I’ve been reflecting a lot on my decade of being an indie author.
There have been many highs and lows over the last 10 years.
When I released Waiting on God Well: How to Prevent Breaking Down on Your Way to Your Breakthrough (available on Amazon) back in March 2015, it was still somewhat rare and taboo to be an independent author.
Not everyone understood what I was doing (that’s OK).
I felt God calling me to WRITE.
I didn’t know any publishers or agents.
But I did have a story to tell. And my journalism experience from years before helped me tremendously.
I’ve worked with my heart and soul on all of my books.
I see being an indie author as being an indie filmmaker or musician.
I say, honor God with whatever assignment He’s entrusted you with in any particular season.
Writing and releasing my first book was a huge writing milestone for me.
I’m thrilled that writing Book 1 helped lead to the following breakthroughs (so far):
- Writing 5 indie books
- Writing 1 traditionally published book with NavPress
- Being an Our Daily Bread Author
- Being a Bible school instructor
- Hosting 10 events
- Speaking in a United Nations building, in a Christian college, giving my brief testimony at Times Square Church, speaking to different groups and being interviewed in different media outlets, etc.
While I’ve grown and learned and experienced many wonderful breakthroughs this last decade, I’ve also experienced many challenges and obstacles. And I’m still waiting on God for more breakthroughs.
Here’s 10 lessons I’ve learned along the way:
Starting Small Counts Before I wrote my first book, I was journaling and sharing early devotional pieces with a few trusted friends. I also started blogging to share some of my thoughts and lessons I was learning with others. Not sure where to start with your Kingdom assignment? What’s in your hand? Start there.
Move Forward After I prayed and reflected and planned and sought wise counsel, the time came to MOVE FORWARD and start writing the first draft of my book. I didn’t have everything figured out, but I had to start putting pen to paper and my fingers on the keyboard. What’s one step you’ve been praying about?
Work with Excellence In my case, that meant taking my time writing and revising my manuscript, working with an editor to polish that manuscript and working with a designer to create the cover. It meant making countless decisions about the book’s content and design and publication. It also meant going outside my comfort zone to learn about marketing and being active on social media and attending different events, etc. Writing the book is just the first of countless steps in the process.
Perseverance is Key Even when you’re following God’s path for you, you’ll face trials and giants and obstacles. The journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t give up in the middle of your story. Keep pressing forward and PERSEVERE!
Keep Good Company Some people will genuinely cheer you on and support you as you step out in faith. Others will come and then go when the journey is taking too long. And still others will stay silent and refuse to rejoice with you. Ask God to guard your heart. And pray that God surrounds you with the right people every step of the way.
Be Consistent For me, that meant I was to keep writing, speaking and blogging regardless of my platform size. Continue being a blessing to those who show up. If you’re faithful in the little, God can trust you with abundantly more!
It’s Gonna Take Time The saying is true. Patience is a virtue. God isn’t in a rush. His Kingdom work takes time. Try to find joy and reasons to rejoice all throughout your journey.
Trust & Follow God God doesn’t usually show us the whole plan all at once and with all the details. Bummer, right? LOL But He’s not obligated to tell us everything. We’re called to walk by FAITH! God wants us to want Him more than anything we’re waiting on Him for. And He wants our love for Him to grow deeper and deeper. Don’t fall for the short cuts or counterfeits or detours or get fooled by flatterers or deceivers. Follow Jesus! And honor Him all throughout your journey.
Keep Moving Forward Keep praying and taking one faith step at a time. Don’t lag behind God or try to rush ahead of Him. Walk with God.
Believe Remember the words God has spoken to your heart. Meditate on His promises in the Bible. God can do the IMPOSSIBLE! He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. As my late pastor would say, “If God said it, I believe it. That settles it.”
It’s been so lovely to see many of my Readers experience breakthroughs in their personal life, professional life and in ministry, etc.
It’s been moving to see how my books have encouraged ministry leaders, pastors’ wives, Christian counselors, Christian college and Bible school students and many more.
If Waiting on God Well has helped you in your seasons of waiting, I’d love to know. Please leave a kind review and rating on Amazon or Goodreads and feel free to let me know on Abounding Faith’s social media.
Thanks for staying on this faith journey with me!
I appreciate you helping to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Waiting on God Well and the 1st Anniversary of my very first traditionally published book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress, which is available wherever books are sold.)
I’ll be sharing some lessons I’ve learned from being a traditionally published author in an upcoming post and will continue to celebrate these milestones on social media and in episodes of my Abounding Faith for Today podcast (available wherever you get your podcasts). Please stay tuned.
Enjoy this short video with snapshots of this past decade and this celebration blog post.
You can learn about Abounding Faith’s Coaching & Consulting services right here.
May you keep abiding in Christ and abounding in faith, hope and love 
To God be the Glory!
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I’m an author, speaker, life coach, Bible school instructor and evangelist who wants to encourage and inspire you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams! I’m also an author for Our Daily Bread. My NEW book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) is available wherever books are sold.
My books Feisty Faith, By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Waiting on God Well and Abounding Faith are available on Amazon. To learn more about Abounding Faith’s books, coaching, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, online store, YouTube channel and more, visit AboundingFaith.com. Join Abounding Faith’s Email Community today right here. Blessings!
