here goes. In 2000, I became ill and six months later, the Lord whispered to my heart to write for Him. I was astounded because I'd only written stinky poetry. But I obeyed and started a book (which still sits on the shelf) about the Jewish/Hebrew 12 step betrothal tradition. Truly eye-opening. It developed into writing devotionals and inspirational stories/parables, which I still write. The Lord has dropped a bazillion ideas into this ol' noggin.