By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

We all face discouragement that threatens our writing life. Life happenings affect creativity, and we need a treasure box of faith-filled resources to remind us God is with us and for us. He wants His best for everything we say, write, and do.

First, we must deal with why discouragement has shown up on our doorstep. Not a wanted visitor, the kind we kick to the street. No matter the reason, remember hopelessness and lack of confidence don’t come from God. He may allow happenings to move us closer to Him or move us closer to His plan instead of our own. If we have rewrites to consider, then devise an action plan and follow through. If we’ve received a disheartening critique, look for any gems of truth. If a truckload of cruelty has landed on our front porch, dump it.

The solution is to rise above our circumstances, and knowing God in His infinite wisdom, will encourage us. This is personal. Your encouragement box, physical or mental, will not be the same as mine. But we all have a common goal—eliminate the discouragement and replace it with positive affirmations and pure joy.

The following tips will provide ideas for your encouragement box.

1.  Pray for the Scripture God has purposed for you in times of discouragement.

2.  Discover your love language to find how you best fall in love and stay in love with yourself. If in doubt, take this online quiz. For more information read Gary Chapman’s The Five Love Languages.

3. Dream. Close your eyes and let your mind drift to a time when life was amazing. Perhaps a childhood getaway, vacation spot, or a place where you’d like to visit.

4.  Eat nutritionally sound meals. Choose protein, fruits, veggies, and whole grains.

5.  Exercise even when you don’t feel like it. This huge stress-reliever keeps your body and soul in good working order. Choose the outdoors for a dose of healing sun and vitamin D.

6.  Establish family time as your most important treasure.

7.  Lose yourself in a favorite creative activity.

8.  Play soothing music that soothes and stabilizes your body, mind, and spirit.

9.  Read uplifting poetry.

10. Sleep 8 hours per night. Elect to fall asleep praying or reciting Scripture instead of worry.

11. Spend time with a hobby.

12. Take a stroll through nature. Listen to the birds. Admire wildlife.

12. Turn off electronics.

13. Write poetry

Writer, decide to face discouragement with the power and strength that only comes from God. When we fill our encouragement box with positive life joys, the down times are short-lived and disappear. 

What gives your joy and erases the bad times?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller. 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.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Mountainside Marketing 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 www.diannmills.com.

Follow DiAnn on Twitter: @DiAnnMills