#224: Do it God's Way (Overcomer Series)

Welcome to Kingdom Writers where we help equip and empower Christian writers of all genres to share your unique gifts with the world. We're your hosts, C.J. and Shelley Hitz.

This podcast is filled with spiritual encouragement as well as prayers to help you overcome the resistance you face as a writer. Your story matters.

Welcome to the Overcomer series. My name is Shelli Hitz and in this series my husband CJ and I will walk you through some steps to help you overcome in your writing, publishing and marketing of your books. This series was originally recorded as live videos inside Christian Book Academy and so if you would like to join us and be able to stay spend time with us live, then join us@christianbookacademy.com we wanted this series to also be able to encourage you. So I hope that you enjoy it and leave us a review and let us know how this podcast is encouraging your writing. We would love to hear from you. Enjoy this episode. Today's topic is Do It God's Way.

So that's kind of pretty self explanatory, right? But I just wanted to start off with a story and I have a prop. Those of you that are listening to the audio, you'll understand the illustration even without seeing the prop. But recently I spoke at Gathering of Artisans. I led three full day workshops and so it was intense and, and you can imagine I was on my feet quite a bit. But also like we were on a campus where you had to walk everywhere. It was uphill and down, it was in North Carolina and so it was a lot of walking and I didn't have much room for shoes to be honest, because I brought products to sell and books and all this stuff in my luggage. But I brought one main pair of dress shoes to wear the entire conference and they were these little black boots. So, you know, nothing too fancy, but it's kind of, you know, the short black boots that are in style right now and I wore them the first day and then my feet started to hurt. I I've been having problems on and off in my big toe and wearing these shoes. My feet started to hurt and I was like, okay, I have a choice. Like these are the only shoes that I have to wear for the rest of the conference. There's not a ton of a heel, but there's a little bit of a heel and they're a little bit more of a pointed toe. Or I can wear my running shoes with my dress pants. And you know, here I am a speaker. So I was like, forget fashion. Yeah, these are cute and, you know, it looked better with my outfit. But I decided I'm wearing my tennis shoes for the rest of the conference. And I didn't take any pictures. I should have with my dress pant, like, my black dress pants. I'm wearing these, you know, Brooks running shoes that are like, what. What color would, like cream color, white with this bronze. I don't know. It was just. It was pretty funny. Nobody really said much to me about it. A couple of the artists actually said, hey, I like your shoes.

But.

I chose comfort over fashion. And what I realized as I began to research, I've been having problems with my toe on and off for about two years. And I had switched running shoes at that time. And those running shoes have a higher heel and they have a smaller toe box, just like these boots. And what I realized is I was starting to get the beginning of a bunion because my shoes were forcing my toes into this pointed position, which were never meant to be. And even though this isn't a huge heel, it was still, you know, is, you know, up on a heel, up on a little bit of a heel. And the same thing with my running shoes that I was being forced. My foot was being forced into this position. It was never created to be in. And when I got home, I immediately cleaned out my shoes. CJ can attest to it. I dropped off probably almost 10 pairs of shoes to the. To the thrift store. I got some new running shoes. That was a saga in and of itself, just trying to find the running shoes that would work for my feet. And my feet are feeling so much better. I have no pain right now in my foot, so I think I caught it quick enough. But immediately when I was, like, in my home one day, I was just immediately like, after that, God was like, Shelly. This is an illustration of what we often try to do. We try to fit the mold, you know, of this little cute little shoe, you know, whatever it is, you know, and this isn't even the cutest shoe that I could wear, but it's kind of in style right now, whatever, you know, more than wearing running shoes.

But we try to, you know, to fit this certain.

Ideal of what we think the world is saying we should be as a writer, as an author, as a marketer, as whatever. And the world also tries to squeeze us into its mold. And, you know, when we're trying to fit in to the mold of the world, eventually we're going to start to have some aches and pains. Eventually it could cause problems like these shoes were causing the beginning of a. Excuse me, a beginning of a bunion on my feet. Eventually, when we're trying to do things the way we think it should be done because everyone else is doing it that way, and we're not, you know, listening to the Holy Spirit, we're not doing it God's way. It can cause anxiety, it can cause depression, it can cause discouragement. It can cause so many things.

