Writer’s Block — What If It’s Disobedience?

“What is happening? God always shows up.” I stared with glazed eyes until the white page on the screen blurred. I couldn’t write. I had the idea but nothing followed — neither brainstorm nor outline. Writing became like wading in mud, and I remained stuck. 

Prior to this, ideas flowed like a fountain. I journaled and jotted down observations, sticky statements, book concepts and outlines, devotion drafts, and social media post ideas. With each new idea, I thought, I can’t wait to write this piece! However, I kept filling the journal and never finished writing any of the pieces. 

I began to pray. What I learned surprised and convicted me. 

You see, I wrestled with the thoughts of Reason and Wisdom:  

Reason said, At least you are writing. 

Wisdom said, Write a little each day.

Reason said, You are overbooked. 

Wisdom said, It might be time to change your priorities.

Reason said, This is very hard and will take a lot of time. 

Wisdom said, Hard work delivers a blessing.

Then, Reason lied, God understands if you can’t do it now. 

Wisdom told the truth, Obedience blesses you, others and God. 

As I went back and forth, I realized my lack of follow-through was disobedience. Instead of finishing the pieces, I saw these as “Some Day” projects. Some were, but others were not. 

When God gives an assignment and we do not obey, we follow in the footsteps of Jonah, the prophet. In the book of Jonah (Jonah 1:1-2; 3:1-10), God provided the prophet with a specific message (a warning of judgment) to a specific group of people (the people of Nineveh) for a specific purpose (Nineveh’s relationship with God). This urgent message would change Nineveh’s relationship with God one way or another. 

Likewise, if you are called to write, God chose you to deliver a specific message (your witness of Him) for a specific group of people (your niche) for a specific purpose (to tell them about Jesus). This message will change your audience’s relationship with God one way or another. 

As I prayed to God about my writer’s block, I realized I had not been faithful to completing the writing God gave me. Like Jonah, I did not share the message. I thought I had plenty of time, until I saw my words and ideas in someone else’s message. I could have been writing for and sharing the message with dear souls so that it would be possible for them to believe in Him. God’s grace redeemed me; He inspired someone else to do the work He intended me to do. He forgave me, but He desired my obedient “yes.”

If you are experiencing writer’s block, you may want to ask yourself: 

Have I obeyed God by completing the assignments He gave me? 

Have I prayed for God to help me prioritize my writing assignments? 

Have I asked Him to send me the provision of endurance?

Have I stumbled over a reason for not obeying His writing assignments? 

Like Jonah, we can discover and turn away from the reasons that keep us from obeying God’s assignments. But God wants to reach our readers, and He uses us to deliver messages He wants to reach them with.

Blessings, 

Joanne Almeter 

Have you experienced writer’s block due to disobedience in your call to write or speak? How have you prayed for God to help you through it? What provision has God provided for you to write His message?