Thursdays - Devotions for Writers
“In you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.” (Psalm 25:2 NIV)
Enemies. Me? Do I have them? Do you?
Of course! We live in an imperfect world.
But who, what, or where are your enemies?
Maybe it’s the gossip in the neighborhood, school, or even church who has to exaggerate one little mistake you made in order to make herself look better than you.
Maybe it’s any tempting food full of sugar or fat when you’re trying to create a healthier lifestyle for yourself and loved ones.
But who or what are your enemies when it comes to following your calling as a writer? What stops you from finishing that article you want to submit to a favorite magazine? What hinders you from completing the necessary research for your novel? Or sending off the proposal for your latest manuscript to an editor?
Enemies may want to personally harm us, or they may wish bad things to happen to us. However, instead of acting out of plain meanness, someone could be reacting to something else. Envious of a writer’s success, someone may try to discredit an author by spreading rumors or writing hurtful reviews. Feeling resentful of the time a writer spends at a computer, a spouse might pick a fight to get attention or make a point. The spouse isn't the enemy here. There are other things that need to be addressed.
“Thee” enemy is always waiting and willing to plague us with self-doubt, health issues, financial concerns, etc. He knows EXACTLY what will get to us. Push our buttons. Put us in a tailspin. Make us feel defeated. If we give in to being consumed with these distractions, they can prevent us from accomplishing what God has called us to do.
We can also become our own worst enemy. We don't take care of ourselves and become sick. We don't take "time out" and become "burned out." When we don't accomplish the amount of writing we planned or hoped to - we blame lack of time, distraction due to the Internet, e-mail boxes that have to be cleaned out, errands that need to be run, household responsibilities, church commitments, lack of organization, etc. It’s easy to put the blame on something else, instead of taking the initiative to set up boundaries for ourselves and those around us.
What are the enemies you’re battling this week? This month? Year?
Whatever our enemy – or enemies – may be, God is there to help. Trust that He is willing to give you the strength and wisdom to triumph over them.
Dawn