However, God's way often looks much different than the world's way, and it doesn't always make sense. So most of this year, I have felt like a failure in my business. And I shared this recently on a social media post, but it's because I was comparing myself to other people. And instead of really just comparing myself and. Or not even comparing myself, but just looking at myself in light of what God has asked me to do this year, you know, I'm a success. But when I start comparing myself to other businesses, then I'm not fitting that mold, right? I'm not. And I'm trying to squeeze myself into doing what other people are doing. Oh, well, that business is growing by doing this kind of marketing. Well, I must need to do that. Or. Or this works for this person, so I must need to do that. Or this is how everyone tells you. Businesses have to be run, so I must have to do that. And God keeps telling me over and over and over again, Shelly, I have a different way for you. What your journey is going to look like. It's going to be completely different than everyone else's. I want you to listen to my voice, and I want you to do it my way. And you know what it's like. It takes a huge pressure off of our shoulders. It takes this huge weight and expectations and feelings of failure. Because you know what? God's definition of success is a lot different than the world's definition of success, too. And so the scripture that I wanted to share with you is Romans 12:2, and it's the Passion translation. Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God's will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes. Whose eyes? God's eyes.

Yeah, I love that translation. And you know, another verse that we wanted to point out in that same translation, the passion translation is First Corinthians 12:27, and it says, you are the body of the anointed one, and each of you is a unique and vital part of It. I love that each of you. So, you know, all of you in Christian Book Academy, Shelly and I, we all contribute a unique and vital part to the body of Christ that no one else can fulfill except you and I. There's not a replacement for you and I. We have unique.

Abilities and giftings and perceptions and perspectives.

As we minister in this world. And if we don't step up and be ourselves, God's not like, well, I'll just duplicate that, you know, that person, you know, and we'll get it done one way or the other. No, we have the ability to choose to join God and use the unique and vital. Vital. That means, you know, life impacting.

And that's what you and I have.

Yeah. And just going back to the illustration of my shoes, you know, when we try to fit into expectations of what we think things should be or how we think, you know, our writing or our books or marketing or however we think things should be, or what other people say we should do or we should be, it could cause an injury. And I'm putting air quotes on here because, like, those shoes were starting to cause me those shoes, along with other shoes, but those types of shoes were causing me an injury which could eventually sidelined me from being able to do what I love to do right now, which is to go for a run and a walk and a hike and to do things, go skiing. You know, it could have sidelined me with an injury. And sometimes when we're trying to do things, we're trying to fit ourselves and we're trying it, whether it's even like trying to do it in a certain time frame, you know, maybe that's not the time frame that God has given you. Maybe he wants you to take longer and you're putting this unneeded pressure on yourself. But whatever it is, it could eventually cause an injury. You know, depression, anxiety, whatever. And then it can sideline you and paralyze you from moving forward in what God has called you to do in writing and publishing and marketing your book.

Yeah. So what you're saying, Shelley, is that if possible.

Try to avoid spiritual bunions.

We don't want spiritual bunions.

Sorry for the.

Visual.

I've been joking with her that she's my old lady with bunions.

Guys, what am I gonna do with him?

So there's another passage that came to mind, you know, as I was looking into this topic, and it's John 21, 2022. And it's during that time when. When Jesus is restoring Peter after Peter has denied Jesus Three times. And so you know the interaction that Jesus and Peter had, you know where Jesus asked him three times, you know, do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me? And at the end of that exchange, though it's really interesting, it says Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved, the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, lord, who will betray you? Peter asked Jesus, what about him, Lord? You just gotta know that that was Peter, you know, gotta be in everybody's business. What about him, Lord? Jesus replied, if I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? And I love this, this specific part. As for you, follow me. As for you, Peter, look me in my eyes, Peter, follow me. Don't worry about him. Don't worry about what I have assigned for, for John and the other disciples. It's you and I, Peter. This is what I have for you. And I love that because I think each of us needs to simply keep our eyes on Jesus.

