“A writer is a writer not because she writes well and easily, because she has amazing talent, because everything she does is golden. In my view a writer is a writer because even when there is no hope, even when nothing you do shows any sign of promise, you keep writing anyway.” – Junot Diaz
What do you do when you feel down, writer? Sometimes the best thing to do is to sing. Zephaniah 3:14-15 says…
14 Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
he has cleared away your enemies.The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall never again fear evil.Zephaniah 3:14-15
These words of Zephaniah came before Israel had been rescued. Before rescue, they were told to sing. Kind of like Jehoshaphat and his army. Why is that, writer? Let me tell you something.
One of the most powerful weapons we have is the little tool two inches below our nose.
Just think, your King wants to use your words to change people’s lives. But sometimes, we have to start by using our words to change our lives first. There is nothing like the power of praise to lift our eyes and reminds us of who we are and whose we are.
16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
17 The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.
18 I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival,
so that you will no longer suffer reproach.Zephaniah 3:16-18
Our King lives in the praises of His people. So I encourage you, begin to praise Him for who He is. But that’s not all. Our King also holds His word above His name. He watches over it to perform it. And if He’s watching over His word to perform it…what does that mean? Sometimes, writer, it means He’s waiting to hear you agree with it. When we speak His promises back to Him, we remind Him—and mostly remind ourselves—that we trust Him. We trust Him to complete what He’s started in us.
So, writer, in addition to praising your King for who He is, remember to praise Him for the promises He’s made. If He’s said it, it’s as good as done. No matter how long it takes. And as we praise Him, the haze that’s surrounded us often begins to clear. Because there’s nothing that will distort our perspective like fear, depression, and complaint.
Fear, depression, and complaint invite…oppression…and sink us so low that the simplest things seem difficult. Until even blessings feel like burdens. Praise, on the other hand, lifts us up to regain Heaven’s view of our situation. And another amazing thing happens, writer. When we begin to praise, the Lord begins to fight our battles.
19 Behold, at that time I will deal
with all your oppressors.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
20 At that time I will bring you in,
at the time when I gather you together;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes,” says the Lord.Zephaniah 3:19-20
Does that mean a song will instantly fix our problems? Perhaps not. But it will instantly change our focus and invite our King into the process.
So this season, when you feel at your lowest: look up! Begin to praise your King. Begin to praise Him for who He is. For who He’s made you to be. For the promises He’s made you as His writer. And then as your vision begins to clear, pick up your pen and write again.
#writing #praise #joy #everywriterwriting
