Wednesday, December 16, 2020

The Writer’s Shield of Faith


by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

The door creaked, and another ounce of hope leaked from my heart.

“I’ll never get this done. Too much editing. I’m so tired.”

The door creaked longer the second time.

“Should I just stop?”

Another creak started, then stopped, as I remembered something precious—the moment God gave me the idea to write this book. I felt so excited, filled with anticipation, like pure joy was seeping down to the bottom of my soul. 

“There’s no way I can stop now.”

Slam. The door jamb shook a little, and I heard the door lock.

“Above all, taking the shield of faith
with which you will be able to quench
all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
(Ephesians 6:16 NKJV)

Did you know that the root word for “shield” in this verse, is “door”? When we cling to our faith in God, it’s like a door slams shut in the face of doubt, fear, and anxiety. Holding up our shield of faith against our spiritual enemy’s fiery arrows acts like a closed door so he can’t damage what God is building. 

And God is building something amazing. First within us. As we work with Him to understand Scripture and how life with Him works, we’re changed from the inside out. Then He works with us to craft ideas, stories, and encouragement to share the truth He has given us. 

God doesn’t just build within us, but within our audience too. He uses the message He has given us to build something beautiful within those who read it, such as renewed hope, fresh grace, or strengthening love. God can use our writing to make a difference. Don’t let any spiritual enemy thwart what God is doing. 

Nehemiah understood the power of faith and the power of God. As a leader of God’s people in the Old Testament, he told the enemies of the Jews that God was the reason His people would continue to build the wall around Jerusalem. No matter how their enemies taunted them, the Jews would keep building. This is what he told their enemies. 

“So I answered them, and said to them,
‘The God of heaven Himself will prosper us;
therefore we His servants will arise and build,
but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.’”
(Nehemiah 2:20 NKJV)

Fear, you have no right here. No place to call home in my heart.

Doubt, you don’t belong here. God will lead me, and I will stay close to Him so I know what to write and how. 

Anxiety, I will trust God for how to publish this. In His way. In His timing. 

If God has called us to write, He will help us do it. We are His servants, and the enemy has no place—no privilege or right—to mess with us and win. Keep building, writer friend. Keep writing. 

The next time you’re tempted to give up on your writing or to give in to some fears or doubts, remember your faith in God and what He has called you to. Slam the door on those spiritual enemies. God has something great in mind. It’s great because He has a purpose for your writing, and He may use your writing to strengthen someone else’s faith so they say no to opposition and temptation. 

How quickly do you give your spiritual enemies no open door to hinder your writing?

What helps you to persevere and finish a project with God’s help? We would love to hear about it in the comments. Join the conversation! 

TWEETABLE

Katy Kauffman finds herself writing about life’s spiritual battles more than anything else. As an award-winning author, an editor of Refresh Bible Study Magazine, and a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies, she has the privilege of working with writers and the Lighthouse team to create Bible study compilations and magazine issues. She recently started a monthly newsletter for writers called The Lighthouse Connection, and she contributes to three blogs on writing. Connect with Katy at her blog, Winning the Victory, and on Facebook and Twitter.

20 comments:

  1. Thank you. This message has been "booming" louder over the past few days.

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    1. I'm so glad this post was one in a series of encouragement!

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  2. Beautifully said. Doubts, fear, and anxiety open the door to Satan's lies.

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    1. Yes, they do. I love it that God's truth defeats every lie. Thank you for your comment!

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  3. God did a beautiful thing through you this morning! My Bible reading plan for today took me to this exact chapter in Nehemiah. I wrote three pages of His encouragement as I studied and prayed. Then I opened my email, your words, and He applied it all directly to my writing and new work of ministering to others. Thank you, thank you for obeying Him with words He prompted you to write. What a wondrous gift!

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    1. That is so wonderful, Lauri! God had a message for both of us then - to keep writing and trust Him! I pray God blesses you as you build your part of the wall, and He gives you everything you need to do His will. Thank you for sharing this!

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  4. Such encouraging words, Katy! Just what I needed at this time. Thank you.

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    1. Thank you, Roberta! I am so glad to hear it was the perfect timing.

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  5. Thanks for the picture of the door! Much needed! Merry Christmas!

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    1. Merry Christmas, Marjorie! Thank you for your comment!

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  6. Wow! What a powerful message! Thank you, Katy!

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    1. Thank you, Crystal! God bless you, and Merry Christmas!

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  7. Thanks for this encouragement! God bless you.

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  9. Dear Katy,

    Thank you for overcoming the very obstacles that debilitate some of us writers. Your words of encouragement bolster our spirits and encourage us to keep putting pen to paper.

    God bless you!

    Tom

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    1. That's very kind, Tom. Thank you for the encouragement. Still prayerfully leaning on God as He directs the writing. May He richly bless your writing ministry!

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  10. Slam the door on those spiritual enemies. That's great and so needed! Thanks, Katy.

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  11. Thank you Katy for this encouraging post. I love that the root word of shield is door and your advice to slam the door on our fears and doubts is great advice!

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  12. Thank you for these words, Katy. When we are called to write, we are definitely engaged in a battle!

    Peace and grace,
    Tammy

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