Home » Resistance: The Writer And The Struggle

Resistance: The Writer And The Struggle

December 10, 2012 by 26 Comments

There is a struggle every writer experiences. An invisible war one wages against. This struggle and battle is called…

Resistance.

I first heard about resistance when reading The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield. I  just finished his other book called Do The Work where he refers to resistance a lot.

I like reading his books because it helps me realize I’m not alone in the struggle with resistance. His books help motivate me to continue writing and not give up.

Resistance has a funny way of showing up when I’m sitting at the computer or when I need to get up early in the morning to write.

These voices of resistance bombard me by saying I shouldn’t bother getting up early because I can’t write anyway.

Resistance for the writer is like spiritual warfare for a believer. I believe they are one and the same.

As Christian writers, we are constantly battling an invisible force. This force doesn’t want us to use our gift to bless others.

This force is resistance and resistance comes from the enemy. The enemy wants to stop us from being used of God.

So how do we combat resistance?

I believe the only way to combat resistance is by prayer and the Word of God. We need to pray before we write.

When the voices of resistance come, we need to use Scripture to combat it. The Bible says,

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

As Christian writers, we can overcome the struggle through prayer and by submitting to God.

Resistance will have no option but to flee.

QUESTION: What are some of the ways resistance tries to stop the writer from writing? (click here to leave a comment)

* Image credit: Jonno Witts (Creative Commons)

Filed Under: Advice, Blogging, Habits, Nonfiction, Platform, Productivity, Rejection, Writing Tips Tagged With: , , , ,
About Pilar Arsenec

Pilar Arsenec is a writer, a reader, a book reviewer, and a vocalist. She is married with children. Her passions include: Jesus, family, people, books, music, food & culture.

You can visit her blog, Ordinary Servant, and connect with her on Facebook or Twitter.

  • http://www.beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/ Barb

    Ha – I can totally relate to this. I say, “I’m such a terrible writer. Why do I bother?” This not only makes me not want to write, it also stifles my writing when I do write because all my thoughts are on myself. I’m much better when I focus on my readers and loving them through my writing.

    • http://www.ordinaryservant.com/ Pilar Arsenec

      I struggle with this so much, Barb. It really does stop me from writing. I start to think of how many great writers there are in the world, and why would anyone want to read what I write. Who am I? So I get in this funk for awhile and then somehow I am reminded of my calling… this is something God wants me to do and so I continue on. But it’s a battle I tell you. :)

      • http://www.beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/ Barb

        It’s easy to read someone else’s writing and say, “You’re a good writer,” which is what I say about you (I just looked back at your Four F’s of writing post again and remembered – that’s right, I should be reading a chapter a day of a book on writing).

        It’s a lot harder to say that about our own writing because we look at our own writing with a magnifying glass! I’ve come to the conclusion that I have to go through a few years (maybe a bunch of years) being a bad writer or a so-so writer before I can be a good writer. I’m expecting too much from myself when I expect myself to be great right away.

        I think someone said you have to do something for 10 years or a thousand hours before you become an expert at it – I hope that’s not true!

        • http://www.ordinaryservant.com/ Pilar Arsenec

          Yes, you are so right, Barb. Thank you for this reminder. You blessed me so much today. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my posts and for your comments today. I really appreciate it.

  • http://aparchedsoul.com/ Grayson Pope (A Parched Soul)

    I find myself struggling with resistance when I try to write outside my comfort zone, like when writing a guest post. I’m fine with my own content and style, but I get nervous when venturing into someone else’s world. 

    • http://www.ordinaryservant.com/ Pilar Arsenec

      Oh yes, this is definitely something I struggle with too. I am anxious writing on my own blog, but way more nervous when I’m guest posting. I’ve been really forcing myself to guest post. I want to overcome this resistance and fear. Thanks for reading my post and commenting. I really appreciate it.

      • http://aparchedsoul.com/ Grayson Pope (A Parched Soul)

        I’m forcing myself to do the same right now! I find it so tempting to just write it and hit send, but I’m making myself slow down and try to match the other author’s audience.

        • http://www.ordinaryservant.com/ Pilar Arsenec

          That is awesome, Grayson. Thanks for sharing, I’ve been very encouraged by your comments.

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  • http://www.tammyhelfrich.com/ Tammy Helfrich

    By telling us that our voice doesn’t matter. Great post, Pilar!

    • http://www.ordinaryservant.com/ Pilar Arsenec

      Thank you my friend, Love you!

  • http://www.CharlesSpecht.com/ Charles Specht

    I’m constantly experiencing the push, pull, and trip of resistance. Most of it is internal. Keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus is the solution.

  • http://www.americasnexttopmommy.blogspot.com/ Alicia Yost

    I couldn’t agree more and I can’t believe that I’ve never sat down to pray before I write!!! And you’re so right about that voice, that voice that tells me that what I’m writing isn’t good enough.  It tells me that people will laugh at what I write and this is very much the voice of the enemy.  Thanks for reminding me of that simple thing, to pray before I write.  Sometimes the most incredible things are so simple and yet overlooked. Love this!

