“You are the God who sees me.” ~ Hagar
Genesis 16:13 (NIV)
Rejection. Every writer is familiar with it. It stings like a scorpion in the hot desert, which is where Hagar found herself. Her mistress, Sarai had given Hagar an assignment, but then rejected her. How many times have you turned in an article, only to receive a rejection notice? Or, no notification at all? Rejection begins to feel personal and pointed. Maybe your self-esteem plummets, too? Writers can question the worth of their words and suffer from Imposter Syndrome.
Author Valerie Young says, “A sense of belonging fosters confidence.” So, work with your writers group to build your skills and add finesse to your words. Don’t succumb to those feelings of inadequacy or let rejection define you.
What if there was another way? The angel said, “Go back and submit.” (Genesis 16:9)
What if we went back to that editor and submitted a new idea? What if we repurposed the theme into a fresh perspective and submitted it to another market?
Hagar didn’t stay stuck in the desert. The Lord opened her eyes to see the new thing He wanted to do in her life. (Genesis 21:19) God provided another way for Hagar and He can do the same for you. Then, like Hagar, you’ll agree, “God sees me!”
Exercise:
- Are you feeling stuck? Ask the Lord to open your eyes to the underlying issue. Talk to a trusted writer friend about your findings and commit to pray together. (Galatians 6:2)
- Hagar turned away from her son, when she thought she was inadequate to help. But her trip to the well refreshed herself and her son. Jesus is the Living Water. Let Him refresh you and others through the words you write. (John 4:13-14)
- Are you afraid of not measuring up? Walk away from those feelings of inferiority by doing something to take your next step toward accomplishing a goal. It will give you the courage to keep going and refresh your self-esteem. (Proverbs 14:22-23)
- Look through your contacts from magazines in print or online. Maybe it’s been a while since you emailed that editor with a query. Is there someone you can contact and offer your services? Pitch an idea and see where it leads. I did this and ended up getting one of my biggest paying jobs, yet. (Ephesians 6:7)
Stay proactive in sending out your words when you “return and submit!”
Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.
Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.
Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.
Visit Sally’s blog at www.sallyferguson.net
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