Rejection letters from magazine editors, book publishers, and agents.
Book sales? They’re flat lining.
It’s all too easy for writers to get discouraged.
I’ve received my share of rejection letters, and at present my book sales are dismal. Between the day job and my freelance work, marketing my books and writing my newest book get pushed to the very bottom of the to-do list.
3 Reasons for Discouragement
Generally speaking, I find discouragement happens because we are…
- focused on the problem
- physically or emotionally worn out (sick or overworked)
- under spiritual attack.
We all reach out for encouragement at times and there’s nothing wrong with that.
I find discouragement often hits me at the same time of the day—when I first get up at 5 a.m. Who wants a phone call at that hour? And yes, I can send an email, but when will I get an answer? Do I wallow in my discouragement until then?
Some 25 years ago during a difficult battle with depression, a friend advised me to learn to encourage myself just as the psalmist did in Psalm 42:5
“Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!”
I committed that verse to memory and quoted it often during that time…and many times since then.
3 Sources of Encouragement
For each reason of discouragement above there is a way to combat it.
- Focus on your goal, not the problem.
- Better yet, focus on God. Read Matthew 14:25–30, and then read Mark 11:24.
- Take care of yourself
- (I take a B-complex supplement twice/day to keep my mood on the positive side)
- Pray Bible verses that speak to your situation.
- Try Matthew 19:26, Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 54:17, Psalm 1:3, Romans 8:31.
What do you do when you find yourself discouraged? Leave your comments in the box below.
Kathy says
This is such excellent advice. I find the closer I am to breakthrough on a project, the harder the fight. It’s kind of like the transition stage of childbirth. I always want to give up just before the manuscript is finished or the book comes out or the deadline arrives. Reminding myself that I’ve been here before, like the Psalmist does, and that God has always brought me through usually works.
Regular exercise also helps me fight the depression.
Debra says
Kathy, you really hit the mark with your words “reminding myself I’ve been here before.” God often told his people to build a memorial so they had something to remind themselves that God brought them through in the past, and He would do it again. When we’re in the pit we can often miss seeing our prior victories. So part of encouraging myself includes reminding myself of what I have already accomplished.