    • http://www.ordinaryservant.com/ Pilar Arsenec

      Alicia, I’m learning as I go. The voices are fierce and I’ve been asking the Lord to help me not let it sabotage writing for His glory. I’m so glad this post blessed you, I was battling with resistance writing it. :) Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate it very much.

    • http://www.CharlesSpecht.com/ Charles Specht

      I know, isn’t it strange how often we fail to pray? I wonder how weak my writings have been because they were not first bathed in prayer. Ouch.

      A great reminder, indeed.

  • Dave Arnold

    Great post and reminder, Pilar. I like this quote: “The enemy wants to stop us from being used of God.” So true. Anything good, any worthy and godly cause, the enemy will try to thwart. God bless you!

    • http://www.CharlesSpecht.com/ Charles Specht

      Yes, that’s so very true.

  • http://www.timothyburns.com/ Timothy Burns

    Pretty simplistic answer, Pilar. Resistance can be more complicated, and throwing scriptural stones at a shadow behind an emotional bush isn’t going to get any words on paper.

    I’m just saying.

    • http://www.CharlesSpecht.com/ Charles Specht

      Hmmm, I think it does.  ;-)

      It is amazing what positive thinking and a bit of encouraging can do. 

    • http://intentionaltoday.com/ Ngina Otiende

      ‘Simple’ often gets me further than anything else ever could :) . Today I had this huge ‘writers block’. I paced around the house for a while and prayed and brewed a cup of coffee :)

      Then I sat behind the computer again.

      Four hours later, am closer to finishing my ebook. ‘Simple’ worked. :)

      Ofcourse we need to “do” something after we pray and quote the word. we can also find other ways to motivate ourselves further (for example caffeine was good for my system today :) )

      But prayer and the Word are foundational.

      • http://www.ordinaryservant.com/ Pilar Arsenec

        Amen Ngina, thanks so much for sharing. It is very encouraging. :)

    • http://www.ordinaryservant.com/ Pilar Arsenec

      Hi, thanks for reading and commenting Timothy Burns. Perhaps you can amplify by giving an example of what you mean by “throwing scriptural stones at a shadow behind an emotional bush isn’t going to get any words on paper.” I am not sure what you mean by this and I would like to understand, so if you wouldn’t mind giving some examples of what you mean, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

      • http://www.timothyburns.com/ Timothy Burns

        When the disciples walked with Jesus, one day they passed a man born blind, and asked “Jesus, who’s sin caused this man’s blindness, his or his parents?” Jesus replied “He is blind so that the glory of God can be shown,”  and he healed the man. Some people Jesus healed and told to go and tell their friends, some he told to tell no one. Some he showed compassion on, and others he warned “Now, go your way and sin no more so that something worse doesn’t happen to you.”

        The disciples’ problem, and ours, is they fell victim to the cliches of their time, that since often caused bad terrible consequences, all bad consequences must be the result of sin. Jesus corrected their short sighted spiritual vision. Today, too many well meaning Christians have little more than a cliche Christianity, We want to through a single idea at every problem, and in the process, like the disciples, miss the opportunity to press into a deeper encounter with our God. 

        So, back to my (admittedly) short comment. Writing Resistance may be the result of spiritual oppression. It can also be the product of emotional wounds anchored to painful rejection somewhere in your life. It could also be that you’re eating a high fat, high sugar diet, it’s 3:00, and you’re sitting in a chair that promotes terrible posture, and as a result you’re blood sugar is crashing, and your not getting enough fresh blood and nourishment to your brain.

        In the latter cases, praying against the demon of rejection isn’t going to help any more than casting out the demon of Hershey Bars, poor posture or uncomfortable chairs. (yes, I’m sorry, but my mild sarcasm is intentional.) 

        If we want to make an impact on the world, through our words and our lives, we have to grow past comfortable cliche-based Christianity, that is based more in our personal experiences that solid biblical faith, and a living relationship with the living God.

        • http://www.ordinaryservant.com/ Pilar Arsenec

          Thank you for your lengthy response and for critiquing my post.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Katherine-Harms/602268732 Katherine Harms

    I know what you mean. In the wee hours, 2AM or so, I have more than once decided to pack it in come morning. Fortunately, my morning routine is to begin the day with prayer. When I listen to God instead of that Satanic whisper that says, “You ditz. Who do you think you are? What wants to read what you write?” I know that he gave me this work. The reason Satan bothers me is that I am being obedient. He can’t stand it. We must listen to God instead of letting the Enemy work us over. You are right, Pilar. It sounds simplistic, and thank goodness, it is simple. Pray. That really is the answer.

    • http://www.ordinaryservant.com/ Pilar Arsenec

      Amen, Katherine. All of us are not alone in this battle. Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it.