Every story starts somewhere—some in whispered prayers, others in tear-stained journals. Maybe yours has been tucked inside the pages of a notebook, waiting for the courage to come out. I know that place well. For me, journaling was where the conversation began, but publishing was where I discovered just how powerful that conversation could become—for me and for others.
For years, journaling was my personal outlet. It was therapeutic—a way to pour out prayers, struggles, and reflections. I’ve never had negative thoughts about journaling; it’s incredibly powerful. People can release all sorts of things through the power of journaling. It’s intimate, a conversation between you and the page, or you and God if you believe. The words you write may never leave your notebook, and that’s okay—journaling isn’t necessarily a gift we share. We often share from the breakthrough it brings, but not in the same way we would with a book.
Yet, journaling—while powerful—has limitations. It helps you heal, process, and gain clarity, but it often stays hidden. Journals are private treasures. They help you navigate life, but they don’t usually impact others unless you choose to share pieces of them. They are seeds planted, but in soil that never sees the light.
Something shifted when I took the leap of faith to publish. When I tapped into the gift and discipline of writing, I realized that nothing was off-limits. If I could think it, I could write about it. I also came to understand that I’m not meant to dive into every genre or idea that crosses my mind. Instead, I’ve learned to stay sensitive to what God is breathing on in each season. The possibilities are endless, and I love the creative freedom that comes with recognizing them.
Breakthroughs in Writing
I didn’t self-publish my first book until this year. My very first attempt was back in 2019 with a manuscript called He Won’t Let You Go. Looking back, I realize that project came at one of the hardest times of my life. I was still grieving the loss of my mom and trying to keep everything from falling apart. On the outside, I acted as if everything was okay, but internally I was imploding. I hired someone to help publish the book and left my job before it was released, thinking I was stepping into something new.
The truth was, I wasn’t ready—emotionally or spiritually. I pulled the book from Amazon without thinking clearly. A few copies still exist somewhere; I sold a handful to family and friends. That book became more than words—it was a lifeline, a space to grieve, to question, and to rediscover the power of God’s love amid pain. Family and friends still have a few copies, and it remains visible as one of the first books I ever wrote. What amazes me most is that even with so few copies in circulation, it helped people, though only two took the time to leave reviews during the short period it was available. God only knows what could have happened if I hadn’t pulled it. Maybe one day soon, I’ll revise and reintroduce it—because I now see how even unfinished beginnings can carry purpose.
Maybe you can relate to that—starting something before you were fully ready, yet learning lessons that shaped you for what came next. Sometimes, the words we write for our own survival become the seeds for what will later heal others.
My breakthrough in writing didn’t happen until 2025 when I released When Grief Touches Heaven. That book carried an entirely different purpose. Have you had a similar experience—where something that once broke you became the very thing God used to help others. My first book was about releasing the pain, but When Grief Touches Heaven was about discovering healing within it. The first book was the process; the second became the promise. It reminded me—and reminds anyone walking through loss—that your story doesn’t end with pain. There is purpose, perspective, and peace waiting on the other side, and when you share that healing, others find their own.
The Power of Legacy
Myles Munroe once said that one of the richest places on earth is the graveyard. Why? Because it holds dreams, visions, and books that were never written. People died with what God placed in them still locked inside. That truth shook me. Writing is about leaving a legacy. It is about releasing what God has entrusted to you so it doesn’t die with you.
Myles also reminded us that ideas outlive men. Death cannot kill an idea once it is released. But if it stays locked in your mind or in your journal, it dies with you. Writing ensures that what God put inside you continues to speak long after you are gone. In his words, “You must decide if you are going to rob the world or bless it with the rich, valuable, potent, untapped resources locked away within you.” That is what writing a book does—it blesses the world by releasing what you’ve been carrying.
Think about that for a moment: your book can keep speaking long after your voice is gone. Your ideas, testimonies, revelations, and solutions can still be at work in the lives of your children, grandchildren, communities, and readers you will never meet. That is the power of legacy in print.
Transformative Writing
Research has shown that writing and publishing a book doesn’t just change a reader—it transforms the author. Studies from psychology and education journals reveal that expressive writing improves mental clarity, emotional health, and confidence in decision-making. It strengthens communication skills and gives a deep sense of purpose. Authors often describe it as a healing process that rewires their thinking, helping them find meaning in their stories while inspiring others through authenticity and vulnerability.
Spiritually, this truth mirrors what many faith leaders have experienced.
- Joyce Meyer: Before she became one of the most influential Christian teachers in the world, Joyce struggled deeply with insecurity. She never imagined herself as a writer and resisted the idea for years. Yet, out of obedience, she began sharing her early teachings in written form. Her first publications were simple pamphlets and study notes, but those writings grew into more than 100 books that have reached millions. Joyce often says that writing helped her find clarity and boldness—it gave her words longevity beyond the pulpit and helped believers apply Scripture to everyday life.
- Priscilla Shirer: Priscilla’s writing journey began reluctantly. She never planned to become an author, only to teach what God placed in her heart. Her first book, A Jewel in His Crown, was written purely out of obedience, not ambition. She has shared in interviews that she didn’t feel qualified and preferred speaking over writing. Yet, that one act of obedience opened the door to global Bible studies, ministry partnerships, and a message of identity that continues to empower women worldwide. Today, she often reflects that her writing career was birthed not from desire, but from a divine assignment.
- Myles Munroe: Known first as a dynamic speaker and teacher, Myles once doubted his ability to write. He believed his gift was communication through spoken words, not the written page. However, when people began asking for written versions of his messages, he realized that writing could multiply his reach far beyond any stage. His obedience to put pen to paper resulted in more than 60 published works, many of which remain in print today. Through his books, his teachings on purpose, leadership, and the Kingdom of God continue to equip and inspire leaders around the world long after his passing.
Each of them discovered what I now know personally: writing in obedience isn’t about striving for recognition; it’s about surrendering to purpose. When you obey the call to write, you step into a process of growth—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The fruit comes later, often in ways you could never predict. Your story might start as a whisper, but when written and released, it can become a voice that never stops speaking.