By Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

I couldn’t concentrate. After years of research and my son’s diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD), I finally had the answer to my fidgeting, unfinished projects, and my urge to blurt things out during a conversation for fear the words would escape me. I too have ADHD.

I liken my thoughts to a squirrel scrambling to collect nuts. There are so many acorns that the critter stops in his tracks. “Which way do I go?  Which nut do I focus on first?  Which one is the biggest?”

With a hundred thoughts flashing around in my brain, I sit at my desk, head in my hands.  What chapter do I focus on today? What will touch the reader’s heart?  What Bible verses do I use?  I need to dust my bookshelf. LUNCH!

“Lord, I need your help!”

I knew God would not call me to write and then leave me scurrying about gathering up words that don’t make sense. I continued to pray.

I studied the book, You Can Change by Tim Chester. The book states to pick one thing you want God to help you change. I chose procrastination and lack of focus. Working through the book helped me realize why I procrastinate—fear of failure.

How did the fear dissolve? I replaced the lies with truth. I invested time and energy. The fear melted as I recited these verses daily.

“even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” Ephesians 1:4 ESV

“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16

I said to myself, If God chose me before the foundations of the world to be holy and blameless knowing everything I’ve done and will do, he must truly love me. I can’t disappoint him.

After months of proclaiming this truth, the shackles loosened, and the fear of failure released its grip.

So, what about my lack of focus? Fear caused some of my attention deficit, but my brain chemistry affected it also. I learned to make a schedule and follow it. When I’m overwhelmed with all I need to do, I turn to my schedule, knowing I blocked time for everything, even rest and food. I also keep these Bible verses by my desk to motivate me. I pray they inspire you.

“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.” (2 Corinthians 8:11 NIV)

“Be confident and determined. Start the work and don’t let anything stop you. The LORD God, whom I serve, will be with you. He will not abandon you, but he will stay with you until you finish the work” (1 Chronicles 28:20 GNT)

At times, ADHD allows brain squirrels to invade my day. I don’t mind my scattered ideas being named after my furry friends. I’ve learned from them as they chase each other up and down trees, scurry across the yard, hang from the bird feeder, and gather acorns like it’s a relay race. It seems nuts, but their work gets accomplished and they have fun while doing it.

No, you won’t find me handing from my chandelier anytime soon, although I might climb a tree or two. However, I’m determined to have fun and accept my ADHD. I’ve shortened this to ADH because there is no disorder is Gods Kingdom. Our Heavenly Father will get all the glory for using this squirrel chaser and he will also use you, just like he’s used others!

I have a good friend, Martin Johnson, who died in a car accident. God revived him and called him to write. His traumatic brain injury does not keep him from obeying God. He studies the craft and edits his manuscript, but it takes him three times the effort. He amazes me and encourages me with his fortitude.

I know of others, like Joni Eareckson Tada, who are paralyzed and use their mouth with a pen to peck out their stories on a computer or use voice software to translate their words into a manuscript.

Agatha Christie  was the best-selling author known for her detective novels and short story collections. She couldn’t balance her own checkbook due to her learning disability, believed to be dysgraphia. However, she sold about four billion books and had some translated into 103 languages.

1 Corinthians 1:27 states that God uses the weak for his glory. In God’s kingdom we have a different ability, not a disability.

How does God use you for his glory? Join the conversation.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is a coach, editor, and partner at The Write Coach Team.

As former managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.

Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers ACFW.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to Selah nominated, Breaking the Chains, Heart Reno, and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books.

Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her eighteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 21 years.

Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats.