Jerusha: We haven’t had an interview with a FW Friend for a long time, and I’m thrilled to bring it back with a chat with Christian author Liz Johnson! Liz writes fantastic suspense and contemporary romance. She’s graciously giving away one free print copy of her brand new romance, A Sparkle of Silver, to one of you. Leave a comment below for a chance to win!
Thanks for joining me for a chat today, Liz! So great to talk with you. I know you have a new release that’s coming out tomorrow (yay!). Do you deal with the topic of fear in this romance, A Sparkle of Silver?
Millie Sullivan is a single woman working two jobs just to keep herself afloat and keep her grandmother, who struggles with dementia, in an assisted living facility. When her grandma’s position in the home is at risk, Millie worries about how she’ll come up with the money to find her grandma a safe place to live.
Her grandmother’s favorite hymn is “It Is Well,” and Millie searches for that peace in the midst of the struggle, but it’s not easy for her to find with so much at stake.
Sounds like such a relatable story, Liz. “It is Well” is my favorite hymn, too! Moving from fiction to real life, do you have any secret fear you’d be willing to share with our Fear Warrior community?
Car washes. I’m afraid of getting stuck in drive through car washes, so I almost always go to the ones where the attendant drives it through for me.
Wow, I can see that! Car washes have to be terrifying for people with claustrophobia, as well. Outside car washes, what has been your experience with fear? Have you found a way to battle your fears?
About eight years ago, I struggled with panic attacks so bad that I ended up in the ER one night, thinking I was having a heart attack.
It was terrible. I couldn’t catch my breath. My heart was racing. And more than once I blacked out.
But my doctor assured me that the symptoms were a product of what was going on in my head, so I set out to find some help. I started seeing a Christian counselor, who helped me talk about what was really going on in my life and causing this panic.
That was a really eye-opening time in my life as I realized that I wasn’t asked to deal with my fears on my own. Jesus said that all who are weary and burdened should come to Him, and He will give them rest.
What an amazing invitation not to try to suffer on our own but to come to the One who has suffered with us and for us. There’s something freeing about being able to share our fears.
Such an encouraging story of God’s healing power, Liz. Thanks for sharing that and the reminder that Jesus wants us to lay our burdens, even our anxieties, on Him. So when you’re faced with fear in your life now, what is your first go-to “weapon” for fighting that fear?
Prayer. It goes back to being reminded that these fears are not mine alone to handle. When I lay them at the foot of the cross, I don’t have to carry them anymore.
Amen. What a powerful truth! I know you’re a (terrific) writer for the Lord and the enemy likely has launched more than one attack on you to keep you from your calling, as he does to all of us in any walk of Christian life. What fears attempt to keep you from pursuing that calling and how do you battle them?
I deal with two very real and very different fears as a writer: the fear of failure and the fear of success.
One is the fear that no one will like what I’ve written and that everyone will realize I’m a fraud. The other is that I will write something great that I’ll never be able to live up to again.
The great news is that I’m not defined by either of them.
When I focus on my identity as a beloved child of God, I don’t have to fear either. Whatever happens with my writing, if I’m using my talents for God’s glory, I don’t have to fear the results. That’s entirely up to Him.
Love that, Liz. Thank you for that encouragement for all of us, no matter what God calls us to do with our lives and gifts. When you’re fighting against the fears you’ve mentioned, what is your favorite Bible verse that gives you courage and strength for the battle?
I love Joshua 1:9:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
There are so many verses about fear in the Bible, and many of them are paired with the promise that God is with you.
We don’t battle fear in our own power. We battle it with God on our side, walking right beside us.
Such a terrific verse to remind us of the powerful truth that our God is with us! Here at the FW Blog, we’ve talked about collecting a Fear Warrior Playlist, songs that help us to fight our fears. What’s on your Fear Warrior Playlist?
Lately I’ve been loving “Wherever I Go” by Dan Bremnes and “Even If” by MercyMe.
This has been so much fun to chat with you, Liz! One more, just-for-fun question before we say good-bye: What’s your favorite scary movie?
My favorite scary movie is The Prestige. It’s so incredibly twisty with surprises around every corner. When I saw it in the theaters, I had to call my dad on my drive home and be on the phone with him when I walked into my empty house.
LOL! Yes, that movie is intense! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us today and share your personal fight for fearless. This has been so encouraging for my own fight against fear!
Now it’s your turn, readers! What’s your favorite fear-fighting verse or song on your FW playlist? How were you encouraged by what Liz shared today? Please leave a comment to let us know! (See below for giveaway details.)
By day Liz Johnson is a marketing manager. She makes time to write late at night—that’s when she thinks best anyway.
Liz is the author of more than a dozen novels, a New York Times bestselling novella, and a handful of short stories. She’s a Christy Award finalist and a two-time ACFW Carol Award finalist.
She makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona, where she enjoys exploring local music, theater, and doting on her nieces and nephews.
