by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

One week ago, Hurricane Harvey swept across the Texas Gulf area, devastating millions of people and miles of property with high winds and catastrophic flooding. Many of you prayed for all of us caught up in the continuous rains that drowned record highs. Thank you. The clean-up will take months, and I dare say years to recuperate the financial and personal loss.

What I saw and continue to see is the spirit of heroism. While much of the world views those caught in the path of flooding waters as victims, we are survivors. We rise right along with the water to help others with food, water, shelter, love, and prayers.

So many spiritual insights strengthen faith and instill courage. Writers can draw on inspiration for years to come, not to gain notoriety or financial gain but to glorify God with the gift of written communication.

Are you a victim or a survivor? Do you allow adversity to grow you spiritually, molding you more and more into the image of Christ? When life threatens to drown your resolve, are you swimming toward our Lord and Savior?

I think of Paul holding fast to his faith during hardships. His writings of God’s goodness and love show us we are never alone. Like Paul, we can be living testimonies. I invite you to read 2 Corinthians 11: 16-33.

If you’re so inclined to give financially to those caught in Harvey’s grip, I suggest our state level Disaster Relief team http://sbtexas.com/evangelism/disaster-relief/hurricane-harvey-dr-information/

Our church is also accepting donations: http://www.championforest.org/weather/

With all the ups and downs of life, are you a victim or a survivor? What gives you strength to continue with your dreams of writing?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian Fiction books of 2014.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson. She teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at http://www.diannmills.com