Amen.

And follow him without worrying about what others are doing. As for you, cj, for you, Shelley, follow me.

And so your journey is going to look different than my journey.

And that's because you and I are created uniquely. And there's some great quotes and I'll mention three of them. Actually, I'll read the first two, Shelley, you can read the third one. But the first one is Be Yourself. Everyone else is already taken. Yeah, that's Oscar Wilde. And then I love this one by Steve Jobs. Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.

Wow, that's. That's powerful.

Yeah.

And then this one's from Judy Garland and she says, always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else. And so although we give you a lot of step by step training in how to write and publish and market your books, we're not telling you that that's the end all, be all. We're not telling you you have to be a mini Shelly or a mini CJ or, you know, anything like that. We want you to listen to God. Take in what you need for, for right now, take in the training. It is very practical. You'll learn new skill sets, you know, all sorts of things. But keep your eyes on Jesus instead of looking around and comparing or, you know, putting these expectations on yourself that are not for you. And like C.J. said, with that Scripture, you can fill in your name with that scripture. So, you know, it says, you know, as for you, Heather, follow Me. As for you, Deborah, follow me. As for you, Beth, follow me. As for you, Theresa, follow me. You know, and it's so easy in our social media world, and I'm as guilty as any of you that to see what everyone else is doing, there's always going to be people further along and more successful in the world's eyes. Again, I'm doing air quotes. You know, there's always going to be people further along. There's always going to be people behind. So, you know, I'm looking at certain people feeling like a failure, comparing myself to them, but some people are looking at me feeling the same way, you know, and so it's, it's a no win situation, right? But as for you, C.J. follow Jesus.

And, you know, many of you might realize that the New York City Marathon took place about a week and a half ago. And that marathon gets over 50,000 people. And when that gun goes off, everyone has one goal in mind, and that is to cross that finish line fast and in the best possible shape that they can. And everyone is at a different pace. Everyone is at a different level. Now, yes, there are some crossing the line near the same time, but let me tell you, if you looked at two people that crossed that line, that finish line at the same exact time, both of them will still share totally different stories about when they struggled in the race. Highs, lows, side stitches, had to break off and use the, the bathroom. I mean, there's just a myriad of different experiences that each person has during a 26.2 mile race like that. And when you've got 50,000 people, you've got 50,000 different stories. And let me tell you, that's the same way with us. We are all aiming for that finish line. Now ultimately, that finish line of crossing into Jesus's arms, but in the meantime, we have other finish lines like these books that we're, we're writing. And we're all going to cross at a different pace at a different, you know, we're all going to have highs and lows at different points. We all have our own little battles and struggles, and yet we're all aiming and shooting for that goal. And I love, you know, Hebrews just emphasizes, again, let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Hebrews chapter 12. And, and that, that is.

The object. It's, it's as if Jesus is that prize across the finish line. We're aiming toward him and we're wanting to glorify him in all of our writing and all the things that we're doing here. And so you and I are going to be different in that way. And yet the other isn't worse than the other. It's just that we're different, we're unique, we have different gifts. And, man, quite frankly, I am thankful.

That we're all unique.

How boring would it be to have, you know, robots, you know, that we're all the same in what they're doing. I mean, the world doesn't need another cj.

Yeah.

Okay.

Doesn't need another shot.

I need to live out my calling and what. And be the best version of me that God wants me to be. Living out my potential. And you're in the same boat.

