Writing Battles That Aren’t Ours to Fight

From Edie: Discover the difference between writing goals and dreams, and learn why surrendering some battles to God brings greater peace and purpose.

Writing Battles That Aren’t Ours to Fight

By Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Choosing to become a writer means choosing a life filled with battles. Some are obvious:

• The battle for discipline.
• The battle for time.
• The battle for excellence.
• The battle against distraction.
• The battle against fear.
• The battle to keep writing when no one seems to notice.

And honestly, that list barely scratches the surface. I’m already tired just reading it.

But what if we’re fighting battles that were never ours to fight in the first place?

What if we’re pouring time, emotional energy, and countless prayers into things God never intended us to control?

Those misplaced battles don’t just waste our energy. They leave us discouraged because we’re measuring our faithfulness by outcomes we were never promised.

Goals and Dreams Aren’t the Same

One reason writers become exhausted is that we confuse goals with dreams. They sound similar, but they’re very different.

A Goal

A goal is something I can pursue through obedience, discipline, planning, and hard work. For example:

• Finish my manuscript.
• Improve my craft.
• Write consistently.
• Build a healthy newsletter.
• Learn better marketing skills.

None of these happen accidentally. They require effort, but they’re within my sphere of responsibility.

A Dream

A dream is something I deeply desire, but it ultimately depends on God working in ways I cannot manufacture. Examples include:

• Signing with a particular publisher.
• Landing a certain literary agent.
• Becoming a bestseller.
• Winning an award.
• Seeing my book change thousands of lives.

Can I position myself wisely? Absolutely.

Can I guarantee any of those outcomes? Not for a second.

Goals are where I practice faithful stewardship. Dreams are where I practice trust. 

That’s a huge difference.

Writing Battles We Need to Release

Some battles simply don’t belong to us.

The Timing

We all have ideas about when our books should be published, when opportunities should appear, and when our careers should “take off.” However, I’ve learned through experience that God often has different plans. What I’ve had to remind myself about is the fact that His timing isn’t punishment—it’s preparation.

Where Our Words Go

We can write faithfully.

We can submit.

We can publish.

But once those words leave our hands, God decides where they travel and whose hearts they reach.

The Size of Our Platform

This one is especially tempting in today’s publishing world.

Followers.

Subscribers.

Book sales.

Engagement.

Algorithms.

It’s tempting to believe bigger always means better. Scripture never says that. God repeatedly accomplishes extraordinary things through people with remarkably small audiences. Faithfulness has never been measured by numbers.

Writing Battles Worth Fighting

Some battles absolutely belong to us.

Fight for Excellence

Give God your very best.

Study.

Revise.

Learn.

Accept wise critique.

Never stop growing as a writer.

Fight for Diligence

Keep showing up.

Write when you feel inspired.

Write when you don’t.

Faithfulness is built one ordinary writing session at a time.

Fight for Integrity

Don’t chase shortcuts.

Don’t imitate someone else’s voice.

Don’t sacrifice your convictions to gain attention.

Guard your character as carefully as you guard your craft.

Fight for Trust

This may be the hardest battle of all. Every time we surrender our dreams to God, we’re declaring that His plans are better than our own. We’re saying, “Lord, these words belong to You. Use them however You choose.”

That’s not giving up. That’s faithful stewardship.

The Battle That Matters Most

The greatest writing battle isn’t against rejection, discouragement, obscurity, or even fear. Our battle is the daily battle to remember what belongs to us—and what belongs to God. Our responsibility is obedience. His responsibility is outcome.

When we keep those two things in their proper place, we stop wasting energy fighting battles we were never meant to win. Instead, we become free to faithfully fight the ones God actually placed in our hands.

Now it's your turn. What battles have you faced? How do you keep from fighting battles that belong to God? Share your thoughts below.

Don't forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie

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Edie Melson believes God often teaches His deepest truths through the creative life. An award-winning author, speaker, photographer, and self-proclaimed organized creative, she has spent more than 25 years encouraging writers to pursue God's calling with courage, purpose, and joy. She is the author of more than two dozen books, including the award-winning Soul Care series, and serves as executive director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Edie and her husband, Kirk, live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where you'll often find her hanging off a ledge for the perfect photograph while Kirk patiently carries the tripod.