The Life-Changing Power of Love-Imbued Writing

by MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA @DrMaryAnnDiorio

Of all weapons against hardship, the most powerful is love. And love can also be our greatest weapon in the many hardships we face as writers. 

How?

We writers who are Christ-followers fully understand the unique challenges we face as we seek to create works of art that please our Lord and bless our readers. We often struggle to overcome these challenges by sheer determination, stressful schedules, or physically unhealthful habits.

Yet, there is a weapon that will help us overcome every challenge every time. That weapon is love.

Let’s explore how love can help us in the following situations:

In the face of rejection . . . 

When our writing is rejected for whatever reason, do we complain, retaliate, or sulk in self-pity? If so, we are not acting from a place of love but from a place of self. And self is the opposite of love. 

In the face of discouragement . . . 

When we face discouragement, do we give up? If so, we are not acting from a place of love but from a place of defeat. And defeat is the opposite of love.

In the face of trials . . . 

When we face trials, do we murmur and complain? If so, we are not acting from a place of love but from a place of bitterness. And bitterness is the opposite of love.

In the face of fear . . . 

When we face fear, do we run and hide? If so, we are not acting from a place of love but from a place of cowardice. And cowardice is the opposite of love.

In the face of success . . . 

When we face success, do we boast and gloat? If so, we are not acting from a place of love but from a place of pride. And pride is the opposite of love.

In this month of February, traditionally dedicated to love, let us imbue our writing with the love of God. As Holy Scripture instructs us in Colossians 3: 23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” The self can be a human master. We must guard against serving the self. 

Writing is an act of love. Not only toward God but toward our readers. As writers, we will face rejection, discouragement, trials, fear, and, yes, even success. But when we do, let us always respond in love.

When we imbue our writing with love, we are imitating Christ. We are laying down our lives for our readers through the many sacrifices we make in order to write for them. 

In 1 Corinthians 14: 1, the Word exhorts us to “make love our greatest aim.” Let us purpose to make love our greatest aim this year, not only in our writing but also in our life.

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The Life-Changing Power of Love-Imbued Writing from author @DrMaryAnnDiorio on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

MaryAnn Diorio writes women's fiction from a quaint Victorian town in southern New Jersey where the neighbors still stop to chat while walking their dogs, the houses still sport wide, wrap-around porches, and the charming downtown still finds kids licking lollipops and old married couples holding hands.

A Jersey girl at heart, MaryAnn is a big fan of Jersey diners, Jersey tomatoes, and the Jersey shore. You can learn more about her at maryanndiorio.com.