Is your life settling into a bit more normalcy? Summer vacations are over, gardening projects have come to a halt, the kids are back in school, or your nest is empty. You finally have time to think longer with less distractions so you can stay the course and persevere on God’s path as you write, speak and lead.
If you attended the in-person Speak Up Conference or joined us virtually, you may still be working through the recorded sessions and soaking in the information-packed breakout sessions. Perhaps you joined the Speak Up Speaker Certification Course, or you might have signed up for one of the Speak Up MasterMind or Intensive Coaching groups.
You might have pitched your book idea to a literary agent, a traditional publisher, or to a hybrid or self-publishing professional—and now you’re waiting for the green light.
You long to read in that email:
- We want to send you a contract.
- We love your manuscript.
- Your book is amazing, and you are too.
In your mind you can see yourself jumping from your seat, lifting your hands in the air and shouting, “YES!”
Sigh. All of us love that dream and we cheer for each other, right? Victory! However, we know there is a strong likelihood we may hear a different response. Don’t stop, give up, and throw that manuscript away. The writing and speaking road can be challenging and perseverance is a must.
It’s been 16 years since I began learning the craft of writing and stepped into conferences to learn how to get the books out of me. At the age of nine I knew I wanted to become a teacher, but writing books was not in my plan or in my imagination. However, God lovingly opened my eyes to His way.
It was the spring of 2011 when I interviewed Carol Kent for my coaching newsletter. I recently reviewed those notes, and something Carol said has stayed with me over many years. I asked her, “What is one thing you can encourage me with as I begin the writing journey?”
Carol said, “I was a reluctant writer, Darlene.”
Carol Kent—reluctant to write? Really? But that word, reluctant, shook me up. Was the Holy Spirit using her words to tell me to “knock it off already” and to embrace His call?
I’ve had an uphill journey of perseverance, but there’s not a change I would make from all that waiting, and the lessons learned from the gifted people I’ve met along the way.
Perhaps you’ve heard back from agents or publishers:
- Not now.
- Change your angle.
- Grow your online numbers.
- Build your speaking platform.
- Change your title.
- Love your idea, but we have a similar book in our pipeline, and we don’t want our authors to compete against each another.
- Make certain your book proposal and chapters match your tone.
Can you relate to any of these responses? Remember—the denial of your request requires you to persevere in your purpose. Learn from the professionals who speak into your life, because that helps you to grow in wisdom.
James tells us how crucial endurance is. “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect results, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:-2-4 NASB).
The perfect result is the specific character quality God is refining in you. Delays grow our patience, which is a fruit of the Spirit.
Avoid allowing a denial to spin you into a state of dejection, to overpower you, to shut you down, and to move you off the writing road. Allow the “No,” and the “Not yet,” to fortify you from the inside out. Give yourself permission to take the time necessary to grieve the disappointment. Then apply the advice of the experts and get back to work.
Here are four main perseverance points:
- Recognize that transformation is an ongoing process.
Jesus wants you to continue to deepen your roots with Him. He is more concerned about your character growth than about how many speaking engagements you have or the number of books you’ve written.
- Learn a new skill, take a course, or enroll in a training while you wait.
If you’ve already done that, please post a comment on the benefits.
- Remember that while you persevere, God is getting your audience ready for your message.
As you grow in your love for the Lord and as you continue to sharpen your writing and speaking skills, you’ll develop into the person God wants you to become. That will profoundly impact your future readers and audience members.
- Praise God in advance for what you anticipate He will do.
Praise opens purposeful gates. The result will be good.
Remind yourself that God is the overarching time controller of your life. He knows the purpose of your life, your first and last breath, and how your story will meet the needs of the harried, hurting, and hungry hearts of others to impact the Kingdom. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial…” (James 1:12a NIV).
Question: In what area do you need to persevere?
Please comment below. I would love to read and pray over your post.
About Darlene Larson
Darlene Larson, recognized as a leading Christian Life Purpose Coach® and grief loss coach specializes in helping women in emotional pain discover their life purpose to live beyond betrayal, grief, and loss. Her upcoming fifth book focuses on how to grieve. Darlene is a sought-after speaker for churches and conferences and her popular 90-day DIY course is for doubt-filled Christian men and women and it helps them to discover their unique purpose—changing lives one by one. Connect with Darlene at www.DarleneLarson.com and receive her first book free in the 31-day life-changing coaching devotional series, Enable Me, Lord to Shift: Are you stuck in idle? Learn how to shift into Truth and live!
This is such an important reminder, Darlene–persevering with patience is always challenging for those of us who write and speak. I’m also a parent who is waiting on God for a miracle of mercy for my son, Today I’m going to practice praising Him in advance as I anticipate what He will do.
Hi Carol, thank you.
I have prayed for Gene and you today.
Waiting is grueling at times.
And I will anticipate His work with you, Let’s praise HIM…!
