Why We Write in the Middle of Difficult Circumstances
by Crystal Storms
“When we sing to God in the midst of our pain, we declare, against all our feelings, that God reigns over this darkness, that God is at work in this darkness, and that God is still worthy of worship in this darkness” (Tweet by Desiring God).
Those words remind me of why we write in the middle of our difficult circumstances. Through writing in the midst of our pain, we declare that God reigns, that God is at work, and that God is worthy in the midst of our trials.
Jeremiah 29:11 was part of a letter written to the exiles. The Israelites were living on foreign soil, held captive by those who had uprooted them from their Promised Land. Yet God’s message to them in the middle of their severe circumstances was to build homes, settle down, plant gardens, marry, and produce.
Within the depths of our difficult circumstances, God also calls us to produce. He wants us to write the words that he speaks to our hearts and to process the challenges we face. He desires that we bring him a sacrifice of praise.
Many wait to share their stories until they can reveal God’s hand through it all. Sharing how in the end God worked for their good and his glory.
But God is in the middle of our trials. Even when we can’t see him or feel him, his presence is with us. And it is because of his grace that we can write through the darkness.
I don’t share all my tear-stained pages. But there is a reflection of them in the words I do share.
The hard stories we write connect us to our readers. They validate what are but whispers in their hearts. Our words echo their longings and pain. The purpose of our work within our tribulations is to bring hope to both them and us.
Writing our hard stories helps us give voice to the reader who needs words to share her story. And it connects our hearts to the truth that God is with us in the midst of the darkness that surrounds us.
Lord, thank you for your faithful presence. Even when I can’t feel you, I know you are with me and enable me by your grace to share words that bring hope and point others to you. Amen.
With a heart to encourage, Crystal Storms writes with the purpose of drawing women’s hearts to God. She is a Jesus girl, award-winning author, and artist. Married to her best friend for twenty-three years, Tim and Crystal live in Florida with their sweet Yorkie, Minnie. Learn more at CrystalStorms.me.