By Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

“I don’t understand why they chose another book when three publishers at the conference said they liked mine.” I confided in my good friend Sharon.

My heart broke and I felt overlooked.

Do you feel forgotten you work so hard on a project out of obedience to God and nothing happens?

I needed to get to the heart of my disappointment and not become bitter. I don’t want to be jealous when a friend’s book is picked for an award or publication and my manuscript grows cobwebs.

As I prayed, a verse flooded my heart.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15

“Lord, I do want to rejoice with my friends but what about me, I’ve been obedient to your calling?”

I continued to pray, and the Holy Spirit reminded me of a portion of my wedding vows.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Ephesians 4:31

“How do I do that Lord when I’ve worked so hard to be obedient and I don’t see anything for my efforts?”

As I continued to pray and acknowledge my discontent with God’s decision to keep my book on hold, he reminded me about the verse my new book is based on:

Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

I repented of my selfish attitude and asked the Spirit to help me be joyful in obedience, without worrying about the outcome.

Yes, I feel pained when my book submission gets rejected. I remind myself, obedience is my calling, not publication.

Do you feel overlooked by God? Are you being obedient to God’s calling to write?

Join the conversation.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award-winning writer, coach, editor, and speaker. 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.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. Her work in progress, Accidental Findings, won the first 10 pages award with, When Words Count Retreat. You can find her published in Blue Ridge Writers Blog, Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh, and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to award-winning, Get to the Margins-Author Anthology; Breaking the Chains; Heart Reno, Kiss Guilt Goodbye; and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books. Her latest book, Shine Don’t Whine, released October 2020. 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 22 years. Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats. You will often find her on the beach sea glass hunting.