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10 ways and places to get inspiration as a Christian blogger and writer

As a writer, there are days when your pen flows with ink and your hands write nonstop from the overflow of what runs in your head. Days when you have millions of ideas to create content on and you write on them effortlessly and you’re happy at the outcome.


But there are also days when you sit down before your laptop and stare blankly at the screen. Days when your pen lies helplessly on your journal and you can’t piece anything together. Days when you write and you have to erase it completely because it’s a mess.


What happens when it looks like inspiration has ceased?


As a writer and a blogger, you must have understood that your content is everything. Not just content, quality content.


Your blog can only grow to the degree to which your content impacts lives. You must have something that compels people to come back to your blog.


As a Christian or Faith blogger, your posts must edify and bless lives. It must come forth with power; either power to heal, refresh people’s minds, enlighten them or any other dimension.


Considering everything said above, lack of inspiration or the monster called “writers block” is your worst enemy.


Below are places you can go and things you can do to get inspired to write again.

Places

Your Room

This will only be effective if you live alone or have a room to yourself. Cultivate the habit of sitting down to observe. Having a space to yourself is a great way to allow your mind dance.

Church

50% of my write-ups and blog

posts were conceived in my local church. An idea pops into my mind during service and I immediately write it down. Sometimes, it’s a scripture that is being spoken about and my eyes are opened to see more and I
write.


Sometimes, staying around the church premises even after the service is over brings inspiration. The church is an altar that has been dedicated to God so many angelic and divine activities go on around there and if you’re sensitive enough, you can grasp.



Quiet spaces.

An empty class, balcony, staircase etc. Quiet places help you reflect and listen to God and yourself. Every writer needs a bit of still and quiet once in a while. Find time, get away from all the noise and go on a date with Jesus, somewhere quiet. Be sure to take a journal and a pen.


Nature

Things like green plants, beautiful birds, hills and so on are great stimulants to the brain. Take a walk or drive to a garden and observe more closely.



Ways.


Praying in tongues.

This, I can not overemphasize! Whenever you feel blank, drop your pen and paper and blast in the Holy Ghost. Praying in tongues is a great mystery that has divers effects on you.


Study the Word of God.

The Bible is really amazing and I don’t suggest that you study your Bible just to get something to write about. Studying the Bible should be your lifestyle. But I won’t rule out the fact that the Bible is a great way to get inspired to write.


Reading other Christian literature

This works powerfully. I am vehemently against plagiarism so I’m not asking you to plagiarize. I’m asking you to draw inspiration from them. You should have mentors and people you look up to in writing and blogging. Surf through their write ups, read various articles. Allow your mind get stimulated by them.

Music

Songs are a great way to get inspired. Update your playlist regularly with songs from your favorite artists. You can draw inspiration from the lyrics and the Rythm of songs.

Meet or connect with your writer friends

You may not have the luxury of time to physically meet them, but create a system that helps you connect with them. When you meet with people who are of like minds with you, something within you responds.

Finally, understand yourself. Know what works for you and explore it. For me, I find it quite difficult to write in a noisy environment. For you, it may be different, so observe yourself and understand what stimulates the secretion of your creative juices.

Have you read these?

Lean on me, a story of love and commitment

Powerful declarations for your life

Dealing with flaws in Christian relationships

How to use Youversion Bible App

Overcoming low self-esteem

My favorite Hillsong worship songs

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The Comparison Trap

We’ve gotten so used to saying things like “They’re not really that happy. They’re just pretending on social media” in a bid to console ourselves when we see people on our instagram feed who seem to have perfect lives.
This is true to a large extent because “perfection” in the real sense is an illusion. Also, a lot of people online today pretend to be what they’re not, and show the world only what they want them to believe.

However, the truth is, a lot of people are genuinely happy.

Yes.
Not everybody is pretending. Not everybody is living a fake life. They definitely have their own challenges here and there but they are happy and content.
Possessing the ability to be happy for people when good things happen to them, without feeling sorry for yourself is pertinent to your peace of mind.

Comparison is called a trap because it may start off as an innocent comparison between your life and someone else’s. But as soon as your mind identifies a couple of areas where the person’s is better, you slowly begin to feel angry, discontent with your life and frustrated and may even wish them evil, hence falling into the trap.

