But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
—Psalm
3:3-4 NIV
I woke up early, eager to run to my computer and look at Amazon reviews. It was launch day of my first book, and I couldn’t wait to read the reviews. The first one knocked the wind out of my sails. It began, “I wanted to like this book, I really did.” You know that any sentence starting like that can only be followed by a but. This one certainly was, and the but was followed by a stream of abuse.
My very
first review of my very first book was so horrible, I had to laugh—between
tears. Convinced my career as a novelist had ended before it even began, I
said, “Well, Lord, I guess that’s that. I’m not meant to write books. At least
I tried. I’ll see what else I can find to do.”
Thankfully, this initial horrendous review was soon eclipsed by many lovely ones, and I went on to publish, to date, eleven books. While my book’s reviewer can hardly be counted as an “enemy” in comparison to the enemies of David, who wrote Psalm 3 amidst the real threat of death on all sides, I certainly felt attacked and defeated. Even in small matters like a negative book review, it’s life-giving to know God is my shield on all sides. He lifts my head from shame and strengthens me for life’s journey.
Question for Reflection: Where am I allowing an enemy to defeat and discourage me instead of trusting in God as my shield?
No comments:
Post a Comment