Tracy PopolizioAfter work at a new job one day I climbed into the car and sighed, allowing snipets of the day to swirl around my brain. On the drive home, God quietly reminded me I wanted this. These changes were good. I asked for this. Gratitude filled my heart, replacing the not-so-good feelings and I offered up a silent prayer of thanksgiving to God.
In all of our lives, we go through times in the “wilderness,” and times in the “Promised Land,” just like the Israelites. Our time in the wilderness often seems like a dry, lonely, unproductive time, but really it is a time of preparation, fully trusting God, waiting for Him to guide us. Times of rest and success are found in the Promised Lands.
It’s no different for writers. There are times when the words flow like “milk and honey” and we can’t get ink to paper fast enough. Before we know it ten thousand words appear on our computer screen. We are happy. We feel fulfilled and accomplished. Yet even the best writers are not exempt from times in the “writing wilderness” too. Brain fog, also known as writer’s block, can happen at the most inconvenient times. Deadlines don’t change—usually. Personal goals wait to be met. There’s no time for wilderness writing—in our minds. But we all know our plans don’t always align with God’s.
Right now I am in a writing wilderness. The limited time I have to work on my latest WIP often ends in frustration as I stare at the computer screen. That is, when I’m blessed with that free time to work. I have realized something else, however, during this time. God is still with me. He continues to lead me and guide me through. Not only that, He’s actually told me this is a time of “preparation.”
God is preparing me for what’s next to come. Instead of feeling discouraged by it, I’ve come to the place of acceptance. He works all things for our good, so if He has me here right now, I choose to accept it and offer thanksgiving. Are you wandering through a writing wilderness too? If you grudgingly replied yes, I encourage you to pray. Ask God to show you if there might be something He wants you to do or learn. You just might be surprised by what He shows you. As you follow His leading, you will come out of the wilderness and enter the Promised Land flowing with milk, honey, and words!
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Misha
Kristen Gwen
Julia N. White
I am a young writer, with no career and therefore not much motivation to write. I want to write more and seek critique from those more experienced than me.
Great post, Tracy. So true. I go in and out of the wilderness on a regular basis. The wilderness is not fun but it certainly teaches me a lot and probably makes my writing stronger and deeper.