When You Get That Sinking Feeling
by Rebekah Love Dorris
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it”
I was in the zone.
Words poured from my fingers, filling the screen with “I’m-nailing-this” perfection. I smirked at my brilliant wordplay and decided someone else needed to share the joy of my eloquence.
Without bothering to edit, I copied and sent my draft to a couple of writer buddies for their honest critique. Which, I was sure, would be enthusiastic.
This morning, I read their reluctant responses.
“Well-intentioned …”
“Don’t quite agree with all of it …”
“A bit hard …”
When her best falls so far short of the mark, what’s a girl to do? One of those who offered her gentle, honest feedback is also trying to get a difficult piece written. By Sunday.
Both of us want to write something that nails it. A message to change things and make a difference. But then we realize our wisdom is feeble. Anemic.
Our Frozen Hours
Terrified to write another wasted word, we freeze. The thought of presenting such flawed writing to a potential critic sickens us. Worse yet, what if we harm someone vulnerable through “well-intentioned” mistakes?
So we procrastinate. We talk about writing, but don’t write.
The Ultimate Author’s Timing
And all the time, God brings things to our minds that prepare us for an upcoming moment. He directs us according to His perfect time. The words will come, and we will write them. By faith.
I think we get too big an idea of how important we are in the grand scheme of things. My writing is a tool God wants to use. He knows I’m foolish. That’s why He picked me. Not because I’m special, but because I’m just weak enough to know He’s the One doing it.
Moments of Encouragement from the Story-Finisher
If you’re worried about a task which seems too big, take heart in the words of the Ultimate Author. Allow these verses to comfort and encourage you (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, John 15:1-8, Isaiah 41:9-14, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31). And hold fast to the Finisher of your story.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31, KJV).
Lord, draw us to Your word when we’re overwhelmed with our inadequacy. Remind us that all we need to do is obey, that You are the real Author and Finisher of our faith and of our stories. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Rebekah Love Dorris enjoys joking with her husband, drawing with her kids, staring at her chickens, and keeping weeds out of the garden she promised she’d never have as a child. She loves sharing with women how following Jesus and loving His word is the only way to a happy life. You can follow her on Instagram at @everywisewomanbuilds, or visit her website at www.everywisewomanbuilds.com.