Friday, September 11, 2009

Nerves and Jitters and fears... Oh my!

So at this time next week, I'll be in Denver, soaking in my first ACFW conference. Over on the ACFW loop, current discussions include favorite - and nightmarish - memories from conferences past. I have to say, they've been fun to read. Some have been downright hilarious and make me even more excited to get there and make my own favorite conference memories.

But others (the nightmarish ones), although a hoot, if I dwell on them too long, start stressing me out! Tripping over stuff, spilling coffee on your shirt right before an editor meeting, falling off benches, lost luggage, getting lost yourself, an editor's eyes glazing over during your pitch, yada yada. Just a confirmation that there are lots of things that could potentially go wrong.

However...

I have decided that when things go wrong, not only is it a wonderful opportunity to laugh at ourselves (probably not so much at the time, but later), it could also be that God will teach us something in the process. No, I don't think God makes the bad stuff happen, but keeping us humble and dependant on Him is something He enjoys. And, hey. If He gets a few chuckles out of it, all the better! Hopefully when we take a step back from our humiliation and distress, we'll realize the world really didn't come to an end and have a laugh at our own expense, too.

But let's be real. As much as I want to say I'm totally calm about attending my very first ACFW conference, I can't lie. I'm nervous! So here's the deal. I'm going to post a list of things I'm nervous about and you guys can help me out by offering me a Bible verse about those things. I'd post the verses myself, but I have to leave in twenty minutes. Plus, I'd love to hear what verses you come up with.

I will then print the list to take with me to Denver.

Oh - If you don't have a verse, but want to offer an encouraging word on any of my fears, I'll take it.

So here is the list. And thanks in advance for your help. :-)

Things I'm nervous about:
  1. Traveling alone (I'm very sheltered. LoL)
  2. Getting lost
  3. Forgetting something I "needed"
  4. Meeting my favorite authors (will I be too star-struck to speak?)
  5. Constantly smiling and laughing while chatting with a group of people and realizing later that something black is stuck in my teeth.
  6. Spilling food or drink on myself
  7. Spilling food or drink on someone else
  8. Tripping
  9. Falling
  10. Stumbling over my words at an editor or agent appointment
  11. Forgetting what my book is about.
  12. Calling someone by the wrong name
  13. Winning my category in the Genesis contest
  14. Placing last in the Genesis contest
  15. Altitude sickness (it is the mile high city, you know)
  16. No interest in my work
  17. Being too self-conscious and nervous to hear what the Holy Spirit is speaking to my heart.

So any words of encouragement or Bible verses that come to mind? I'd appreciate hearing them!

Don't forget to leave a comment on my Monday and Wednesday post. You could WIN a copy of Deborah Vogts and Maureen Lang's latest novels! The winners will be announced next week.

Hope you all have a blessed weekend!

9 comments:

Kevin Spear said...

I read this in Isaiah this morning. Looks like this can apply to your situation.

Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one to fear, he is the one you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary.

Isaiah 8:12-14

Lynda Lee Schab said...

LOVE that, Kevin! Truly a verse to hold onto. Thank you!

Dara said...

I think you'll be fine! And even if one of those (or more) does happen, remember it's happened to dozens of others too!

This time next week I'll be in trying to sleep but too anxious cause I'll be too excited about Disney World the following day :) And the fact that I hate flying because of the motion sickness...

Lynda Schultz said...

Long one: "Do not be anxious about ANYTHING, but in EVERYTHNG, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" —Philippians 4:6, 7.

Now comes the hard part—giving your list to God and NOT, under any circumstances, snatching it out of his hands.

You'll do wonderfully well.

Lynda Lee Schab said...

THANK YOU, Lynda! That is one of my favorites. Now I just have to learn to stand on it. :-)

Dara...prayers for your trip to Disney to be wonderful and motion-sickness free! You're going to have a fabulous time!

Julie Arduini said...

Off the top of my head, Proverbs 3:5-6 (Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own undersanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.)

if you'd like, I'd be honored to pray through these fears for you, or, send me an e mail with a general itinerary and I'll keep up with it through prayer. Ex: if Thursday is meet with editor day, I focus on that, etc...

I can't wait to hear the praises. There will be many. I believe with you!

Lynda Lee Schab said...

Thanks so much, Julie! I really appreciate the prayers. I actually won't know my itinerary until I get there, as far as my appts, anyway. But your general prayers would be awesome.

I'll definitely be back with updates. :-)

Dorothy said...

Lynda I know a little about flying into the unknown. 11 years ago my husband and I took our two young children to Bangkok, Thailand for 12 months. It was a work assignment and seemed to stretch out forever. I was pregnant at the time with our third baby, and had many issues on my 'Nervous About" list.
Health and physical safety were at the top. I was worried about plane crashes, malaria, typhoid, rabies, aids. And that's just the beginning of my list.
A dear sister sent me the following scripture and it has been one of my favorite encouragements ever since.

It is Psalm 91 - the whole chapter. I am sure when you have a moment to read it you will be strengthened.

Think of your fears as lions and snakes. See what confidence the Lord can give to trample our enemies.

v.13.You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

v 14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name."

And be comforted by God's covering of safety. Remember it when you need to snuggle under the airplane blanket, or hotel room bedding.

v 4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."

You could also make another list of all the things you KNOW will be a blessing.

I'll start it for you
1. Dorothy will be praying for me :)
2. .......
3. .....


God bless
Dorothy
A FW friend

Lynda Lee Schab said...

Aw, thank you, Dorothy! Yes, you ARE a blessing! Today I may just blog about the things I'm looking forward to about the conference. And I'll focus on those things.

Thanks for the prayers!