Write2Ignite

Running Aground With Our Writing

What do we do when we find ourself running aground with our writing? You know. The times when we set our sails, push off from shore, head toward our goal, and without warning, run aground and come to a halt. The journey is not going at all as we expected. Unfortunately.

In our heart of hearts, we truly believe God called us to travel this writing journey alongside him, but then he steps back and allows the difficulties of the writing life to test what seems to contradict everything we felt God promised.

We feel like a ship which set out with sails full of promise, only to run aground on a sandbar on some remote island somewhere far from where we were headed.

Is There a Reason Our Writing Is Running Aground?

Do you ever wonder if perhaps God allows us to run aground to see how we will respond? Maybe to see how much we believe we’re doing what he wants us to do, despite the adversity?

I, for one, would much prefer smooth sailing in my writing journey. However, that has not been the case in my life. Not even in the least tiny bit.

The apostle Paul’s shipwreck on his way to Rome where he was put to death at the hand of a Roman soldier, comes to mind when I think of preserving in the adversity of writing. I think of Paul’s confidence and his trust in the One who called him to his mission.

There are several lessons from Paul’s story recorded in Acts 27 and 28 I’d like to share with my fellow writers, which I believe can encourage us as we strive to ran this writing race set before us with endurance.

Setting Out for the Other Shore

When we go through the struggles and storms, ups and downs, of writing, our faith tells us one way or the other, we’ll get to the other shore if we don’t give up.

Nevertheless, like Paul, before we get on the other side, we’ll probably run aground on some island of rejection and discouragement. (Acts 27:25-26)

God knows the exact spot, or in my case, many spots, where we’ll run aground. He knows when and how it will happen. He is aware of the outcome. The One who put the desire in our hearts to write knows how beat up, bruised, and broken we may be when we reach the other shore.

However, when we give thanks to God in the midst of our writing storms of rejection, low sales, lack of momentum, and discouragement, God strengthens us to keep on keeping on until the storm ends. (Acts 27:33-36)

After That Daylight Comes

We’ve done our due diligence. Honed our craft. Written to the best of our ability. The editor requests a full manuscript. There is promise in their encouraging comments. Still, before we reach the calm bay in the distance, we hit a sandbar that destroys our ship.

After all the glowing words, they decide the manuscript is not for them. (Acts 27:39-41)

Grabbing Onto Flotsam

Jumping into the waves and grabbing onto the ship’s broken planks that float by, we refuse to give up. After struggling through the waves of doubt, disappointment, frustration, and despair, we finally reach the shore to start all over again. (Acts 27:44)

Only to be bitten by a viper while gathering firewood. (Acts 28:3)

Seriously?

Will Our Dreams Die?

Onlookers gather around and speculate about what we must have done to displease God so much to deserve all we’ve endured. They wait for us to die from the viper’s venom. They encourage us to face the facts, and give up on this “writing silliness”.

They tell us we’re wasting our time on something God obviously isn’t blessing, nor does he intend to bless, if all the rejections are any indication.

So, we begin to question.

Why can’t we get published? Why doesn’t anyone want to take us on as a client? What exactly is wrong with us and our writing? Perhaps we should simply give up on our foolish folly and take up something that doesn’t involve constantly being judge, rejected, and criticized.

But

We refuse. We can’t. We won’t.

Instead, we shut our ears to the naysayers. We shake off the voice of the Deceiver. The viper is thrown into the fire. It is the one that dies, not our dreams. (Acts 28:4-6)

The best part of all?

God sends encouragers alongside to strengthen us for the next go ’round. Until such a time as God allows the adversities to show up again. And we face life’s storms once more. (Acts 28:15)

Your Turn

Whether we are in a season where we need to be encouraged or a season where we are called to be an encourager, whenever we hit a sandbar and run aground, our Mighty Father is right there with us, helping us make it safely to shore.

When we are faithful to our call, whatever shore God prepares for us, is exactly where we are meant to be.

How many shipwreck tales of running aground with your writing can you tell? For me, I have so many, I’ve lost count.

Here’s another Write2Ignite encouraging post.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Here’s what you can expect from me. In my posts, you’ll find words of encouragement for writers, book reviews, and discussions on the craft of writing. I am a former elementary school teacher, regular contributor to Guideposts devotional books, and a conference speaker. I write articles, devotions, and stories for adult and children’s publications. You can find me every Tuesday and Thursday at www.sandykirbyquandt.com. Please stop by.