It’s either they have a better body, source of income, family, friends or even life. Comparison makes you feel discontent and not enough. It makes you feel like your life isn’t moving properly and it all stems from discontent. Comparison is deadly because it first attacks your mind, then it attacks your life. You start off by mentally demeaning yourself and feeling sorry for your life, then it begins to affect your efficiency at work, excellence at school, consistency at your endeavors etc because you’re more focused on another person’s life.

Comparison gives you a yardstick with which you measure your success based on the lives of other people. This breeds anger, envy, hatred and offense.

If you are jealous of other people and you want to make yourself important, that will cause trouble. People will argue and fight against one another. They will do all kinds of bad things.

James 3:16 EASY

Another thing comparison does is that it turns you into a copy cat. Every other person’s life looks right to you apart from yours. You find yourself attempting to match up to their standards at all costs, imitating their lifestyle because it looks more pleasant to you, there by, strolling right out of God’s purpose for your life.

In whatever way it comes, it is clear that comparison is a thief that comes to steal your joy and essence.

But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another. GALATIANS 6:4 AMP


Comparison is at its core selfish and prideful because it takes the focus of God and others and keeps it on ourselves. – Crosswalk.com

Quit trying to match up to the standards humans set; there’s only one blueprint which is our reference and that is Jesus Christ

How to overcome Comparison and Unhealthy Competition as a Christian

Be content with your purpose, portion and the pace at which God is moving you:

But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6 KJV

There is a sphere for everyone and a time for everyone too. You must discover your portion and become content with your pace.
God’s dealing with men is personal. So you must never try to imitate the unique strategy or dealing God has with another Christian.
This is not to encourage laziness and complacency or isolation. It’s okay to learn from others and get motivated by how much they’re doing but their life is not your reference. God is. And he has endowed you with amazing qualities and potentials which will never develop if you keep comparing yourself to a friend and a colleague.

Be Thankful:

In all things, give thanks. A life void of gratitude is one that will be withered. Life is full of opportunities and everyday holds promises of numerous benefits. Learn the art of giving thanks to God even for your 5 loaves.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT

Compliment and celebrate people often:

Every time you see someone or something you admire, verbally appreciate it. Say it out loud to them and mean it, this kills jealousy fast.

Understand that they probably worked hard for what they have and may still have challenges in that area.

Also, you attract whatsoever you genuinely celebrate and honor but whatever you dishonor depletes in your life.

Pray over your heart

The first place jealousy is conceived is in the heart and our thoughts really matter to God. Whenever you find yourself comparing yourself to someone and getting bitter, immediately pray and declare God’s Word over your heart. Ask God to vet your heart and help you think only godly thoughts.

Recognize that they have struggles too

They may look like they have it all figured out but that’s a mirage. They have their areas of struggles too, they just don’t project and magnify it.

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise -2 Corinthians 10:12 KJV

Finally, I’ve come to learn that every person on earth carries a dimension of God; not even our fingerprints are the same. As a Christian and a child of God, you must recognize that you carry a unique ability in you, you have a sphere, and a portion has been allocated to you.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
Romans 12:6 NIV

You are not a biological mistake; if you weren’t needed, you wouldn’t have been created.
Our God is one that is very intentional and pays attention to details. He is very precise and thorough about everything down to the strands of hair on our head.

Your life may not be perfect but that’s ok, nobody’s is!
You may not be there yet but it’s also okay, it’s a process.
The only competition you have is yourself; ensuring you are not the same person as time passes, by constantly improving.
The first step to overcoming comparison and unhealthy competition is discovering and concentrating on what you’re called to.
You’ve been called to do something only you can do. There’s only one of you.

Comparing yourself with someone else and feeling inferior is downplaying all that God has invested in you.

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Youversion Bible App || Step by Step Guide || Improve Your Bible Study

I started using Youversion Bible App in 2016 but I didn’t fully get to understand and make proper use of it until last year. It has blessed me greatly and skyrocketed my Word life from what it used to be.
Plus it’s very fun to use and has so many features. I couldn’t help but share it with my readers and the world because some people are even aware of the app but do not know how to get the best out of it.
If you’re seeking to upgrade your spiritual life and grow deeper in studying your Bible, then you should read this post twice.

YouVersion (also known as Bible.com or the Bible App) is an online and mobile Bible platform published for Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and many other operating systems; it also supports a variety of other platforms. – Wikipedia

Daily, people are coming to discover Youversion and installing it. It has already been installed in over 360 million unique devices all over the world..

