Happy Wednesday, friends. You might be wondering what on earth I mean by a publishing gauntlet. The word has different meanings, but the definition I’m referring to is:
Gauntlet: weapons that strike at an individual who is made to run between them. A race that poses an ordeal or is filled with obstacles.
As Christians, we are called to run a race. One with great opposition that we must overcome and continue to preserve along the narrow path Jesus has called us to until we’re home with our Savior.
Jesus flat-out tells us that the road He calls us on is difficult and in Hebrews, we are to throw off everything that hinders.
As Christian writers, I believe we too are called to the narrow path. We are writing stories that glorify God, that hopefully bring others to Him, or strengthen fellow Christians on their journey. Satan doesn’t want this to happen and so there is strong opposition.
So many authors I’ve talked to have dealt with terrible ordeals or at the very least obstacles in their journey. Everything ranges from the heartbreaking news of a serious illness or the loss of a loved one. Personally, I lost my mom and grandma within two months of each other. Shattered (the second book in my Alaskan Courage series) was due on the day of my mom’s funeral and my grandma went home to be with Jesus the day Submerged released. God called them home but Satan whispers in the sorrow. “You can’t trust God. Look at what happened.” Satan knows the truth, but he has been a liar since the beginning, and he wants you to believe his lies.
These lies can lead to doubting God’s timing on publication, on sales numbers, and make us wonder if we’re even supposed to be writing. He tries to get us to give up, but God is faithful. He is stronger than Satan’s lies. He is honest and never lies and He tells us:
“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!” -Psalm 40:4
God is for us and if you love to write, God created you that way. So write. Push past the obstacles with perseverance and run that race for God and His glory.
There’s a quote in my office that I love:
So don’t give up. Keep running your race.
Question for you?
What has helped you preserve in life or in writing?
Blessings,
Dani
Latest posts by Dani Pettrey (see all)
- Top Ten Gifts - November 13, 2024
- Outpouring of Love - October 23, 2024
- For the Love of Travel - September 25, 2024
This is so encouraging, Dani, and so sobering to remember who does NOT want us to succeed. I’m so sorry you endured the losses of your precious mom and grandma so close together, but also so thankful that you’ve persevered and continued to run the race!
Thanks so much, Deb ❤️
So very, very true, Dani. Thanks for this post. “Life is hard. God is good.” I say that a lot. When God called me to write for Him, He made me a promise. That promise hasn’t played out the way I imagined. And the enemy would love to make me think that means God didn’t keep His promise. So when those whispers come, I just have to lean into trusting God. I want to listen to my Father in heaven rather than to the father of lies.
Hi Robin,
That’s a great saying and so very true.
I’m glad you’re leaning into trusting God. That’s not an easy struggle by any means. Thanks so much for sharing! You’re always a source of inspiration to me.
You are an inspiration. I would have crumbled under much less stress and sorrow than you have recently undergone. My prayers are with you. Thank you for sharing your office sign inspiring us to keep struggling and to never give us. God bless.
Thanks so much! It was a while ago, but still feels like it hasn’t been that long. Time and grief are funny that way. So glad you found the sign inspiring. God bless you.
What a dose of light and a beautiful way to start my day today. Thank you, Dani. During my darkest time as an author, when I was under intense personal attack and my soul was in danger of being crushed by all the hurtful negativity, God showed up in such an amazing way. He surrounded me with support, love, encouragement, and kindness from the Christian writer and reader communities. It is in the darkest moments that His love shines the brightest. Now, when I look back on that time, all I see is God’s amazing grace. It blocks my view of the ugliness and serves as a pillar that I can return to again and again for encouragement and confirmation of His goodness.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. I’m so glad God showed up in such an amazing way but so sorry you had to go through that intensive attack. That is so true. His light shines brightest in darkness. Thanks so much for sharing. Hugs.
Thank you for sharing some of how the Lord encouraged you in hard times with us so that we can be encouraged, too, in our hard times.
To answer your question, God has used many things to help preserve me in life- mainly His Word, my sweet family & dearest friends, and my church.
Those are all wonderful things God has filled your life with to help preserver. Thanks so much for stopping by and for sharing.
I’m sorry for the loss of your mom and grandma, especially so close together. In 2010, my husband lost his dad and then his sister six months later. My grandma passed the following year.
I’ve only been writing for about five years but I’ve already experienced doubts and the temptation to quit, believing Satan’s lies that I’ll never be published and I’m wasting my time. God is my strength in those times, along with reminding myself that He gave me gifts and wants me to use them for His glory. That keeps me going.
When I signed with an agent two weeks ago, the first person I wanted to call and celebrate with was my mom, but she died two years ago. Joy mingled with sorrow … the ebb and flow of life.
Oh. I’m so sorry for all the deep losses, especially so close together.
Writing is such a great gift but at many times a great struggle. I’m so glad God has kept you going.
Super CONGRATS on signing with an agent. I’m so sorry you weren’t able to share with your mom, but I bet she’s rejoicing in Heaven for you.
Thanks so much for sharing. Appreciate you.
Thanks for the encouragement today, Dani! I’ve definitely faced many obstacles along this writing race.
I know you have, sweet friend. So glad to have you as a prayer partner so we can run this race together.