She writes stories of true love filled with heart, humor, and happily ever afters.
Connect with Liz at her website or on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Liz Johnson is giving away one print copy of her hot-off-the-presses novel, A Sparkle of Silver! To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment below! (Winner to be randomly selected Oct. 22, 2018; Winner must have continental U. S. mailing address.)
Ninety years ago, Millie Sullivan’s great-grandmother was a guest at oil tycoon Howard Dawkins’ palatial estate on the shore of St. Simons Island, Georgia. Now, Millie plays a 1920s-era guest during tours of the same manor. But when her grandmother suggests that there is a lost diary containing the location of a hidden treasure on the estate, along with the true identity of Millie’s great-grandfather, Millie sets out to find the truth of her heritage–and the fortune that might be hers.
When security guard Ben Thornton discovers her snooping in the estate’s private library, he threatens to have her fired. But her story seems almost too ludicrous to be fiction, and her offer to split the treasure is too tempting to pass up . . .
Get ready for a romantic escapade through dark halls and dusty corners that will have you holding your breath and sighing with delight as two charming characters get caught up in the adventure of uncovering the past and finding their way to an unexpected future.
Comments 22
Thanks for the fun interview! Your newest book looks great.
Thanks, MJ!
What a powerful and encouraging reminder, Liz. Thank you for sharing and for writing your novel! It looks amazing!
Thanks, Robyn! I hope you’ll cling to the truth of God in moments of fear.
Wonderful encouragement! I’m afraid of car washes too. I’m worried I won’t know when to stop driving forward over that hooptie thing and afraid I’ll get stuck and the machine will go. EEEEK. A Sparkle of Silver looks great!
Sharee, I’m glad I’m not alone in my fear of car washes! 🙂 I’m afraid it will stop while I’m in the middle of it and unable to get out. Hope you get to read the book!
Looks like a good book! I’m afraid to drive on snowy and icy roads. I got hit several years ago on a snowy hill and have been afraid since. I get those panic attacks you were talking about at the thought of even having to do it.
Beverly, I don’t like driving on icy roads either! But I hope when you feel those panic attacks coming in, I hope you’ll lean on our big God.
Liz, thank you for sharing your heart today! I really needed to read these words. I’ve been there and it’s not a fun place to be. In my debut novel I put that Bible verse on my heroine’s coffee mug because it’s on my favourite coffee mug too. We all need to be reminded to tweak our crowns and remember every day who we belong to! Our writing is for Him and He’s the one who fave is the gift of words. No need to enter me in the draw as I live in Canada.
Laurie, I’m so glad my words could be an encouragement to you. I love it when God lets something we go through be a help to someone else. Remember who we belong to! 🙂 Great words!
Liz, congratulations on your release. Your book looks and sounds AMAZING.
I don’t really fear much, but I do battle worrying..I use the word concern instead and try to remember how vain it is and how worry is a waste if I truly believe in God’s power and dominion.
Thanks, Tina! I totally understand worrying. I can sink into that to sometimes. But I’m reminded of Philippians 4–Be anxious for nothing. And then Paul goes on to tell us the antidote to worry–thanksgiving and prayer. I think it’s human nature to worry, and God knows that. So he’s given us direct access to him through prayer, so we don’t have to stew on it. Hugs!
Do not enter me in the giveaway. I have this preordered for my Kindle.
Thank you.
I loved this interview so much. Your words: “When I focus on my identity as a beloved child of God, I don’t have to fear either. Whatever happens with my writing, if I’m using my talents for God’s glory, I don’t have to fear the results. That’s entirely up to Him.” So beautiful & encouraging! Prayer & worship are my go to for conquering fear & worry. My current fav songs are Warrior by Ledger and joy. by For King & Country. Fav hymn is Be Thou My Vision (Celtic version is amazing) 💙 I’m still scared of clowns & scorpions though 😂
I’m scared of scorpions too! 🙂 But I like your go-to actions for conquering fear. God is so good to be with us, especially in our times of weakness.
Author
Thanks for these great fear-fighting tips, Denise! Prayer and worship are such great ways to defeat fear. I’ll have to check out those songs for my Fear Warrior Playlist! Be Thou My Vision is one of my favorites, too. The lyrics are SO powerful!Thanks for stopping by!
I am so glad we have a Father we can go to in prayer when we have fears. And that Jesus too all on himself for us even our fears! Thanks for the encouraging words.
Congrats on the new release, it’s getting a lot of good buzz on Facebook. I am not too fond of car washes either but my fear is the kind you use the wand to wash it yourself. A woman was kidnapped from one of those places and killed in our city many years ago. I feel very vulnerable at one of those places. I like your verse but I do bring someone with me to the car wash.
The book sounds awesome! I would LOVE to read it!!
Author
Congratulations, Paty! You’re the randomly selected winner of Liz Johnson’s A Sparkle of Silver! I’ll contact you via email with more details.
Thanks for the interview.
Author
Thanks for stopping by, Linda!