How to keep writing when you are discouraged by the enemy

Are you a Christian writer who is struggling to maintain motivation in your writing? Same dude, I have been on the struggle bus lately. But it isn’t all my fault. There is more to life than we see. There is more going on with our writing than we may realize.

Are you ready to find out why you may have been feeling so discouraged in your writing? Me too, let’s go.

It’s more than just discouragement

Writing as a Christian is different. We aren’t just writing to write a story. We are writing to write a story that changes people’s lives. Our writing is meant to be an intentional mission field. It is our ministry. So why do we wonder why discouragement comes? Wouldn’t the enemy want to stop a work that is changing the world for the better?

Lately I have been feeling so discouraged and heavy about writing. it feels like my book is taking forever to finish editing, these posts don’t seem to be accomplishing anything, and in short, it just feels like it’s all for nothing.

Strange that that’s exactly what the enemy would want to do, right? It isn’t just a coincidence that we get discouraged. Sure, sometimes we just need a break, we need to get new inspiration. But often times, there is more than just physical stuff going on. That’s what I’ve found in my life anyway.

This past week I have come to the realization that the enemy is actively trying to stop me from writing. He is trying to shut down my ministry and silence my voice. The enemy doesn’t want my stories heard. He doesn’t want these posts read. If I am doing things to the glory of God, that is a massive threat to the devil. So, not only did I realize that I am under attack at the moment, I realized that I need to fight back.

Time to get on the offense

If you feel that your writing is failing, or that you don’t have what it takes to write this book…those thoughts and feelings aren’t from God. He does not discourage, but encourage. Realizing that our discouragement is from the enemy is the first step in fighting back.

So once we realize that it’s time to fight back, how are we going to do that?

I recently watched a video on YouTube by Ashley Hetherington. It was called “How to win the war in your mind”. She had four steps to fight the lies that enter our minds. “I can’t finish writing this book,” “Writing just isn’t for me”, or “I’m not creative enough for this” are all lies that the enemy might tell us in times of discouragement. It’s up to us to fight back against those lies and keep telling the stories that can change the world.

So, quickly, here are the four steps for winning the war over the lies.

1: Repent

Repent of that lie. The word repent means to turn away from something. Turn away from that lie and recognize any part you played in letting that lie in.

2: Rebuke

Rebuke the lie in Jesus’ name!

3: Replace

Replace the lie with truth from God’s Word (the Bible). Find a verse that speaks truth into that place the lie was. Replacing lies with truth is important, so we know what we believe. We don’t want that lie creeping back in.

4: Receive

Receive God’s truth about you and your writing. It might be a process of actually believing it deep down, but receiving the gift of life and joy, peace and power from Jesus is an important step.

How to write from here

Writing when you are discouraged can be a drag. Let me just tell you that even though I was (and still am a little bit) struggling a lot with lies about my dreams and writing this week…here I am writing. Here I am writing a blog post, and I already wrote two others. You can still write when you aren’t feeling top notch. I am choosing to believe what God says about my dreams, over what the enemy, or even sometimes myself, says about them. I am choosing to press through the doubts and write anyway.

Sit in prayer with Jesus, and if you feel him calling you to write today, follow that leading. You never know what he may do with your obedience.

Whatever motivates you to write most could help in times like these. Maybe that is music, or writing snacks, or tea, or writing sprints. Maybe you could stick little notes with the Bible verses you have chosen near where you write. When discouragement tries to get back in, remind yourself of the TRUTH. Whatever fuels you, ensure it’s in your writing routine at the moment to help you along.

Also spend time in prayer, and in the Word. This is a time to be encouraged by our Maker, and fueled by HIM. Remember what you have been called to, and walk in that with obedience, not out of feelings. He rewards his faithful children. Also, he would never lead you into something futile or pointless. He has good plans for you and your writing. Trust that He is enough, and He is sovereign over everything – even when it feels like it’s all failing. Believe me, people want to read your story, please keep writing.

If you would like to learn more about writing, feel free to browse more blog posts here , or contact me if you have any questions. You can also find me on YouTube at The Windy Wildflower, or the podcast at The Windy Wildflower Podcast. We talk about writing, songwriting, and being a Christian creative in all these places. I also have a free writing resource you can grab on this website here! Join me on the journey of learning to glorify God with our creativity and making dreams a reality.

Till next time friends,

Nika.