“What appears to be rejection is most times God’s protection. Move forward trusting that God has a better plan for you.” ~From Your Beautiful Purpose by Susie Larson, author 

No one likes waiting.

And yet, waiting is inevitable for writers.

No one likes rejection.

And yet, if you’re a writer, you’re going to be rejected. Let’s face it, if you’re breathing, you’re going to be rejected.

There are times when this journey along the writing road seems to be nothing more than s-t-r-i-v-i-n-g. I’ll spend an entire day — or a succession of days — trying this and that and the other thing, hoping to ensure success. Trying to figure out how to get around the “Do Not Enter” sign blocking my way.

• Have you ever stared at your computer screen, pondering how to phrase an email just the right way so that an agent would finally respond about a manuscript you sent weeks ago?
• Have you ever celebrated a friend’s success — yeah! you got a contract! yeah! you finaled in a contest! — and then flopped across your bed and wrestled with the “why not me’s”?
• Have you ever written and rewritten your novel, submitted to an editor, endured the waiting oh so patiently … and received a “no, thank you”? No matter what the reason — if you got a reason — you’re rejected. You’re hanging onto your writing dream, standing outside a door marked DO NOT ENTER.

This is when we have to remember that God is in this. When all the dreaming and all the hard work isn’t getting us anywhere — this is when we have to remember that God knows exactly where we are. He sees us when we’re standing in front of that closed door. He can hear us banging on it. When we get a no instead of the yes we were hoping and praying for, we have to trust that God has a better plan for us — even if that plan includes not being published now. Or a year from now.

True story: A few months back I got hit with some discouraging news. I walked to my bedroom, turned on some favorite worship music, and got on my face before God. And I wept. And then I told him this:

God, you’ve allowed me to live my dream. And I thank you for that.

And if you want me to fail at my dream, then that’s okay too.

Later, I got up from my slightly soggy carpet and left my room with peace and confidence, knowing I can trust God with where I am now as a writer. I can trust him with where I go, whether I run into wide open doors or some Do Not Enter signs. It’s a daily, sometimes hourly, choice. I can strive and try to make things happen — thinking it’s all on me and my efforts — or I can trust that God is protecting me when he says yes and when he says no.

What helps you persevere along the writing road?

Do Not Enter: When God asks you to trust him Click to Tweet

Persevering Along the Writing Road Click to Tweet