Book Review: What Keeps You Up at Night by Pete Wilson

A year ago I was coming home from She Speaks amazed and excited! While in Charlotte I had been contacted by a publisher and was anticipating a book contract by the beginning of 2015. I found an incredible literary agent and worked hard to craft a book proposal.

That first proposal was rejected. I wrote a second one … and it still sits in a pile somewhere at the publisher.

To say I was crushed would be an understatement. I’ve struggled hard since the beginning of 2015 trying to figure out why God would seemingly open this door only to have it shut firmly in my face. Why would a publisher contact me only to then say no.

I’ve floundered a lot this year. My prayers have been full of “Why” and “What now” … I find myself continually uncertain about what it is the Lord has for me, what He is calling me to do.

Truth be told, I wanted to quit.

Quit writing. Quit teaching. Quit speaking.

At one point the feelings of rejection and hopelessness left me totally overwhelmed. I was dealing with anxiety in ways I had never faced before. Thankfully, I have a great support network. My husband gave me the tough love I needed. My friends accepted my honesty and have surrounded me with prayer and accountability. My doctor was quick to listen and provide me with options and support.

I’ve been praying for clarity and direction almost daily for the past year. There have been points when I have questioned almost everything I thought I’d heard God speak to me. I have doubted everything I believed about what He created me to do.

I’ve been discouraged and frustrated, hopeless and afraid.

Maybe you can relate?

Earlier this year I was invited to join the launch team for Pete Wilson’s newest book.  His previous book, Let Hope In,* is one of my favorites and I was thrilled to be a part of introducing others to What Keeps You Up at Night?* Little did I know how much this book would meet me right where I was. {Isn’t God good that way?}

As I was praying for clarity and asking God to give me a clear indication about what I should do next concerning writing, I read these words in Pete’s book:

I’d be willing to bet that some of you are praying for clarity these days.

God, how much longer is this going to go on?

God, when will things get better?

God, give me a sign of what we should do.

But, maybe you don’t need more clarity. Maybe what you need is more trust. (p.23)

Um, hello? Can Pete read my mind????

I continued reading and got to this sentence, “. . . most of us give up too easily and too early.” (p.25)

Ouch.

You see, that was me. I wanted to give up. I wanted to quit because it wasn’t happening like I’d expected. And then I looked around at my life and I realized, far too often I do give up too easily. I throw up my hands in exasperation and determine to try something else, something less frustrating and less difficult. And I’d guess there are at least a few of you reading who are the same way.

I don’t know what the hard situation you are facing is. I don’t know what the dreams you are about ready to give up on are. I don’t know how close you are to calling it quits.

But I do know this, God is calling us to more. He’s asking us to take that next step, even when it’s scary, especially when it’s scary. He’s inviting us to live in His story and that means we can’t skip to the end and see what happens. We have to journey through it all … the hard days, the days we want to give up, the rejection, the fear, all of it. Because it’s there, in that hardest part when we choose not to give up that we find out our faith is real and there is hope and His plan is good.

If you are ready to quit, may I recommend you get Pete’s book, What Keeps You Up at Night?* A gentle guide who speaks truth and wisdom with grace, Pete is a storyteller who beckons us to join the only Story that really matters — the one God is writing in and through us to point to Him.

xo,

Teri Lynne

When have you wanted to give up and what kept you from doing so?

{I received a signed copy of Pete’s book as a thank you for being on his launch team. The opinion shared in this post is entirely my own.}