Yeah. And so, you know, if you identify the problem, like I identified the problem where my shoes. If you identify the problem of what's causing the pain or the potential injury. So again, it could be. It could be a myriad of things, you know, that. That you could be feeling. And those are like a check engine light, like, whoo, something's wrong, something's wrong. You know, like that pain in my toe. Something's not quite right. Why am I getting this pain in my toe? Once you identify what the issue is, if you are trying to fit into someone else's mold or comparing yourself, you know, Romans 12, 2, what I. What I shared earlier, it says, be transformed by the Holy Spirit. And so once I identified the problem, I immediately stopped wearing these shoes. And even though it might have been a bit embarrassing, I was like, I'm wearing my running shoes the rest of the week. And you know what? It really wasn't a big deal. I was at an artist conference, and these were workshops. I wasn't doing, like, you know, keynote speeches or anything. But then when I got home, I identified all the shoes that were causing that issue. I got rid of them. So what I want you to do right now is identify what is causing some of the issues for you right now. And it may be some of the social media stuff you may need to, for a season, unfollow certain people, unsubscribe from certain email lists. You may need to take a social media fast. You know, you may need to clear your mind of those things or set boundaries with certain people or. Or whatever it is, renewing your mind with God's truth instead of filling it with all of the things of what other people are doing and saying. So it's a matter of first identifying what is it that's causing this problem, and then secondly, beginning to make the changes. It's not enough to just identify the problem. You have to make the changes. Because if I would have stayed, if I would have continued wearing these little boots and wearing those same running shoes, I can guarantee you I would most likely have toe pain today. And I don't. And so are you willing to do the things that will, you know, are you willing to take those steps? Are you willing to do the things that God leads you to do, to make those transformations in your life so that you can get a different result, so that you can have joy and peace, so that you can just flow with the Holy Spirit in your writing and publishing and marketing, so you can hear his voice and move forward in success in everything that you do, according to him, not according to the world, and be at peace.

You know, Are you willing to do those things? And. And you know, it may take getting rid of shoes that you like, you know, and I had to get rid of like probably 10 pairs of shoes, you know, and you think about the money you spent in them and you know, all of this. I had to buy new shoes. Was it worth it? 100%? Absolutely. Yes. I am 44 years old and I want to be able to run and hike and be active for the rest of my life. I don't want an injury to sideline me and keep me from doing what I love to do. And so what is it for you? Are you willing to be transformed to allow God to cut some things out of your life? Maybe allow God to put some new things in your life, to do the work of coming to God, transforming your mind with his truth? I Allowing him to change you from the inside out?

Yeah.

So we're at the point now where if there's any prayer requests, personal prayer requests, we want you to actually write those out in the comments and we will pray for each one. And also.

If. If you see a comment of a specific prayer request and you feel led to pray for that person, then please join us in that and lift up a personal prayer for that request.

Yeah. And you can even write it out in the comments as a reply to that person. It would really bless them as well.

Yeah. So have a few comments, don't we? Just from.

Some of what we've been talking about.

Yeah.

Deanne says, haha, spiritual bunions.

Sarah says, wow, that's the word I've been getting from the Lord lately. Praise God.

Just looking through. And Teresa says, I reference the scripture often.

Heather says, love that. So true.

Pam says above there, somebody wanted this.

Yeah, I'll get that later. Says this is so good. I have been having this Discussion with myself a lot lately. Like, you say, you be you, so me be me. And Dan says, yes, identify the issue, the cause, then make the changes. And Nancy says, yes, make the changes persistent in the identification. Yeah. And, you know, it's. It's not easy to. To do this. It's easier to go with the flow. Right. It's easier to go with what everyone else is doing or, you know, to try to fit in. It's hard. It's like you're swimming upstream. Right. And yet God calls us as believers to be in the world, but not of the world. To be transformed by the renewing of our minds and to be a bright shining light for him in the darkness. And how can we be a light when we're just blending in? Right. And so.

And you know what?

Some of you here may have been wearing shoes, spiritual shoes, so to speak, for 30 years that did not fit your feet.

Yeah.

And you feel like, well, why change now? My feet have gotten used to these. These shoes. But what I want to say is that it's never too late to make a big change in life. Maybe you have been just swimming.

