Gifts of Good Words: Equipped Devotional

Follow the Gifts of Good Words Blog Hop taking place from November 4-18, 2020, and find quality Canadian Christian books for those on your Christmas list! Then on November 18th, join the Good Words Virtual Book Fair on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/3376193032494045

Today I would like to introduce you to my book, Equipped: Ephesians 6 Devotionals to Empower and Make You Victorious in Everyday Life.

Equipped Devotional Book by Ruth L. Snyder

Can you explain the inspiration for your book?

The main inspiration for this book came from God working in my life. I knew the basics about spiritual warfare, but in the past few years God gave me some very practical lessons—a prodigal daughter, marriage struggles, and my dad living with dementia. There were days I felt like I could barely breathe, let alone deal with the realities of life. God provided a prayer team and they supported me as I learned to lean on my Heavenly Father in new ways. God prompted me to write a devotional book based on Ephesians 6:10-18.

What was your main motivation for writing it?

To be honest, I resisted writing it at first. I knew that if I tackled this topic, I, along with my family, would become spiritual targets. However, God continued to prompt me, and I decided to obey. So I guess my main motivation would be obedience to God.

What were some of the struggles you faced when writing this book?

Along with the usual struggles writers face (getting distracted, shortage of time, technology issues), I faced unexpected challenges in our family, in my work with InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship, and burnout. When my first editor read the manuscript, she encouraged me to put it away for a while. I just wanted to be done with it. I had a good cry, and put away the manuscript. God encouraged me (through people) to just rest for a season (as much as is possible when you have children with special needs). I was ready to tackle revisions after about six months. The time of rest was absolutely necessary and the book is definitely stronger than it would have been.

How has God been equipping you in your ministry as a writer? As a woman? As a mother? In any other areas of life?

As a Christian writer, God has been equipping me by teaching me to dig deeper into God’s word and pray. I pray about my writing, during my writing, and also pray for those who read what I write. Personally, God has been equipping me by helping me learn how to be still and listen to His voice, to pace myself better, and also how to practice self-care. I cannot minister to others from an empty tank. God has also shown me I can minister more effectively when I am willing to be vulnerable. This world can be a difficult place, and people are looking for answers. When I share my struggles and how God brought me through, others listen and learn. I tend to be more of a Martha personality—a doer. God is equipping me to be a better mother by reminding me to just walk beside my children and be with them. I am learning to enjoy precious times with them instead of becoming frustrated when they interrupt my train of thought. God has also blessed me with my first grandchild. He loves when I sing and play with him, and I look forward to learning more with and from him.

Please give us some insight into your background. How did growing up as a ‘missionary kid’ equip you for the future?

I was six weeks old when my parents left North America. I learned the value of reading and writing through hearing my mother read letters from relatives and friends in North America. (At that time, there was not internet or email. We waited weeks or months for letters to cross the ocean.)

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour while we were in South Africa. I learned many spiritual lessons by watching my parents and being involved in ministry with them. They talked about the power of Satan evidenced in daily life around us, but they also demonstrated how to pray and gain victory through God’s power. When I was eight, I attended school five hundred miles away from my parents. My faith grew by leaps and bounds as I learned to trust my Heavenly Father in new ways, and my writing skills were also honed as I wrote letters to my parents.

What do you hope to see accomplished through this book? Who will benefit from reading it?

It is my prayer that women will be equipped for daily victory. So often we drift through life, forgetting that we are in a battle. God has provided everything we need to live fruitful, effective lives. My target audience for this book is Christian women, ages 30 – 60, although others will benefit as well.