Discouraged Writer

HOPE FOR THE DISCOURAGED WRITER

By
Nancy Arant Williams

Do you ever doubt yourself as a writer? Did you know that you’re abnormal if you don’t? Nearly every writer experiences feelings of doubt, wondering, “What if I have no talent? What if no one wants to read what I write? Even seasoned, published authors wonder, “What will I do for an encore?” And though momentary doubts are normal, ongoing doubt will produce paralysis.

One problem is that writing is a solitary vocation, producing varied degrees of isolation, which, in itself, can be depressing, but the Christian writer has a resource that is its own reward--the anointed calling of the Most High God.

I always had a yearning to write, but told the Lord I would never write unless He gave me something worth writing, because, to be honest, it seemed to me there was little left that hadn’t already been said. So when He finally said to me, “Sit down. I’m going to teach you to write, I was as surprised, to say the least, because I never thought it would happen.

So did I have doubts? You bet—in droves. Even after hearing His clear direction, I had so much to learn that I despaired of learning it all. And like every other writer, my first efforts were sadly lacking, making me wonder if I would ever produce anything worthy to be read.

I would struggle with feelings of inadequacy, wondering if the myriad hours of effort would ever pay off. But I needn’t have worried, because when God inspires a person to write, it’s not simply a fluke of the writer’s creative disposition, but rather, an anointed beckoning to become the pen, jotting down the heart cry of the Lord God Himself.

If you, as a writer, are discouraged, it may help to ask yourself this pointed question: Did God place it on my heart to write, or is it simply my desire? If God did, indeed, lay it on your heart to write, He has ordained it, and it will happen when you have done your part, learning and honing your craft, working hard to master the skills He will teach you.

If He has anointed your writing, you can be comforted and encouraged by the verses in Psalm 138. “I will give Thee thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to Thee before the gods. I will bow down toward Thy holy temple, and give thanks to Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth. For Thou hast magnified Thy word, according to all Thy name. On the day I called, Thou didst answer me; Thou didst make me bold with strength in my soul. All the kings of the earth will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, when they have heard the words of Thy mouth. And they will sing of the ways of the Lord. For great is the glory of the Lord. For though the Lord is exalted, yet He regards the lowly, but the haughty He knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me; Thou wilt stretch forth Thy hand against the wrath of my enemies and Thy right hand will save me. The Lord will accomplish what concerns me. Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting. Do not forsake the works of Thy hands.”

As we look at this scripture, we see David bowing down, submitting himself to God. If we want to be used of God, you and I must empty ourselves of our own agendas, of any notions of fame and fortune, for anything done in the flesh will be burned, whereas, what is done in the spirit will produce eternal results, glorifying God and not man.

The next phrase says, “He knows the haughty from afar off.” Clearly, He despises pride, so we want to keep our hearts alert to that and yet gratefully enjoy the fruits of our hands when He brings the rewards.

As we read on in Psalm 138, we see that when David called, the Lord answered him, making him bold. If you recall, David penned many psalms filled with doubt and worry, but when he cast his cares on the Lord, He strengthened and encouraged his heart.

Then David goes on to say that all the kings of the earth, in other words, all mankind, will glorify God when they hear the words of the Lord. I believe this is true as never before--that in the last days, the simple, clearly-presented gospel of Jesus Christ (even as told in fiction) will do its own work, piercing the hearts of the unredeemed.

And that is where you and I come in. To us, He has assigned the ‘telling’. And what He ordains, He fulfills, with nothing lacking, according to the promises of His Word. The next phrase in our passage is my favorite. “The Lord will accomplish what concerns me.” What an awesome promise.

If He has instilled in you a deep desire to write for Him, your task is to simply yield to Him, asking Him to write through you. As we ask, He delights to fill us with His Spirit, and by that Spirit, reveal His plan, one word at a time. His words spoken in His time become rhema words, instant in season and out of season, according to the scripture. The Word is a live entity, able to change to the uttermost, those who hear it. And with His anointing, our words will change lives as well.

He will make a way if we simply step away from the desires of our flesh and say, “What do you want me to write?”

Then we must tell ourselves the truth--that as scripture says, perfect love casts out fear. If he has anointed our writing, He can also be trusted to bring the increase. If you think about it, here is where it is essential to become that ‘little child’ He wants us to be.

If we have to struggle to ‘make it happen’, you can be sure it will not happen, because our focus is on us instead of on Him. Let me say that again. When we change our focus, taking our gaze off of our wants and goals and simply become the child, He will become to us the Abba, who completes the work as we simply follow His lead. And that, my writer friend, is our place of rest.

In rest, we can throw off the cares, worries, doubts and distractions, getting down to the business of writing His words. And when all is said and done, isn’t that exactly what we want?

What higher calling is there than writing, lifting up the King of Kings, Jesus Christ?

I challenge you who are discouraged: ask Him for src
iptures to hold onto, personalized, just for you. When you keep your focus on His promises and choose to stand in faith, you can be sure He won’t deny His own will, which is to finish the work (of writing) He has begun in you. Remember the scripture—“He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

You and I have only one occupation, to be a pleasing fragrance of worship to Jesus Christ. If He has called you to write, your anointed words will become a fine and rare perfume, incense pleasing to God, while changing the hearts of men.

So put away discouragement. Stand and tell the enemy (in Jesus’ name)—that he had no place in the life of the beloved, because you hold the promise of God on the subject. As you stand and speak it, he has to flee and leave you to get on with it. So write on, beloved!!

http://www.nancyarantwilliams.com
nancyarantwilliams@windstream.net

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