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Lindsey Zitzmann's avatar

It’s like you’re pulling words out of my heart that I have felt but haven’t been able to articulate. Another great, encouraging (and I believe divinely given) post. Thanks for letting your overflow pour out to the rest of us!

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Grant Herbel's avatar

That’s so very kind of you to say. Praise God!

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Ms_Pomales's avatar

Yes! THIS! I’m positive every Christian writer can relate to this. Thank you for articulating it so well. Keep at it

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Grant Herbel's avatar

Praise God, thanks for your kind words!

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Rosemary Van Gelderen's avatar

This is really good. And although there are many out there who may be following these formulas, I've met many Christian writers on here who are authentic and consistently write from, what I feel is the heart. My writing comes from excess. From different trials and aspects of my life and family, from time spent in the Bible and from messages I've listened to or songs sung in church. I write a lot about addiction as my daughter is a fentanyl addict but also about the people I meet on the street. I rarely struggle to put pen to paper, but I do get the need to post regularly and I was recently sick for three weeks. It was a struggle to even think, so I shared some things I had written for a writing group. And I apologized to my readers. A good consistent relationship with Christ is key, along with a dose of humility, and the ability to laugh at yourself.

I read this post last week by @audrapowers and I feel that it really comes alongside what you are saying.

https://open.substack.com/pub/audrapowers/p/youre-called-to-a-person-not-a-platform?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=157l9j

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Wade Pan's avatar

I checked it out, thanks Rosemary.

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Gio's avatar
Feb 18Edited

I totally agree and relate to this. I've thought about starting a christian newsletter where I share my personal journey with scripture, walking with Christ, etc....but I get hesitant because I don't want what I say to be polluted by my own attachment to outcomes, having to create consistently, paying attention to likes, etc. I just want to keep it pure, and sacred like you mentioned.

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Grant Herbel's avatar

The good news is that the community on Substack is so great, it makes this a bit easier :)

It's a fine line to walk, but once you jump in, keeping your eyes on Christ, He will show you the balance.

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Gio's avatar

Very true, the community here is light, and open. Thanks for the nudge I needed to jump into the pool.

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Julie Barton's avatar

This is gold! As a spiritual content writer, it is very important for me to balance the being filled times with the pouring out times, as much as is possible. Thank you for that insight. Prayer before I begin writing, for the Spirit to work through me, my hands, and mind to write what God wants people to read has helped as well. Thank you for sharing!

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Greg M Cole's avatar

This is such good advise. Trying to keep up with a weekly schedule can be quite daunting. I think that writing from the overflow will eventually produce a reservoir of content.

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Grant Herbel's avatar

Exactly!

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JenThePen's avatar

This is fantastic advice! Writing feels so much less like drudgery when it’s the overflow of a filled-up heart. ❤️

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Grant Herbel's avatar

Very well said :)

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Pam Whetstone's avatar

This is so good!

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Sarah Bowers's avatar

And those times when words don't come easily?

Take it as an invitation to return to the source. Sometimes what feels like writer's block is actually God's gentle reminder to be filled again first.

I needed that today, thank you.

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Grant Herbel's avatar

Praise God. It means a lot to hear that, thank you.

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Laura Morton's avatar

I sure know what you mean so it comes down to getting clear guidance from God about the specific call. I felt called to write a couple year ago - I wrote and published weekly, which was tough and not everything felt anointed. I felt the nudge to stop. Now back with a weekly plan for something different - and just ran into the deep well of why I wrote before. I felt like I had failed by stopping but that was not it. God left me a message in a bottle. 🙏🏽💜

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Grant Herbel's avatar

Wow, that’s very insightful stuff. Praise God that you not only listen for but follow His guidance.

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Laura Morton's avatar

God shows up - He shows up no matter which method you use as long as it is the steps He laid out for you. I literally was broken in tears on Friday staring back at what I wrote in 2023 that told me exactly what I needed to do this week. He shows up.

Thank you for writing - it's great stuff!

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Katie Donohue Tona's avatar

This topic has been strong on my heart the last month or so as I've tried to navigate this phenomenon. This post is so helpful. Every Christian writer needs to read this!

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Anna Hawkes Cabral's avatar

Convicting, refreshing, and encouraging article. Thank you, Grant! God is constantly showing me that abiding in Him will produce lasting fruit. Even when the fruit is not visible - book sales, subscribers, comments. My part as a Christian writer is to be with Jesus and then, in obedience to Him, write from the overflow of our relationship and what He is teaching me. Not strive to make things happen. Not stress to make things happen. But simply to abide in Him.

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Grant Herbel's avatar

Very well said! I appreciate the encouragement from you :)

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Ireana Flach's avatar

Really resonate with this! So much wisdom and a loving reminder for us Christians to keep our priorities in check.

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Drops from Heaven's avatar

Wow thank you for this timely piece of truth ... "Our role isn't to manufacture living water—it's to stay close to the Source and let Him flow through us."

🙏🏾

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Chosen Caleb's avatar

Timely word

God bless you brother

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Cheryl Hulseapple's avatar

The belief that if I start I need to then produce on schedule stops me every time. The idea of "overflowing" in God's timing is so helpful. Thanks!

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