by Sandy Kirby Quandt @SandyKQuandt

What do we do when our writing runs aground? 

We truly believe God has called us to travel this writing journey alongside him, but then he steps back, and allows difficulties to test what seems to contradict everything we felt God promised. We feel like a ship which set out with sails full of promise, only to run aground on a sandbar on some remote island somewhere far from where we were headed. 

Do you ever wonder if perhaps God allows us to run aground to see how we will respond? To see how much we believe we’re doing what he wants us to do, despite the adversity? I, for one, would much prefer smooth sailing in my writing journey. However, that has not been the case in my life. 

When I think of preserving in the adversity of writing, I think of the apostle Paul’s shipwreck on his way to Rome where he would die. I think of his confidence and trust in the One who called him to his mission, and I am embarrassed at my lack of persevering to the end.

There are several lessons from this story recorded in Acts 27 and 28 I’d like to share with you, which I believe we writers can learn from.

When we go through the struggles and storms, ups and downs, of writing, our faith tells us one way or the other, we’ll get to the other side if we don’t give up. Nevertheless, like Paul, before we get on the other side, we’ll probably run aground on some island of rejection and discouragement. (Acts 27:25-26) 

God knows where we’re going to run aground. He knows when and how it will happen. He is aware of the outcome, and how beat up, bruised, and broken we’ll be when we reach it. However, when we give thanks to God in the midst of our writing storms of rejection and discouragement, we’ll be strengthened to keep on keeping on until the storm ends. (Acts 27:33-36)

After that, daylight comes.

We’ve done our due diligence. Honed our craft. Written to the best of our ability. The editor requests a full manuscript. There is promise in their encouraging comments. Still, before we reach the calm bay in the distance, we hit a sandbar which destroys our ship. Another rejection. (Acts 27:39-41)

Jumping into the waves and grabbing onto the ship’s broken planks that float by, we refuse to give up. We finally reach the shore to start all over again. (Acts 27:44)

Only to be bitten by a viper while gathering firewood. (Acts 28:3)

Seriously?

Onlookers gather around and speculate about what we must have done to displease God so much to deserve all we’ve endured. They wait for us to die from the viper’s venom.

Why can’t we get published? Why doesn’t anyone want to take us on as a client? What exactly is wrong with us and our writing? Perhaps we should simply give up on our foolish folly and take up something that doesn’t involve constantly being judge and found wanting.

But.

We don’t.

Instead, we refuse to listen to the naysayers. We shake off the voice of the deceiver. The viper is thrown into the fire and dies. (Acts 28:4-6)

The best part of all?

God sends encouragers alongside to strengthen us for the next go ’round. Until such a time as God allows the adversities to show up again, and we face life’s storms once more. (Acts 28:15)

Whether we are in a season where we need to be encouraged, or a season where we are called on to be an encourager, whenever we hit a sandbar and run aground, our Mighty Father is right there with us helping us make it safely to shore. 

Whatever shore God has prepared for us, it is exactly where we are meant to be.

How many writing shipwreck tales of running aground could you tell?

Sandy Kirby Quandt is a former elementary school educator and full-time writer with a passion for God, history, and travel; passions that often weave their way into her stories and articles. She has written numerous articles, devotions, and stories for adult and children publications. Her devotions appear in two Worthy Publishing compilation books; So God Made a Dog, and Let the Earth Rejoice. She has won several awards for writing including the 85th and 86th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition in the Young Adult category, First Place in the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Children’s Literature 2016 Foundation Awards, First Place in the 2017 Foundation Awards in the Young Adult, Middle Grade, and Flash Fiction categories. Looking for words of encouragement or gluten-free recipes? Then check out Sandy’s blog, Woven and Spun. When The Way Is Steep