Spiritual Practices for Writers: The Practice of Perseverance

by Audrey Frank @AudreyCFrank

Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, we do not become discouraged (2 Corinthians 4:1, NET).

I learned the practice of perseverance on my great-grandmother’s farm. Summer cherry-picking was an elaborate cousin operation. Year after year, I begged to be part of the scheme, but as the youngest and scrawniest, I was not considered essential to either the picking or the reward.

I never gave up. When I knew my cousins were in sight, I’d scramble up the nearest cherry tree to show off my climbing skills. Sometimes I’d linger in the branches until the cousin ring-leader traipsed underneath, and conveniently drop a cherry pit at his feet. (There’s a finesse to perseverance—I was discerning enough not to drop the pit on his head, which would have foiled my attempt to become part of the cherry-picking gang.)

One day, as I pretended not to notice they were gathering the buckets, I heard my name. And just like that, I was in.

I had finally won them over. The oldest and strongest cousin served as a human ladder as I climbed over him and up the tree. I didn’t think it wise to remind him I could do it without his help. I clamored across the branches and picked every ripe berry I could find, while the most mature and responsible cousin stood below, holding the bucket up high to collect. Afterwards, we gorged ourselves with fresh, sweet fruit.

There was not enough left for pie.

It’s one thing to cherry-pick cherries—quite another to cherry-pick Scripture.

For example, if we picked the phrase “we do not become discouraged” from 2 Corinthians 4:1, you’d stop reading now, and I’d lose any credibility as an encourager of writers.

Perhaps the cynical among us might quip, 

As writers, we do become discouraged. Often.

But let’s leave cherry-picking to cherry trees and cousins on summer vacation.

In seminary, we were drilled to always consider Scripture in context. To understand the full picture of we do not become discouraged, we must first explore what came before the word therefore in 2 Corinthians 4:1.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, we do not become discouraged (2 Corinthians 4:1).

This ministry makes “therefore” and everything after it possible. Including, and especially, the practice of perseverance.

This ministry we Christian writers have is not actually our own, nor does it originate with us. It is the ministry of the Spirit, and it comes from the Lord. It is specifically a ministry of transformation.

Think on that a moment.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Writers, we can be free. Free to be transformed by the Spirit. Liberated by the knowledge that the Spirit of the Lord will do this work in and through us. Free from discouragement.

The word transformed is the Greek word metamorphoō, meaning to change form. 

The Christian writing journey should be marked by continual transformation. Transformation involves conflict and change, discomfort and disorientation. It includes joy and elation, hope and faith.

The journey might not look glorious to the one laboring with her pen day after day. Perseverance is work. It’s staying the course through conflict, rising after rejection, and trusting the work of transformation through trial.

God is the agent in our writing ministry. We are the object. As He acts in us and through us, the words that flow from us will carry that transforming power to the world.

The practice of perseverance is really a practice of perspective.

We have this ministry, and it came from the Lord. It is accomplished by His Spirit. Writing is how we give it to the world.

Persevere, dear writer. The world needs transformation.

Lord, I get discouraged when I think I’m the agent of this word-ministry. Forgive me, and help me see day after day that it is Your Spirit working in me. Amen.

TWEETABLE

Spiritual Practices for Writers: The Practice of Perseverance from @AudreyCFrank on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Don't Miss The Other Spiritual Practices for Writers!

JANUARY: THE PRACTICE OF PLANNING
FEBRUARY: THE PRACTICE OF TRUSTING
MARCH: THE PRACTICE OF HOPING
APRIL: THE PRACTICE OF WAITING
MAY: THE PRACTICE OF DISCIPLINE
JUNE: THE PRACTICE OF PERSEVERANCE

Audrey Frank is an author, speaker, and storyteller. The stories she shares are brave and true. They give voice to those whose words are silenced by shame, the hard things in life that don’t make sense, and the losses that leave us wondering if we will survive. Audrey and her family have spent over twenty years living and working among different cultures and world views, and she has found that God’s story of redemption spans every geography and culture. He is the God of Instead, giving honor instead of shame, gladness instead of mourning, hope instead of despair. Although she has three different degrees in communication and intercultural studies, Audrey’s greatest credential is that she is known and loved by the One who made her.

Audrey is the author of Covered Glory: The Face of Honor and Shame in the Muslim World (Harvest House Publishers), an outpouring of Audrey’s heart to introduce others to the God of Instead. Shame is not unique to the developing world, the plight of the women behind veils, young girls trafficked across borders; shame is lurking in hearts everywhere. Through powerful stories from women around the world, Covered Glory illuminates the power of the Gospel to remove shame, giving honor instead. Available at favorite booksellers: BARNES & NOBLE, BOOKS A MILLION, AMAZON.