Seasons of Silence

 

By Diana Leagh Matthews

 

Writing has been a challenge this year. Encouraging words to flow has been like moving tar through a faucet. I’ve missed the flow of a couple of years ago, when writing just 15-30 minutes a day could yield three completed novels.

You may think, Oh, you’ve just got writer's block. But it’s been so much more than that.

This has been a season of shifting and seasoning. Of molding and making. Of refining and transforming.

I’m not sure what the Lord’s up to yet, but I’m excited to see where we may go.

So, what do we do when the words refuse to flow?

1.      Pray: First and foremost, we pray. We ask the Lord why this block exists. Is He trying to teach us something? Is He moving us in a new direction?

2.      Evaluate: There are so many things to evaluate here.

a.       Burnout: I’ve lived with some form of burnout for over five years, learning to allow more margin for rest and restoration. Are there things that we need to let go of for this season?

b.      Blocks or Stress: My day job brought considerable stress this past season. Through prayer and soul-searching, I’ve discovered that the stress is stifling my creativity. I’m working toward a less stressful position to restore balance.

c.       Physical Health Issues: Our body sometimes demands rest and relaxation. There are seasons when we simply cannot push forward without taking care of ourselves first.

d.      Emotional Setbacks: Family, friends, or other life issues have taken precedence. That’s okay. Ecclesiastes 3 tells us, “there is a season for everything.” Sometimes seasons require our attention elsewhere, particularly during grief or caregiving.

3.      Healing: Are there areas where we need healing before we can write about those issues? The past two years have been a time of great healing from decades of pain and abuse where I’ve had to get out of my own way and allow the Lord work in me.

4.      Spiritual Shifting: Perhaps the Lord is teaching you lessons or growing your faith so you can be a stronger writer. Is there something that needs to be surrendered? He knows who needs to hear the message you’re meant to share.

5.      Clutter: Whether it’s physical stuff or emotional, clutter can stifle creativity.  We need space—both in our surroundings and in our minds—for creativity to rest, grow, and sprout.

6.      Fear: Often fear creeps in. Doubts about our ability, worries that no one will read our work, perfectionism, fear of rejection, comparison traps, or negative self-talk can all block the creative flow.

7.      Prayer: Continue to pray and seek the Lord. Perhaps this isn’t the season to write, or maybe adjustments need to be made to create time and space for your craft.

While it is frustrating not to be writing right now, perhaps God is at work, preparing us for whatever is next.

Remember Ecclesiastes 3:1: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven” (ESV).

What is God teaching or shaping in you right now?

 

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Diana Leagh Matthews has a heart for the hurting and longs to redeem the pain through the written and spoken word. Her debut novel, Carol of the Rooms, was a Realm Award finalist, and her second novel, Forever Changed, released earlier this year. Leagh (pronounced L-e-e), loves the view of the mountains from her home in upstate South Carolina. Her favorite pastime is spending time with her spunky Maltese, who is often by her side as she writes and sings. For more information, visit her at DianaLeaghMatthews.com.