by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

My heart was happy, and I wondered what was next. After twelve years of difficult spiritual battles, I pondered an exquisite sliver of peace that I felt in my heart. It had eluded me for a while—this level of peace. The next day, an old battle decided to make a guest appearance, but in my sliver of “heart-calm-and-quiet,” I had to think about it.

When you’ve reached a plateau of peace after significant spiritual battles, what’s next? There’s always more to learn about life with God, and each day is an opportunity to show Him we love Him. Old battles may come back to haunt us, and new ones will find us. But when we’ve reached a certain level of inner peace in our lives, what do we do with it?

A verse came to mind—“Pass before your brethren armed … and help them” (Joshua 1:14 NKJV*). And then God showed me what we do as writers.

Did you know that Joshua Chapter 1 actually has two commissions? Joshua wasn’t the only one called to help people. The LORD called on Joshua to lead His people into the promised land where giants guarded city gates and city gates were attached to walls six feet thick. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). Words Joshua would cling to.

Then Joshua reminded three of the Israelite tribes about Moses’ words. The LORD was giving them land and rest on the east side of the Jordan River, but they couldn’t settle down just yet. Their brethren—the other tribes—needed land of their own on the west side.

“You shall pass before your brethren armed, all your mighty men of valor, and help them, until the LORD has given your brethren rest, as He gave you, and they also have taken possession of the land which the LORD your God is giving them” (Joshua 1:14-15).

Until the LORD has given them rest as He gave you.

Why do we write? Because the LORD has given us a measure of rest. Rest from fear, rest from worry. Rest from anger, rest from bitterness. Rest from “self,” rest from pride. Rest from wounds, rest from brokenness. Which “rest” has God given you?

We may still bear the battle scars, but we have learned how to win the victory with God’s help. We may still fight the same battle later, but we’re wiser now. We know the sword of the Spirit works and the shield of faith protects. We’re armed, both with Scriptures and strategies for victory.

So writer friend, revel in the peace God has helped you to win. But remember—others need His peace too. So let’s write until they have taken possession of the blessings God has in store for them. Let’s write until they have rest too.

*All Scripture verses are taken from the NKJV.

Katy Kauffman is an award-winning author, an editor of Refresh Bible Study Magazine, and a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies. She loves connecting with writers and working alongside them in compilations. Her writers’ newsletter called The Lighthouse Connection shares writing tips, inspiration to write, and news of submission opportunities. Katy is also the co-director of the Enrich Conference for Bible study writers, speakers, and teachers.

In addition to online magazines, Katy’s writing can be found at CBN.com, thoughts-about-God.com, and three blogs on writing. She loves to spend time with family and friends, draw flowers and landscapes in her sketchbook, and do yard work in the morning sun. Connect with her at www.lighthousebiblestudies.com