With the other fish, and you haven't really gone upstream. You've just kind of played it safe, been living, you know, out your life, and God's used you. And yet, you know deep down that. That you have been conforming to a lot of other people. You've even kind of been living out other people's plans for you. And I'm just here to say that you can actually do something different. You can begin to wear a new pair of shoes. I believe God has built into this life room for trial and error.

Okay.

He's built it in. Even if you change at 60 years old, don't beat yourself up. Say, you know What? These next 20 years could be the very best of my life. Because I'm gonna do what I feel called to do, not what somebody else has told me that I should do. Yeah.

I'm gonna do it God's way.

Yeah. And so we're with you. You know, I'm. I'm still making all kinds of trial and errors. You know, Shelly, when she had to return those shoes, she did it two or three times. Had to go back to the store.

It was like the shoe drama.

Try on new shoes. Oh, that didn't work. I gotta go to a different store. Try on this pair of shoes. There's hassle. Yeah. And there's growing pains, and it takes work.

Like, I had to spend time, like, it was like, almost A week of significant chunks of time when I probably could have been, should have been. You know, I think I should have been doing other things that I had to spend to get the right shoes. But was it worth it? Of course, you know, to prevent this injury and so that I can keep walking without pain and running and, you know, all of the things. But it will take a little bit of, you know, time on your part when you're first making the change.

Yeah. It's never easy when you make a big change like that in turn, you know, seeing that ship turn, so to speak. So we're with you 100%. We are just people, this group, as well as Shelley and I in the group, we are for you 100%, as you explore God's calling for your life. And so this is a safe place to really experiment and experience trial and error. And we get right back up and we pull each other up. You can share anything you want, and you're not going to get any hassle from people in this group.

Yeah. And realize that every one of us in this group is still going to have a different journey. Even though some of us are kind of moving through some of the similar training, it's still going to look different for all of us. And so not to compare even to other people in the group, but to, you know, be listening to God's voice and what he has for us right now. So, cj, why don't you just pray for everyone right now, and then we'll come back and pray for each individual request.

Yeah. So, Father, we just thank you so much for, again, this time that we can enjoy in a live video. I thank you for each and every person that is on live. And I also thank you for those who are going to watch this replay. And we ask, Lord, that your words of truth would go straight to the heart, would impact people exactly the way you intend.

Yes.

And that perhaps each person is going to hear something different because we all have different ears and we all have different brains and experiences that we're going through right now in life circumstances. And so I just pray that you would specifically minister to each and every person that has an opportunity to watch this video. And we ask that you would help each of us be who we were created to be in Christ, that we would actually live out our unique calling. And as Paul said, that each of us is a unique and vital part of that body of Christ, or the anointed one, as the Passion translation says, help us live out that vital part that only we can live out. In a unique way. And I just thank you so much for all the different stories that are going to come out of people saying, you know what? I'm gonna switch shoes, so to speak, and I'm gonna. I'm gonna try something different. And I pray that they would experience a newfound joy, a peace and just a love and a zest for life as they enter that new season of that new calling, the way you've gifted them. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

Amen. And so thank you guys for being here and we'll see you next time.

Love you guys.

Bye bye. Thank you so much for spending time with us in this episode. It truly means the world to us. We also have a free gift for you if It's a new PDF that CJ and I recently wrote called 8 surprisingly Simple Writing Tips. Say that 10 times real fast in a row, right? But it's a PDF. You can get instant access. Just go to trainingauthors.com writingtips we'd love to send that PDF to you right now. And again, it's called Eight Surprisingly Simple Writing Tips. Enjoy.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Kingdom Writers. We believe that you, as a Christian writer, have a specific role to play in the Kingdom of Heaven to impact lives for eternity.

And because of this, we choose to pour out our lives into encouraging writers like you to not only tell your stories, but to take the courageous step of self publishing yourself stories in books that will outlive you and leave behind a powerful legacy. This podcast is sponsored by Christian Book Academy, where we help you give birth to your books. We invite you to join our community of Kingdom writers.