What does the Bible say about writing?
Writing is not only a job, its therapeutic. As emotions rise and become tangled, jumbled thoughts, it can be relieving to find the words to untangle them and put them on paper. But one thing that all writers experience is writer’s block.
Christian quotes about writing
“The world does not need more Christian literature. What it needs is more Christians writing good literature.” C. S. Lewis
“I’m a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.”
“Sometimes, only paper will listen to you.”
“If you have writer’s block, dig into it. You are resisting something. Something is getting in the way of your creative work. Resistance always means something.”
“Seeking to perpetuate one’s name on earth is like writing on the sand by the seashore; to be perpetual it must be written on eternal shores.” D.L. Moody
“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.”
“Write what should not be forgotten.”
“First, I do not sit down at my desk to put into verse something that is already clear in my mind. If it were clear in my mind, I should have no incentive or need to write about it. We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.” C. S. Lewis
“If you’re running a 26-mile marathon, remember that every mile is run one step at a time. If you are writing a book, do it one page at a time. If you’re trying to master a new language, try it one word at a time. There are 365 days in the average year. Divide any project by 365 and you’ll find that no job is all that intimidating.” Chuck Swindoll
When fear and discouragement hit you as a writer
Writer’s block often happens when we become overwhelmed with fear and discouragement. We don’t really know what to say, or how to say it. Other times it happens when we get a bad review, or we doubt our ability to write creatively.
When fear and discouragement hit, it’s important to remember that our emotions do not define us. Our feelings are a wonderful thermometer for helping us gauge what we are dealing with in our heart. But our feelings are not the thermostat of the body, by which we set the temperature to function. The Bible says that our thoughts need to be taken captive. We can acknowledge our fear and discouragement, but we must purposefully turn our thoughts to the promises and goodness of the Lord. Just like David did throughout the Psalms. (See Psalm 42-43 for details.)
1)“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:5
2) “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11
3) “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the god of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
4) “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him, though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24
5) “I prayed to the Lord and He freed me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
How to overcome writer’s block?
The best way of overcoming writer’s block that I found is to set up a routine. If you write at the same time every day, or every week, then you can set your brain up to be more trained for thinking creatively. I also surround myself with objects that make me feel at peace. The more peaceful I feel the less likely I am to be distracted by overwhelming stressors that bring about writer’s block.
6) “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3
7) “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” Psalm 94:19
8) “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their trouble.” Psalms 34:17
When you feel overwhelmed as a writer
Most creatives are easily overwhelmed. Writer’s and artists quickly and easily find themselves completely overcome by stressors. We especially must remember to keep our eyes on Christ. He alone is our peace. Jesus has to be at the center of every thought and every action. When we don’t, we are making idols of other things. And when our idols don’t deliver – we get overwhelmed.
9) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
10) “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out it’s roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8
11) “Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.” Psalm 119:143
12) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
13) “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7
Standing firm in the truth
Above all, when depression, discouragement, fear, or sensations of being overwhelmed hit, it is absolutely imperative to focus on truth. We can acknowledge the feelings of despair, but we have to cling to the truth of Scripture. Cling to the Word – and therefore to Christ – as if it is the only thing keeping you afloat in the sea of turmoil.
14) “You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.” Deuteronomy 13:4
15) “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63:8
16) “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:13
When you need to refocus
Sometimes when discouragement and symptoms of depression hit it’s because we have lost our focus. We are not seeking Christ. We are not loving Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. And when our focus is not on Christ – we are serving other idols. When we are not focused on Christ, we will be prone to be overwhelmed and discouraged. This can negatively affect our ability to write well.
17) “You will keep the mind that is dependent on You in perfect peace, for it is trusting in You.” Isaiah 26:3
18) Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” Matthew 22:37
19) “So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” Ephesians 4:14
20) “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalm 3:3
When you are feeling lethargic
Christ is our peace. When we are feeling exhausted, worn down by stress, completely lethargic and discouraged, we have to remember that Jesus is our peace. Sometimes the Lord allows us to be brought to the very edge of ourselves. He brings us to the place where we physically can not do it on our own. This is to teach us to rely on Christ. For it is only through His empowerment that we can endure and do what He has called us to do. We have to resist the temptation to give in to the feelings of despair and to trust the Lord who will always keep His promises.
21) “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” Ephesians 2:14
22) “I waited patiently for the Lord, He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.” Psalm 40:1-3
23) “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:6-9
Rediscovering the joy of writing
As we find the peace that surpasses understanding in Him and in Him alone, we become less burdened with exalting ourselves. We strive more than to glorify God in all that we do – even in our writing. The more we strive to bring God the glory in our writing the more joyful it is to do.
24) “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day. Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods.” 1 Chronicles 16:23-24
25) “Not to us, O Lord, not to us. But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.” Psalm 115:1
26) “So, whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
When you are struggling with a lack of production
Other times, writing blocks happen when we are struggling with not progressing as quickly as we would like in our writing. Whether the chapters are slow to form, or whether finding other writing positions is slow to happen. If we are trying to glorify God in all that we do, and we are writing purposefully with the intention of glorifying Him, we can rest in knowing that He is safe to trust with the timing of our creative expressions.
27) “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23
28) “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.” Ecclesiastes 9:10
Finding your writing voice
Writers have come to me asking for advice on how to find their creative voice. The only way this can happen is by reading authors that inspire you, and by … practicing. The more you write, the more you will find the specific style of voice that is unique to you. Above all, seek to bring God the glory in your writing.
29) “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6
30) “I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” Psalm 86:12
