When I think back on the year that I wrote The Green Ember, I can confidently say that it was one of the most difficult years of my life.

I go into a little more detail here.

But, despite the struggles and thin margins, the Lord brought something good and beautiful.

Characters, real and fictional, cannot grow and change unless they go through pain.

This is why I champion dangerous (but good) stories to make kids brave. Stories give kids (and adults) a way to witness character growth, letting us see how challenges are faced and resilience is built. We learn and grow alongside the characters.

Great hearts can only be made by great troubles.

Charles Spurgeon

If you find yourself in a season that feels unbearable, like prolonged illness, scarcity, failure, loneliness, unanswered prayers, etc. know that it is not meaningless. And it does not disqualify you from creating.

Amid your pain, wait and create. Though you grieve, make and believe.

Even what was intended for evil, God redeems. He is using it to refine and shape you (James 1:2-4). God is doing something in your life, and it’s really powerful.

We often find ourselves envying those who appear to move through life effortlessly—at least, from the brief snapshots we catch in the curated glimpses of their lives. Envy is everywhere. It is the water we are swimming in.

“If only I had ______.”
“They’re younger but more successful than me.”
“Their kids are better behaved than mine.”
“How do they do it all?”
“Their house/vacation/car is fancier than mine.”

As the saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy. But I’d like to add that envy steals our generosity.

Envy convinces us that someone else’s path is better and their success diminishes our own. By contrast, contentment is a grace-shaped posture of the heart that grows as we trust each season has a purpose.

Envy is natural but contentment is supernatural.

Brett and I talk more here about why surface level comparison is not an accurate representation of the struggles others are facing.

Spoiler alert: you may not want to trade places with your heroes.

You may be struggling through a difficult season. But it doesn’t disqualify you from making meaning out of it. God is equipping you for the good and beautiful things he is calling you to do.

I’m on your side,

Sam

P.S. Brett Harris, author and cohost of the new podcast, is the founder of Young Writer’s Workshop that is opening enrollment for their program TODAY (this only happens a few times a year). Love to see you in there.

P.P.S. We’ve put together a collection of verses and quotes in the form of free downloadable lock screen/wallpapers. Enjoy!

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