I had to take a few days to recover from my trip to California. Between travel, the WCCW Conference, visiting relatives, and coming home only to jump back into other commitments, I’m ready to settle in and write.

On the first day of the conference, I attended an intensive workshop on marketing with Marci Seither. She had us write our mission statement. Here’s mine:

I am a woman who has lived through depression and anxiety while dealing with low self esteem. I write about themes of finding value and purpose through YA fiction and a devotional style blog. Find out how God becomes a tangible help in times of trouble.

Sandy Blackburn

This is my first draft. It may or may not get edited, but it fit me well.

I learned that my blog can connect to my fiction writing and I can reach the people who will want to purchase my books even if they are not always the ones who will be reading them.

The next day our keynote speaker, Bret Lott, pointed out, “The last person we need to hear from is ourself.” The title of this blog came from him, too. You’ve heard it said we are our own worst critic. I can say “Amen!” to that. Another speaker, Chris Morris, added this slant: “Don’t listen to the creativity police, even if it’s you.” I learned I shouldn’t believe everything I believe.

I have more nuggets, but I want to tie in some scriptures, so I’ll save them for another day.

Consider this:

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Surprise! Our own heart lies to us, but we have the remedy. We can pray.

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We can find the truth.

The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭ESV

How does this work? Paul explains about the working of the Holy Spirt in the preceding passage.

For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.

1 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭ESV

We can know God’s thoughts as the Holy Spirit reveals them. And He has thoughts about us.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!

Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So the next time you begin criticizing yourself for whatever reason—stop, pray, and listen. God will tell you the truth.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

Image from Canva