Blessings and love to you, Darlene
It was a nudge from the Holy Spirit for me to hear you were a reluctant writer. Is there somewhere that you mention this struggle? And how you overcame it? God has been pressing me for several years to finish a book he created me to write. Fear and many life trials have held me back. My mother just passed away after 6 years of care, my 7 kids are all out of the nest although one daughter is in a heartbreaking place right now. There is room to write and I’m told Im a good writer, but it’s so hard to get the words out. Appreciate any prayers or advice. And yes, I’ve read your book!
Hi Rosemary, I am just reading your post and I am uncertain if you are addressing it to Carol or to me, Darlene. Feel free to email if you care to learn how to get your book out of you, Darlene@Heartswithapurpose.com. Keep writing and believing!
This is such an important reminder, Darlene–persevering with patience is always challenging for those of us who write and speak. I’m also a parent who is waiting on God for a miracle of mercy for my son, Today I’m going to practice praising Him in advance as I anticipate what He will do.
Hi Carol, thank you.
I have prayed for Gene and you today.
Waiting is grueling at times.
And I will anticipate His work with you, Let’s praise HIM…!
Blessings and love to you, Darlene
It was a nudge from the Holy Spirit for me to hear you were a reluctant writer. Is there somewhere that you mention this struggle? And how you overcame it? God has been pressing me for several years to finish a book he created me to write. Fear and many life trials have held me back. My mother just passed away after 6 years of care, my 7 kids are all out of the nest although one daughter is in a heartbreaking place right now. There is room to write and I’m told Im a good writer, but it’s so hard to get the words out. Appreciate any prayers or advice. And yes, I’ve read your book!
Hi Rosemary, I am just reading your post and I am uncertain if you are addressing it to Carol or to me, Darlene. Feel free to email if you care to learn how to get your book out of you, Darlene@Heartswithapurpose.com. Keep writing and believing!
Thank you, I needed this today, “knock it off already.” I’ve never wanted to be or seen myself as a writer, BUT, I know God keeps putting it on my heart to write a blog. Lord, please help me. Since my husband passed, I’ve been in kind of a circling pattern, and just never really landed. Pray the clouds clear up for me, or I will trust the instruments to just land the plane for goodness sake! I feel like the gas is running out. Thank you again for the encouragement ❤️
Thank you for sharing, Janet.
I prayed clarity for you. Perhaps as you write your blog the fog will begin to lift.
So sorry for your deep loss.
Much comfort and many blessings, Darlene
Thank you, I needed this today, “knock it off already.” I’ve never wanted to be or seen myself as a writer, BUT, I know God keeps putting it on my heart to write a blog. Lord, please help me. Since my husband passed, I’ve been in kind of a circling pattern, and just never really landed. Pray the clouds clear up for me, or I will trust the instruments to just land the plane for goodness sake! I feel like the gas is running out. Thank you again for the encouragement ❤️
Thank you for sharing, Janet.
I prayed clarity for you. Perhaps as you write your blog the fog will begin to lift.
So sorry for your deep loss.
Much comfort and many blessings, Darlene
Thanks for the encouragement, Darlene. It was great to bump into you this summer at Crystal!
Hi Kim, you are welcome. And I smile thinking of that short chat. 🙂 Keep writing and I prayed for YOU!
Blessings on you! Darlene
Thanks for the encouragement, Darlene. It was great to bump into you this summer at Crystal!
Hi Kim, you are welcome. And I smile thinking of that short chat. 🙂 Keep writing and I prayed for YOU!
Blessings on you! Darlene
Thanks Darlene! I am currently in a place of waiting and I needed this encouragement.
It’s not looking as I thought it would after the SpeakUp Conference but I will continue to persevere and take heed to what you…and James said. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial…” (James 1:12a NIV).♥️
I will praise God because I know He is in control❣
Hi Karen, thanks for sharing.
I prayed wisdom for you. Keep working in the wait to what you can control as that helps. 🙂
Blessings on you, Karen.
And praise indeed lifts our hearts to His!
Darlene
Thanks Darlene! I am currently in a place of waiting and I needed this encouragement.
It’s not looking as I thought it would after the SpeakUp Conference but I will continue to persevere and take heed to what you…and James said. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial…” (James 1:12a NIV).♥️
I will praise God because I know He is in control❣
Hi Karen, thanks for sharing.
I prayed wisdom for you. Keep working in the wait to what you can control as that helps. 🙂
Blessings on you, Karen.
And praise indeed lifts our hearts to His!
Darlene
Thank you, Darlene Larson. I appreciate your encouragement, support, and compassion.
Love & Prayers,
Yvonne Ortega
You are welcome, Yvonne, and thank YOU!
Keep on persevering and stepping to His Call.
Many blessings and love, Darlene
Thank you, Darlene Larson. I appreciate your encouragement, support, and compassion.
Love & Prayers,
Yvonne Ortega
You are welcome, Yvonne, and thank YOU!
Keep on persevering and stepping to His Call.
Many blessings and love, Darlene