Off The Sideline! - The One Year Devotions for Women on the Go

Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Sometimes when we’re challenged, it’s easier to step off to the sideline. While writing Woman of Influence, a book to encourage and equip women to be all God designed them to be, I sent the book out for outside critique. When it was returned with notes from the critics and the editor, I was to take out one hundred pages. Although the criticisms were helpful, some hurt. Like the one that said, “I’m not sure English is her first language.” But the one that really stung was, “Not sure I’d want to be her friend.” After building my whole ministry on relationships, I felt as if I’d failed God.

I had only a few weeks to get the manuscript in shape and return it to the publisher—and now I wasn’t sure I had anything to say! I went to a conference begging God to work, but I felt no one should follow me anytime, any place, for any reason! At the end of the conference, I finally asked for prayer—I got off the sideline. I went home the following day, and it was as if the text were highlighted. I knew exactly what to take out and save for the next book. Woman of Influence has gone into multiple printings and helped women launch businesses, ministries, and careers.

Satan knew influence for God might happen, so he tried to sideline me. The Bible warns of this in 2 Corinthians 11:3: “I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (NIV). So if you doubt, go back to a sincere and devoted commitment to Christ. Be honest, seek help, and ask for prayer! Get off the sideline!