Rise and Write: Overcoming 3 Common Obstacles Christian Writers Faceනියැදිය

Obstacle 1: Overcoming the Comparison Trap

If you have ever compared yourself to others, you know how life-draining this can be. Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” When our focus is on the achievements of others rather than what God has called us to do, we are being robbed of peace, contentment, and joy, among other things.

As writers, we are prone to fall into this comparison trap. We might look at a bestseller list and say to ourselves, “That’s what a book should be…what my book should be.”

Imagine if basketball players said, “I can’t top Michael Jordan or LeBron James so I’ll just quit playing basketball.” The reality is that every player offers something unique in the talent they have been given.

In the same way, every writer offers a unique flavor and style that God has wired into them. Whether fiction or nonfiction, the Christian writer desires to honor Jesus in their writing. We glorify God most when we write from a place of contentment in who God created us to be.

Paul writes these powerful words to help us avoid the comparison trap,

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” (Galatians 6:4-5)

When we’re focused and doing the best we can on our own work, we won’t need to compare ourselves to others. Why? Because we’re satisfied to be the unique writer God has called us to be, and we’re only responsible for the work He’s called us to.

Here are three practical tips that have helped us in our battle with comparison over the years.

Tip #1 – Turn Off Social Media

Is there any greater way to fall into the comparison trap than scrolling through social media? Talk about a potential thief of joy! We have found that there are seasons when it’s not a bad idea to limit or turn off social media completely in order to “pay careful attention to our own work.” If turning off social media isn’t an option, it can be helpful to mute other accounts that most tempt us to fall prey to comparison.

Tip #2 – Focus on Our Own Strengths

By now, you and I should have a pretty good idea of where our strengths and weaknesses lie. We get ourselves into trouble when we not only sulk over our weaknesses but also compare those weaknesses to the strengths of others. Focusing on our own strengths while working to gradually improve weaknesses is a recipe to grow and mature as writers.

Tip #3 - Celebrate Others

When we are intentional about celebrating the success of others, we are giving to others what we want to receive ourselves. It feels good when others recognize our hard work and achievements. Truly celebrating others from the heart is one of the best ways to see jealousy shrink. It’s so freeing to lift others up while leaving our own recognition in the hands of God.

Journaling Prompt

Have you ever struggled with the comparison trap? Spend some time writing about some of those instances that come to mind before lifting up the following prayer and asking the Lord to restore any joy that comparison has stolen.

Prayer

Father, as I read Galatians 6:4-5, I ask that this would be me as well, that I wouldn’t need to compare myself to anyone else. Help me look to You as the standard and the Giver of any content that I write. I ask that I would truly be able to rest in the fact that I am responsible for my own conduct. Help me not to look to the left or to the right or at other people and try to copy or compare. May I not feel myself slinking backward because I don’t measure up to this author or that bestseller. In the powerful name of Jesus, I pray, amen.