Facing the Giants in the Promised Land

 

By Andrea Merrell

“I’m never going to make it to the promised land,” one writer said. There are too many giants, and I’m just too timid and weary to face them.”

For years this writer had faced much rejection while watching her friends and peers achieve success. To her, the promised land represented publication, but she had to get past all the giants who stood in her way—editors, agents, and publishers. Those who held the power to make her dreams come true or crush
them.

Discouraged and heartbroken, this gifted writer gave up and stepped away from her passion. Her calling. Her God-given gift.

I’ve heard folks say the writing and publishing industry is a scary, intimidating, and ever-changing place. Yet it’s a place all writers pursue. For some it’s a short, easy road. For others, the road is long and full of potholes.

Over the years I’ve watched as tenacious people have dug in their heels and refused to quit. I’ve also seen others give up their dream—believing they don’t have what it takes—and  retreat back to their comfort zone.

But for the Christian writer, let’s look at it from God’s perspective. When God calls, He equips. He has a plan and a timeline. And the plan will be different for each individual. The problem comes when we think we have to do it all on our own.

The writers of The Word for You Today explain it like this:

Your efforts don’t rest solely on your shoulders but on God’s. Yes, you have a part to play. But when you have done your best, you must trust God to do the rest. Your ability is limited, but God’s ability is unlimited. You may experience failure on your way to success, but God guarantees us, “I will not fail you.” The fear of failure is often based on the erroneous belief that success rests solely on our abilities. And because we’re aware of our inadequacies, we stay in our comfort zone instead of tackling the giants in the promised land.

Are you facing giants in your writing path? If so, God is saying to you as He said to Joshua, “I will be with you … be strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:5-6 NKJV).

Don’t be afraid, and don't give up on your dreams. Commit them to the Lord and trust Him to bring them to pass in the right way, through the right hands, and at the right time.

Photo by Miriam G on Unsplash