From Edie: Struggling with a creative slump? Discover how writers can find motivation, overcome discouragement, and move forward with renewed focus and faith when writing feels stuck.
How Writers Overcome Creative Slumps: Find Writing Motivation When You Feel Stuck
by Ginny Cruz
Do you ever get stuck in the doldrums? If you have a competitive spirit, as I do, you may have experienced periods of feeling sluggish and unmotivated when goals have not been achieved or when you are waiting.
As Christians, we know we should neither wallow in self-pity nor allow ourselves to feel sad when things do not go our way. Scripture is clear: we are to accept all things—even the gray days—as part of God’s plan for our lives. But if I’m honest, when the creative winds die and forward momentum stalls, I often become dispirited.
What are Doldrums, Exactly?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, one of the definitions of doldrums is part of the ocean near the equator abounding in calms, squalls, and light shifting winds.” In other words, an area that sailing vessels want to avoid. Otherwise, their journey could be stalled and arduous. We’ve all seen movies where ships drifted for days, even weeks, waiting for the winds to pick up so they could finish their voyage.
We writers are the captains of our own wind-propelled ships, each dependent upon God’s wind for propulsion. And as sailors upon His sea, we may find ourselves adrift in the doldrums. Such times may come when we have completed a period of strenuous sailing, and God has steered us into dead air for rest. Or we have become distracted and inattentive to the wind’s direction and are now stalled in calm waters. As writers, when these times occur, we need to make adjustments and seek the wind again.
Hoist the Sails
When sailing, you make no progress if you don’t hoist the sails. Run yours up the mast by reading God’s word, especially those verses that inspire and encourage your spirit. When we refocus our eyes on the Master of the Winds, we are doing all we can to be ready for when the breeze returns. While every sailor worth his salt knows the winds come and go at His direction, we are to prepare and remain ready for their return.
One of my hoist-the-sails verses is Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV, which says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
When we trust the Lord in everything, even the doldrums, we can enjoy a peaceful spirit knowing God will send the wind once again.
Repair the Ship
When the winds are calm, we should take time to repair our ships and sails. Stitch closed any tears in the canvas, patch the hull, and firm up the rudder. Allowing Jesus to heal our fears and frustrations creates a stronger vessel for the journey. When we do our work to be ready for the voyage, we will sail confidently when God sends the wind again.
If all is repaired and the air remains still, use the time to rest in the warmth of the sun and enjoy the salt air. The winds will return. They always do.
Master the Lesson of Humility
If you’ve ever sailed, you understand quickly that you are powerless without the wind. It takes only a moment for a newbie to realize the skill required to capture the wind and steer in the desired direction without capsizing.
Writing can be like sailing. God has launched you out onto a huge body of water filled with boats captained by writers with various levels of ability. Some are masters, and others need a Student Driver sign tacked to the stern. Some ships are stalled while others are racing across the finish line.
Only the Lord controls the winds, but we writers must each do our best to captain our ship to the best of our abilities. And we must continue to gain skills until we cross our finish line.
Where are You?
Have you hit dead air? Are you adrift, watching others race past you with the wind in their hair and smiles on their faces?
How we handle the doldrums is a test of our skills as writers. During those times, we must not become idle. We should pray and read God’s word. We must hoist our sails each day and remain ready and alert. The breeze will return, and before long, if we are prepared and ready, our sails will billow in the wind, once again.
What is your go-to verse for ditching the doldrums?
TWEETABLE
No comments:
Post a Comment