Write with Endurance

I’d spent untold hours polishing my prose until it shone like glass. “Nailed this baby!” Or so I thought. Then, I submitted my “baby” to my Inspire Critique Group—eager for their feedback. My fellow writers said my writing had improved. They loved my message. Then, they proceeded to tell me how I could make the chapter better.

My shoulders slumped. And that melancholy voice inside of me groaned. “What made you think you could write a book? Maybe you should quit.”

Thankfully, I no longer listen to myself. I’ve learned how to write with endurance. Here’s four things that might help you too.

1) Write by Faith

If God equipped you to write, then write. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) we’re encouraged to use our God-given talents rather than bury them. What that looks like will be different for each of us. I’ve been published in church newsletters, devotionals, magazine articles, and a “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book. Regardless of the publication, my desire is to glorify God. Even when I write something that doesn’t get published, I feel God’s pleasure because I’m using the gift He’s given to me.

However, I admit that when I don’t reach my writing goals by a certain time, I get frustrated. Some days I want to beat myself up. But God compels me to write. So I’ve learned to walk in obedience by faith, and not by sight. Just because I don’t get the feedback I want, or I haven’t progressed as far as I’d like, doesn’t mean God isn’t in this.

2) Lay Aside Everything that Hinders

Hebrews 12:1 talks about laying aside everything that hinders us so we can run with endurance the race marked out for us. I’ve adopted that same principle when it comes to my writing. A friend once told me to worship, wait, and then write. In my eagerness to write, there are times I’m tempted to skip the worship and waiting on God’s guidance. Not good. God’s Spirit is part of the creative process and empowers me to write. So I’m learning to lay aside my impatience and a prideful attitude that assumes I can write anything in my own strength.

Other things also hinder my writing. When my smart phone beeps whenever there’s a new notification, my eyes wander to the phone and I’m running down rabbit trails. I have to discipline myself to mute the phone and place it out of sight. An even greater hindrance to writing are my emotions and excuses. Do any of these sound familiar: I’m too busy to write. I’m too old. Improving my craft is too hard. I’m not good enough. Who cares if I write? What’s the point? My prayer is that we can lay aside whatever hinders us from writing, and endure till the Lord says, “It is finished.”

3) Limit our Vision

Hebrews 12:2 says, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith….” I’m easily distracted and fall into the comparison trap when I look horizontally instead of fixing my eyes on Jesus. If a fellow writer is ahead of me, and more successful, I panic or crumble. If the writer is lagging behind, my chest puffs up. Neither attitude is acceptable before God. I think of the John 21:22 when Peter asked Jesus how He planned to use another disciple in God’s Kingdom? Jesus responded, “If I want him to … what is that to you? You follow me.” God has marked out the race for each of us. My job isn’t to question God’s plan for others. My job is to follow Jesus and write what He lays on my heart.

4) Writer Companions

Being a writer is a lonely profession, but we’re not meant to travel solo. Fellow writers, who understand our passion for the written word as well as our frustrations, are paramount in a writer’s journey. That’s why being plugged into an Inspire Christian Writers’ critique group and attending the monthly evening chats can be mutually beneficial. It’s a safe place where writers can encourage one another’s hearts and pray for each other because being a writer isn’t all about the writing.


What have you learned to help you write with endurance?


Triathlete Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash · Rucksack Photo by Ian Keefe on Unsplash

About Karen Foster 13 Articles
Karen Foster is a nonfiction writer and speaker and author of Lunch with Loretta: Discover the Transforming Power of Mentoring Friendship. Her story, "Tender Mercies" appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Military Families (May 2017). Karen's articles and devotions have been published in The Upper Room, The Bible Advocate, Now What?, Discipleship Journal, and Moms Next. She blogs at KarenFosterAuthor.com Or follow her on Twitter @eveninthis.

9 Comments

  1. There are so many things I love about this post, Karen. But my favorite part was, “Even when I write something that doesn’t get published, I feel God’s pleasure because I’m using the gift He’s given to me.” I just love the concept of feeling His pleasure when you write.

  2. Praise God for this article, my sister. Very insightful, convicting and encouraging. It’s almost like, okay, has Karen been bugging my house and phone?! The Lord knows my present struggles in getting back on track with my writing, and He has used you to address them with me. God bless you!

    • Thank you Laurel for taking the time to comment. I praise the Lord for using anything I’d write to encourage someone else. May HIS Spirit renew your heart and spur you forward!

  3. Thank you so much for your article! The timing is incredible! I’ve had so many people tell me I should be writing, but fear has stopped me. God’s been convicting my heart to just write in faith and let Him do the rest. And then, I “just happened” upon your article. I know now I must (and want) to start writing again.

    • Karen, praise the Lord if anything I wrote encouraged your heart. Sounds like God’s perfect timing …what you needed to hear, at just the right time in your life. Fear cripples us. Find specific scripture you can use to send the enemy running the next time you want to write and he whispers. defeat in your ear. Satan prefers to keep you lukewarm instead of sharing the message God gave you to write about. So what are you waiting for? Press on, my friend! Let me know how it goes.

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