Some Features of the App

Verse of the dayEveryday, there’s a new scripture on the app for you.

Audio Bible – Youversion gives you the opportunity of not just reading but listening to your Bible.

Various daily devotionalsThere are millions of devotionals on various aspects of life. All you have to do is type your interested area in the search button and it’ll bring up various related devotionals for you.

1000+ versions and languagesI only use English but there are thousands of other languages.
For the versions, I use a number of versions. This particularly gives me so much joy because I get to compare a scripture in thousands of versions and understand it better.

Read also – Why you should pray with scriptures

100% freeYes! All you need is your data to set it up and you can download different versions to enable you use them when there’s no network coverage or your phone is on flight mode.

FriendsYou can add your friends who also have the app. This gives you an online Bible community.

Video – You can watch videos on The Bible, Bible stories etc

Activities you can involve in on Youversion

You can easily share scriptures with friends on social media and via email.

Discover live Church events taking place near you

Different versions help you see different perspectives and explanations of passages or verses in scriptures.

– You can take reading plans and devotionals on different areas of life e.g relationship, love, marriage, work, health, faith, hope etc

You can invite your friends to take a devotional with you on the app. This helps you remain consistent and accountable to each other.

Read – Starting a Bible Study

Step by step guide to the “Youversion Experience”

1. Install Youversion Bible App from Playstore or Apple App Store

2. Set up your profile and picture to help friends find you. You can also customize the app look on your settings by changing the color of the app, font, etc

3. Meditate on at least one scripture daily. – Youversion provides a scripture for each day which you can quickly take a moment to glance at and meditate on, all through your day. Alternatively, you can pick another scripture of your choice from the Bible app to meditate on.

4. Download your favorite versions of the Bible so that you can use them offline (without mobile network)

5. Make use of the audio Bible as you prepare for work, have your quiet time, do house chores or work out, using your earpiece.

6. Add friends wisely and interact – Adding friends gives you a bible community but you must note that adding too many friends may defeat the purpose of the Bible as you may get engrossed in your friends activities on the home feed. So as you add and accept friends, let your aim be to learn and grow in God’s Word with your friends.

USING THE BIBLE WITH FRIENDS
â—Ź Center your Christian friendships around holy Scripture in the Bible App
â—Ź Home Feed: See what you and friends bookmark & highlight and their progress in their devotionals
â—Ź Comments: Connect with friends each day as you study Bible truths together, sharing ideas, asking questions.

7. Create shareable verse images. You can use pictures of your choice as the background.

Click here to see a list of worship songs for your quiet time

8. Customize your Bible by highlighting scriptures that bless you and making bookmarks and notes (private or public) on them.

9. Take few devotionals at a time : The excitement of seeing so many awesome devotionals may tempt you to want to start them all at once but you must resist that temptation. When you see a devotional you are interested in, instead of starting it immediately, you can save it for later.

10. Let Bible Streak and Badges Inspire you : Bible streak is a feature that records your consistency on the Bible App. Any day you fail to open the app, your streak is broken and it has to start counting from day 1 all over again. Let the streak encourage you to open the Bible App and read everyday. Badges also are given when you reach certain milestones like making your first highlight, bookmark or note, completing your first devotional, etc.

Finally, take yourself out once in a while and take out time to study your past highlights, bookmarks and notes.

Using Youversion Bible App requires self discipline as you may want to veer off to social media once in a while.

How I use Youversion Daily and how it’s helped me

I read Youversion Bible every morning before I leave my bed and I highlight scriptures I love so I can go back to them. And like I mentioned earlier, this has helped my Word life.

I call it the “smart Bible” because when I’m trying to remember a scripture and I only remember a word or two from it, I just search and youversion produces it for me even when I don’t spell the words correctly.

My friends on Youversion are really encouraging. They highlight powerful scriptures and it shows on the home feed so I just click on the scripture and read it too. This gives me the opportunity to grow in God’s Word with my friends.

I take devotionals for various aspects of life and I learn powerful lessons daily.

It’s my prayer that as you study, you get revelation of God’s Word and grow deeper in your intimacy with God.

I hope you learned from this post. You can leave your questions or thoughts below.

Do you use Youversion and what’s your favorite feature on it?

Don’t forget to comment, subscribe and share this post with your friends.

Read also : What to do when God seems silent.

Scriptural declarations for your life and finances