Trusting God’s Best: How Faith Shapes My Writing Journey

Guest Blogger & Author
Heidi Gray McGill

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight"  (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV).

 As a Christian author, I share how prayer, faith, and trusting God’s direction led to my debut novel, Desire of My Heart, and how He continues to guide my writing.

The Role of Faith in Writing
As an independently published author, the journey to create a story that fuses faith and fiction is one of trust and growth. God has taught me invaluable lessons along the way, not only in writing but in life. Through prayer, seeking His guidance, and embracing His plan, I’ve learned to let go of my desires and follow His perfect will. Today, I’m excited to share a bit of my heart and how it connects with my debut novel, Desire of My Heart the first book in my Discerning God’s Best series.

A Heart for Christian Historical Fiction

As a Christian author, my passion lies in writing Christian Historical Fiction that reflects faith's challenges and triumphs. I strive to show how God works through our struggles and joys with every character I create. The historical backdrop is more than just a setting; it’s a way for me to explore God’s timeless truths within a specific historical moment. In Desire of My Heart, set against a pre-Civil War community backdrop, the characters wrestle with love, loss, and faith in the same way we do today.

The Birth of Desire of My Heart
Writing Desire of My Heart was a long journey. I didn’t set out to write a novel—it started with a calling, a story that had been quietly forming in my heart. I wanted to create a work of Christian Historical Fiction that entertained and encouraged readers to trust God’s plans, no matter how uncertain life may seem. The book explores themes of healing, redemption, and the beauty of God’s grace. While writing, I reflected on my life, the challenges I’ve faced, and how God has shown up. This book is deeply personal, especially since it marks the beginning of the Discerning God’s Best series. The lessons from my own experiences—trusting in God’s best, discerning His will, and having faith in His timing—are woven into the characters' lives while I fleshed them out in my faith walk. Throughout the writing, God taught me to surrender my timeline and trust Him with the story He had planned. It’s easy to get caught up in our ideas of success, but when we hand our work over to Him, He shapes it into something far greater than we could imagine. One key lesson that resonates through Desire of My Heart is that God’s timing is perfect. While the characters in the novel must wait for God’s provision and healing, I also learned the same lesson in my own life. Patience isn’t always easy, but it’s in the waiting that we learn to rely entirely on God.

Looking Ahead: 

The Discerning God’s Best Series

I’m thrilled to share that Desire of My Heart is the beginning of the Discerning God’s Best series. The next book, With All My Heart, continues the journey of discerning God’s will for our lives. It reminds us that God’s best is always worth waiting for and that He has a purpose for each one of us. Each book in the series features different characters, but the underlying message is always the same: God is in control, and when we trust in His plan, we discover true fulfillment and peace. I hope my story and the journey of Desire of My Heart resonate with you. Whether you’re a reader or a writer, the message is clear: Trust God’s timing, follow His direction, and allow His story to unfold in your life. Writing this book was an act of faith, and I believe it will encourage anyone seeking to discern God’s best for their life.

Also on Audible - 

About the Author 
Heidi Gray McGill writes impactful Christian fiction, blending faith, hope, and love with humor and depth. Despite blindness, she has authored twelve books, including the Discerning God’s Best series. Heidi lives near Charlotte, NC, with her husband of over 30 years. She enjoys family, cooking, games, and finding inspiration daily.

Connect with Heidi Gray McGill (links)

Heidi Gray McGill invites you to stay connected and explore the stories that inspire her heartfelt writing. As a special gift, she’s offering her free prequel, Deep in My Heart, available in both eBook and audiobook formats. This captivating journey from South Carolina to the Midwest sets the stage for Desire of My Heart. Visit https://heidigraymcgill.com/free_book/ to join her mailing list and embark on a path of faith, hope, and inspiration alongside Heidi.

You can also connect with Heidi on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill

https://www.youtube.com/@authorheidigraymcgill/?sub_confirmation=1

https://twitter.com/HeidiGrayMcGill

https://www.instagram.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill/