Sunday Devotion: When You're a Blessing, Beware!

Janet Rubin



God gave you a gift. He wants to use it to bring you fulfillment and joy, and to bless others. If you’ve found your way to Novel Journey, you are probably using that writing gift. Perhaps you are a novelist or someone pursuing that dream. Maybe you write articles or devotionals, in magazines or online. I’m doing some of that.

One of the coolest things we can experience is the joy of hearing from a reader who says, “Wow, what you wrote really blessed me. God used it to encourage/convict/teach me…” How humbling. It is at those moments that we begin to remember that it isn’t about us, or getting shelf space at Borders. It isn’t about getting awards or doing book signings. And it certainly isn’t about the money. We are a part of something bigger. Kingdom business.

But watch out! Just as you begin to savor that feeling—that exciting idea that God is using our writing in a big way—the attacks begin. Satan might not bother a closet writer too much, someone who is too insecure to show their writing to anyone. But someone who is prayerfully writing and putting their stuff out there? Someone whose work is making a difference to someone else (even just a few people)? He wants to take those people out.

How he goes about it varies. He may whack you with fear or temptation or sickness or depression. He may try to suck you into feeling prideful, taking all the credit instead of giving glory to the One who gave the gift. He may try to convince you that your writing isn’t going anywhere, and that you ought to quit and take up fly-fishing or origami instead.

One of the reasons the enemy is often able to trip us up is that, in general, us writers are an insecure lot. We have a hard time believing that anything we are doing is important enough to warrant an attack. Despite our active imaginations, we have difficulty believing a real battle is going on around us, and that our writing matters so much. As long as Satan can keep us thinking that there isn’t a threat, he has the upper hand. But we need to find the truth in Scripture:

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The threat is real. Fortunately, we are not powerless against the attacks, and we are not alone:

1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

And God has given us resources, like armor. Ephesians 6:14 “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand”.

He sends angels to fight on our behalf. Psalm 91:11 “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways”

God himself protects us. Psalm 5:11 “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”

We also have intercessors, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, rooting for us. Romans 8:26 “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” How cool is that?

So be aware. God wants to use you, and Satan wants to eliminate you. Your work does matter. So put on your armor, stick close to the Shepherd, and be strong in the Lord.

Father,
Thank you for making us writers and giving us the honor of being involved in Your kingdom work. Please keep us safe from the enemy’s attacks and help us to seek You continually. Amen