Quit Quitting!

This is a terrible way to introduce an article, Bryan! You’re supposed to grip the reader with a compelling opener, but since you’re the boss of this contest here goes: I am participating in the Writing Contest: You Are Enough, hosted by Positive Writer. 

I really like you Bryan, because you’re real, an overcomer, and your is heart to encourage and equip others.

Oh, and Bryan’s a great writer too, people! Check out the other contest submissions and subscribe to Positive Writer here.

Did you miss the memo that anything worth doing is hard? Writing is hard work. For me it is mentally, physically, and spiritually exhausting. And exhilarating too—but that usually comes after the exhausting. It is time intensive and demanding. But it’s worth it. Your calling costs something too. 

Life happens. Sometimes all you can handle is small steps and bite sized pieces, but they will get you where you’re going. Instead of overdrive on the Autobahn you might need to take the slow country road for awhile. Somewhere between doing nothing and doing everything, there is balance.

Labor of Love  

Writing is like being pregnant

It is often uncomfortable

Sometimes you have false labor

You get sent back home

Until you are ready

Until it is time

There is more making to be done

Writing is like giving birth

Giving birth is painful

It is hard work

It is bloody

But then a child is brought forth

The future has come

And life meets life

Something eternal is born

And the world is never the same   

Performance is a tough taskmaster. Accomplishment motivates me. When hindered by health, or drama, or procrastination, or distraction, or…I become discouraged. When I’m discouraged I lose motivation, which lowers my productivity, which leads to depression and apathy—which makes it hard to produce… A vicious cycle. That’s a good time to say, “Help me, Jesus!” Actually, anytime is a good time to say, “Help me, Jesus!” because without Him we can do nothing.

Pace yourself; this is a marathon. This is a spiritual battle, so when you miss the mark, or the mark you set for yourself, the enemy, Satan, is faithful to try to sap your strength and sideline you. “Sss-surely this isn’t the path you were meant to take or it wouldn’t be this resissss-tant,” his whisper like a heavy wet blanket—hard to breathe, see, and get from under. Don’t let doubt cloud the vision God gave you.  

I understand. But get up any way! Carry on soldier; wield His sWord! Don’t rob the world of you. Your voice matters. Sometimes it’s the process of the struggle that builds the strength to accomplish the task. The only real failure is quitting when you are called to carry on.

Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38 (NKJV)

Forget about yesterday! Jesus isn’t surprised by where you are; that’s right where He meets us—not in the past, or where we think we should-have-been-by-now. Success is obedience to God—the results are up to Him. Little is much when we yield ourselves to Him. So at any minute we can begin or resume success by following Him. 

Did you hear me? I said, the definition of success is obedience to God. Our part  is faithfulness to what we’re called to. What did God call you to do? —Do that! If you knew no one would read it would you still write it? Did God change His mind? Did He tell you to stop? 

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. ROMANS 11:29 (NASB)

God calls us to scatter seed. It’s He who gives the increase. What makes you think you have the right to bury your talent or hide your light? How does that glorify Him? When one falters we all suffer. When one rises it inspires others to go a little farther, reach a little higher.

So you fell down. Get up, get up! Stand up and write! It’s hallelujah anyhow and reach for Him, follow Him. Quit quitting, get a grip and get ahold of God! If He has called you to it—then you better get to it! 

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. II Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)

Chaos calls. The mess and stress of life press. But circumstance doesn’t circumvent God’s call for our lives.  So, write about the chaos of feeling low and empty. Write about wanting to be filled. Pour out your heart, your frustration—cry out to God on paper to be filled.

Write out of your passion. Write out of your pain.

Write out of your trials. Write out of your triumphs.

Write out of your hurt. Write out of your healing.

Write what matters. Write what ministers.

There are two choices when you’re battle weary or knocked down: Give up, or get up! So what’s it going to be? Give up—is certain failure. Get up and fight! Fight to write! You just might change a life.

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Hebrews 10:35-37 (NKJV)

Unspoken – Higher (Lyric Video)

Writers Chat: How God Led Us into Writing

Writers Chat: What’s New in Blogging?

CLICK HERE to sign up for the TATTOO IT ON YOUR HEART NEWSLETTER to receive my blog posts, occasional notifications of offers, and free downloads.

Photo of road in golden hour by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash

Updated 12/15/2019

© 2019  Rachael M Colby                          Tattoo It On Your Heart