by Katy Kauffman @KatyKauffman28

“I just can’t do this.”

I heard the door creak, and hope leaked from my spirit.

“I’ll never get this done. Too much editing. I’m so tired.”

The door creaked longer the second time.

“Should I just stop?”

Another creak started, then stopped, as I remembered something precious—the moment God gave me the idea to write this book. I felt so excited, filled with anticipation, like pure joy was seeping down to the bottom of my soul.

“There’s no way I can stop now.”

 Slam. The door jamb shook a little, and I heard the door lock.

“Above all, taking the shield of faith

with which you will be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

(Ephesians 6:16 NKJV)

Did you know that the root word for “shield” in this verse, is “door”? When we cling to our faith in God, it’s like a door slams shut in the face of doubt, fear, and anxiety. Holding up our shield of faith against our spiritual enemy’s fiery arrows acts like a closed door so he can’t damage what God is building.

And God is building something amazing. First within us. As we work with Him to understand Scripture and how life with Him works, we’re changed from the inside out. Then He works with us to craft ideas, stories, and encouragement to share the truth He has given us.

God doesn’t just build within us, but within our audience too. He uses the message He has given us to build something beautiful within those who read it, such as renewed hope, fresh grace, or strengthening love. God can use our writing to make a difference. Don’t let any spiritual enemy thwart what God is doing.

Nehemiah understood the power of faith and the power of God. As a leader of God’s people in the Old Testament, he told the enemies of the Jews that God was the reason His people would continue to build the wall around Jerusalem. No matter how their enemies taunted them, the Jews would keep building. This is what he told their enemies.

“So I answered them, and said to them,

‘The God of heaven Himself will prosper us;

therefore we His servants will arise and build,

but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.’”

(Nehemiah 2:20 NKJV)

Fear, you have no right here. No place to call home in my heart.

Doubt, you don’t belong here. God will lead me, and I will stay close to Him so I know what to write and how.

Anxiety, I will trust God for how to publish this. In His way. In His timing.

If God has called us to write, He will help us do it. We are His servants, and the enemy has no place—no privilege or right—to mess with us and win. Keep building, writer friend. Keep writing.

The next time you’re tempted to give up on your writing or to give in to some fears or doubts, remember your faith in God and what He has called you to. Slam the door on those spiritual enemies. God has something great in mind. It’s great because He has a purpose for your writing, and He may use your writing to strengthen someone else’s faith so they say no to opposition and temptation.

How quickly or slowly do you slam the door on negative thoughts and discouragement? What gives you the strength to complete a book or project? Tell us in the comments, and don’t give up!

Katy Kauffman is an award-winning author, an editor of Refresh Bible Study Magazine, and a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies. She loves connecting with writers and working alongside them in compilations. Her writers’ newsletter called The Lighthouse Connection shares writing tips, inspiration to write, and news of submission opportunities. Katy is also the co-director of the Enrich Conference for Bible study writers, speakers, and teachers.

In addition to online magazines, Katy’s writing can be found at CBN.com, thoughts-about-God.com, and three blogs on writing. She loves to spend time with family and friends, draw flowers and landscapes in her sketchbook, and do yard work in the morning sun. Connect with her at www.lighthousebiblestudies.com