Tag Archive for: rejection

Time to withdraw?

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“Life’s roughest storms prove the strength of our anchors.”

Going through a rough patch right now? Possibly your creativity has all but stopped. Maybe life seems unfair as you battle depression, a job loss, or rejections from numerous publications? Has the weather got you down due to seeing only snippets of sun in the last week? It’s tough to write from an empty heart, but then again, it could be rewarding in the end.

"Life's roughest storms prove the strength of our anchors."

“Life’s roughest storms prove the strength of our anchors.”

Take comfort in the fact that Jesus himself felt the need to withdraw from the crowd. In fact, Luke 5:16, states that he often withdrew – “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” If Jesus felt it necessary to come aside, how much more should I? While away, scripture says that he prayed to his Heavenly Father.

Dear God, you are my Rock, my everlasting shelter in the midst of a storm. You do not waver and your love and mercy has no limit. Thank you for being my steady, solid anchor. I can depend on you no matter what I may face today. Amen.

There’s no reason to feel guilty about taking the time to take care of me. This valuable period is worthwhile, nurturing, and necessary.

When you and I do return to the masses (or just our family and friends), we will be a much better happier and healthier person for having taken the time to slip away into the wilderness.

Comfort one another

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“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 have received from God” —
2 Corinthians 1:3–4.

We need each other. God created us to work through and live out our faith in community. When one member is down and experiencing defeat, rejection, or depression, God provides a shoulder to lean on — sometimes through another person.

The reality is that there will be suffering. But this verse also promises the Father of compassion will be there to comfort us. And when we feel that comfort ourselves, it comes naturally to share that same comfort with a friend who is down or discouraged. This type of compassion is even more authentic when you have experienced a similar trial.

In my writer’s group, we all bring various talents and experiences to the table. Some authors have experienced great trauma in their past; others walk through troubled waters now.  In our groups, we have married and single members, others have children and grandchildren. Yet, we share a common bond as we wait on God, his perfect timing for publication, and just the right location to see each individual story in print.

Comfort one another

There is not a sorrow or a joy that goes unnoticed by God. He can use each up and down in our life to encourage another. He delights when we share our emotions and encourage each other to rely on him and not on our own methods or strength.

Dear God, Thank you for guiding me and shielding me through past times of turmoil. I need to keep on trusting in the midst of today’s circumstances. Nothing is wasted because you can use every high and low for your glory. Every day weaves a new piece of the tapestry called Life. Thank you for giving me comfort. And thank you for also providing comfort in the form of another compassionate person just when I needed it. Amen.

Thick skin

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“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

The question isn’t if we fail, it’s when we fail. We all fail in one area or another and cannot be good at everything all the time. I have my strengths and weaknesses, and so do you. The problem isn’t in the failing, but in the getting up, dusting off, and starting over again. It’s much easier to give up than to get up, isn’t it? Sometimes it’s a matter of pride. Do I get up again and start all over? Or, would it be easier just to quit and pretend I never started?

If I rise up after taking a stumble (like receiving rejection letters from disinterested editors), Emerson claims this is great glory. I try to reason with myself and say, that’s only one publishing company—there’s many more out there to pursue.

Lord, I pray for stamina and a thick skin to withstand rejection and failing. I know I will fail in some pursuits, but I also know this is part of life.

Is there some project you’ve been meaning to complete?  Or a new craft or skill you’d like to learn more about? What would be the first step to tackle that idea? What’s to stop you today from beginning step #1?

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