The Write Conversation: 5 Reasons Christian Writers Can Have Hope

On the eve of one of the largest conferences in the southeast (Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference), I thought it would be appropriate to share five reasons my writer friends can have hope. Whether you’re published, unpublished, want-to-be-published, or given-up-on-being-published, I invite you to allow these truths to fill your heart and mind.

The Hope Christian Writers Have

1.God is sovereign.

God is sovereign over all the events of our lives, including our writing life. We can rest in this.

“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11).

2. God’s plans can’t be thwarted.

Everything God intends to do with your writing will happen. Nothing can keep God’s plans from being accomplished.

“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2).

3. God’s Word never returns void. It always accomplishes God’s purposes.

Whether we’re quoting Bible verses in a non-fiction blog post, article, or book or weaving biblical principles and worldviews into our fiction, God’s Word will accomplish the purposes for which God ordained it.

“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

4. God’s plan for your writing may look different from your plan, but because God is good, His plans are, too.

As podcaster Thomas Umstattd, Jr., often says, “Sometimes the builder builds the house. Other times the house builds the builder.” We can trust that He’ll use our writing (and the process of writing) to fulfill His good and perfect will.

“As for God, his way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30).

5. God’s timing is always perfect.

God put all the pieces into place to send His Son into the world. We can trust Him to put all the pieces in place before He sends our writing into the world.

“Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ” (Ephesians 1:9).

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4:4-5).

Hope Begins with Surrender

If God called us to write, He also called us to trust Him with our writing. We must hold our desires and abilities up to Him as an offering to do with them what He wills. For some, this will mean a book contract and writing “success” by measurable standards. For others, it will mean a lifetime of humble obedience, even when we don’t see measurable results.

I invite you to join me in this prayer of surrender to our wise, loving, trustworthy God.

Prayer of Surrender

Lord, with open hands. I offer up to you the gifts, talents, passion, and desires you have given me. Use them as you will, for others’ good and your glory. Help me trust you in all things. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray, amen.

If you’d like to know more about why Christian writers can have hope, visit Your Best Writing Life and hear my discussion with host, Linda Goldfarb on Reasons Christian Writers Can Have Hope.

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5 Reasons Christian Writers Can Have Hope from author @LoriHatcher2 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Lori Hatcher is an author, blogger, writing instructor, women’s ministry speaker, and career dental hygienist. She writes for Our Daily Bread, Guideposts, Revive Our Hearts, and Crosswalk.com. Check out her latest devotional, Refresh Your Hope, 60 Devotions for Trusting God with All Your Heart from Our Daily Bread Publishing. Connect with her at www.LoriHatcher.com or on Facebook, Twitter (@lorihatcher2) or Pinterest (Hungry for God)

Featured Image: Photo by Ronak Valobobhai on Unsplash