“See, the enemy is puffed up;
his desires are not upright—
but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness"
I must admit I've been wrestling with my faithfulness to my writing lately, wondering if I have it to complete a novel. Since announcing that is my next step in my writing journey, my day job has become busier, taking my energy so American Idol and Reba repeats are all my mind seems to be able to handle after a day of work and kids and other such life stuff.
It's at these times I wonder if God is purposefully pulling me away from writing, or if it is spiritual warfare--the enemy acting against God's desire for me.
Or maybe it just isn't my time yet.
So I wait. But I do wait sitting down at times, lazy in my chair like those security guards in crime stories that fall asleep or leave their post just for a moment. And the enemy escapes.
The enemy escapes.
My blog posts, I feel, do not have the same quality they once had. And nor have I been commenting as much as I once was, visiting all of you.
Thankfully, I do have a second chance to stand back up, be on guard again, engaged and serving. I hope you will be patient with me as I shake out the 'falling asleep' tingles in my legs and get solid on my writing feet.
And faithfully take the next step.
Have you ever felt like you were under spiritual attack? Or how do you stay on guard and keep the enemy in a locked room?
23 comments:
I think that at times when the writing is just not there, we're immersed in a different part of the process. We're contemplating, or working something out on a different level. So hang in there!
I think we all go thought periods of ebb and flow. But yes, sometimes the underlying problem can feel spiritual--and that's when there's no substitue for prayer.
I feel like this quite often. All I can do is echo what Joanne said, hang in there. If you are meant to be writing, it will come.
Karen
I think my energy ebs and flows. I haven't had much lately for blogging, either. So I hope you will be patient with me.
Just don't give up hope.
I feel that way quite frequently. I just push myself to keep going and I trust that there will be a place out there for my book. Good luck Lynn. <3
I go through this at least once a year. I doubt my writing, doubt my blog posts, and just generally get sick of myself! But I always pull out of it eventually.
Be extra kind to yourself right now!
Oh, I can't even begin to say how much I understand. It's so difficult sometimes, especially lately - at least for me. There's not enough time, it feels like, but God's plan isn't for us to be rushed or stressed. That makes it difficult. I know time is short, but may I recommend Madeleine L'Engle's Walking on Water? It's full of beautiful, encouraging thoughts for writers.
And don't feel worried about blog posts. Sometimes, I feel like when the guilt comes because I haven't been blogging, that's Satan's work. Your call likely isn't to blog, so if you need to take a break, take it. :)
Hi Lynn -
Whenever there's a major change in schedule, it takes time to make adjustments. I started a new job six weeks ago and am still trying to find a balance.
These are the times when I review my priorities and decide what I'll consider the "big rocks in my jar." My relationship with the Lord, family, my job, and my writing all come under that category.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Ah yes. I have been here. I am occasionally still here.
Sometimes it's really hard to tell the difference between God telling you to move away from something, and Satan trying to pull you from it. Seems like it would be obvious whose hand is in it, but often it's not.
Pray, and keep moving forward. I think most of the time when God is calling us away from one passion, it is because he has another one he is calling us to. If there's no greater call on your heart, keep writing!
My life goes in crazy cycles - some are so busy I don't have time to blink never mind put my heart into my writing. Druing those times I try to blog as it doesn't require the same time and heart. Then I devote more time elsewhere to my writing. It's always a scramble for balance! :)
When I think of my writing and blog goals and my actual efforts, I feel like a failure most of the time. However, each day I get to choose how I will give joy and love and thanks - will it be through writing, or are there other ways I can learn, observe, grow? I'm sorry you feel discouraged. I hope you're able to find grace and delight in the midst of each season. That's what I'm trying for, whether I get my word count in or not.
Yes, I definitely have gone (and still go) through times of despair in writing (and even blogging).
I'm such a slow writer that sometimes I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and I'll never finish either. Just take it one day at a time and congratulate yourself on the days you do do a little writing.
I went through a phase like this a few years ago. Just keep plugging away! Don't put too much pressure on yourself -- and Joanne's right. Whether it's conscious or not, it's all part of the process.
Yes, I have. Have had more ups and downs than I can count. Praying for and thinking of you!
He only attacks those he;s threatened by so consider it a badge of honor! :) We'll still be here when the words find their way back to your fingertips!
Hello, I come to via another friends blog.. I am co~author of http://heartofthehome-blog.blogspot.com/ and I enjoyed browsing your blog and wanted to introduce ourselves.. Heart of the Home is a womens ministry reaching out to women with encouragement from Gods word and his design for women as wives, mothers, friends and etc.. Hope you will get a chance to stop by and visit us, and that we can become Blogging Buddies.. Have a great weekend.. God Bless
I am so there now. But feeling ok about stepping back awhile and waiting on God to point me in the right direction again:))
This is something I wonder all the time. Do I really have what it takes to finish? I have to remind myself to take it one day at a time, and that there is a time to every purpose under heaven.
We can do it!
The closest I've come is feeling frustrated that the answers I need aren't coming to me. Fortunately they do come when I go for a run. :D
I think you're doing awesome with your blogging. And I love that picture. Is that yours, Lynn? If so, how did you get that cool effect?
I hope your job slows down soon and you have the time and energy for other pursuits. Sometimes I think you just have to wait it out.
I feel badly like that right now and at times like this it's easy to feel forgotten or that the plan is not working like God had envisioned, but I suppose that we need to trust we will end up where He intended.
I feel that way all the time and that's when I take a step back and reexamine my priorities.
I am in the SAME PLACE spiritually and with my writing. Wondering if the enemy putting up road blocks or if its the Lord himself trying to tell me to ease back on the writing and blogging. Thank you for reminding me to take it back to prayer for answers.
Post a Comment