Endure
by Donna Mumma
(Hebrews 12:2, NKJV).
As writers, we endure many things. Publishing houses change their scope on what they are looking for. Pressure to build a better platform. A flooded market where it is difficult to be seen, heard, found, considered, picked up for a contract, make a profit, or even survive.
We are bombarded with opinions, critiques, and reviews that douse our creative fires. Responsibilities, commitments, and requests from our jobs, family, ministries, and life crowd into our writing time.
And worst of all, we battle against our insecurities. Feelings of inadequacy fill our minds when we need the words to flow. A negative review of our work boils up doubt and discouragement within us. We may slide into a funk, our sea of words dries up, and we’re left staring down at a blank page, fighting against writer’s block.
In despair, we raise our hands to God and declare, “It’s too much. I can’t do it any longer. I’m sorry, God, but I quit.”
When you get to that point—if you’ve not already in your writing journey, beware it’s coming—remember this verse in Hebrews:
“We can look to Jesus, the author, and finisher of our faith. He endured far more than we could ever imagine” (Hebrews 12:2). The verse reveals how we can persevere as demonstrated by Jesus, who did it for the joy set before him.
Writing is hard. We are in a business filled with factors that easily suck the joy out of what we are trying to accomplish. But I challenge you to keep going and trust God to get you through the hard. Keep writing even though you might feel like a failure. Feelings aren’t always reliable, but our God is.
We’ve had joy set before us as well. Endure as Jesus did and be a finisher. Somebody out there needs to hear what you have to say and write.
God, give us strength to endure all the trials that come with this call you’ve given us. Please help us to see the joy beyond the hard, the power of the words you’ve given us, and the necessity to be a finisher of our faith. Amen.
Donna Mumma writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction seasoned with a sense of adventure and suspense. An avid believer in education, she holds a M.Ed. in Elementary Education. She serves as a chapter mentor for Word Weavers International. A native Floridian, Donna lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with her husband. She is the mom of two college boys and an energetic collie named Duke. Connect with her at www.donnamumma.me, Instagram @mumma704, Twitter@DonnaMumma1 and Facebook.