I do not like to experience disappointment. I do not like rejection, even when it isn’t my personal project being turned down. I do not like to be the bearer of bad news.
And yet I do experience disappointment, rejection, and the telling of bad news–every week. That is the nature of the arts.
The arts (meaning music, writing, dance, and painting) are comprised of thousands of hours of practice, long days of solitude, and truckloads of self-doubt in a world where everyone is a critic.
However, I am inspired by the recitation of the failures of Abraham Lincoln during the 26 years before he was elected President of the United States. During those 26 years he:
Lost his job.
Was defeated for the state legislature.
Failed in business.
Lost his sweetheart to death.
Had a nervous breakdown.
Was defeated for Speaker.
Was defeated for nomination for Congress.
Lost renomination.
Was rejected for land officer.
Was defeated for U.S. Senate.
Was defeated for nomination for Vice President.
Again was defeated for U.S. Senate.
I find that list invigorating. I began in this business forty-two years ago as a part-time shelf-duster in a bookstore. In these ensuing years, I experienced many disappointments and failures, yet God has blessed our family in so many ways.
If you get slapped with a rejection letter today:
“Woe is me! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain. I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest” (Jeremiah 45:3).
If your agent tells you that your latest proposal is flat and needs work:
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
If your editor goes on a rampage and takes a machete to your manuscript:
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character (Romans 5:3-4).
If your self-talk begins shouting the word “Loser” in a shrill voice:
As I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless . . . like chasing the wind (Ecclesiastes 2:11).
If any of these things hit you, remember:
Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Fun Fridays – June 16, 2023
And now both arms are sore affected,
metastases in each;
a curse, yet not to be rejected,
for there’s much that it can teach
about fell nature of the pain,
and the baseness of the rebel me,
about the good that doth remain
within, and of the victory
that’s metaphorically at hand
(though literally – ouch! – ungrasped)
as in my heart I understand
that though my strength is sapped
and arms hang aching at my sides,
I’m in the place where God abides.
Like ol’ MO’s bro
And buddy Hur,
I’ll lift your arms
In prayers that sure
Will reach the throne,
And intercede
For you, my friend,
In time of need.
Karen, thank you. Lifting arms even chest-high is mind-numbingly bad now, so the help in raising arms to God is sure appreciated.
Andrew, your last line really hits home.
Years ago, my husband and I and our best friends were doing a study on the sovereignty of God. In one of the video lessons, they interviewed a young man who had been born a quadriplegic. One of the things he said stays with me. “I thank God for choosing me to serve Him in the area of suffering.”
Wow! I don’t know if I’d be able to say that. But that man knew he was in the place where God abides. Jesus was a man of sorrow and suffering. Well acquainted with grief. That helps me when I feel sorry for myself. I hope it helps you, too. ((hugs)) and prayers …
Abraham Lincoln, like Queen Esther, was God’s person for “such a time as this.” Disappointment and rejection are God’s reminders that I don’t get to choose my time and place. He’s in control.
In at least one case, Lincoln chose to lose for the greater good. His lineup of failures has been shown to be not quite what is so popularized, copied countless times. The truth is, the only way we can fail God is to give up.
Oh my goodness, thank you. May I always remember to do all for the glory of God. If my work is not glorifying He will send trusted brothers and sisters to speak truth.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Thank you Steve for the awesome example of Abraham Lincoln. “Honest Abe.” When you know you ARE Called, you KNOW Who Will Qualify you.
This is so encouraging to me as I press on towards the goal of becoming a published Author.
Thank you Steve! You passed on the best words of advice for a new writer!
Boy, howdy . . . did I ever need this kick in the booty today.
Thanks!
Great information, Steve. In addition to the beautiful scriptures, here’s a quote from Daniel Defoe’s character Robinson Crusoe that I find particularly relevant:
“I learned to look more upon the bright side of my condition, and less upon the dark side, and to consider what I enjoyed rather than what I wanted; and this gave me sometimes such secret comforts, that I cannot express them; … All our discontents about what we want appeared to me to spring from the want of thankfulness for what we have.”
Thanks for your encouraging words! I turned in an edited MS Friday to my agent, hoping and praying that I won’t hear that it needs more editing!!! It’s such a painful task, but I know it brings out the best. And that’s what we want to offer to our Lord!
Thanks for the encouragement in the midst of discouragement.
The critics are always shouting (with the one in my head often being the loudest) and those truckloads of self-doubt always seem ready to take us out. But God knows the reasons and the ways around the obstacles, even when we don’t (yet 😉 ).
Thanks for the words of wisdom and encouragement as we head into a new week.
Thanks, Steve, for this good, inspiring word. I enjoyed meeting you at WTP and because my time there was met with successful promises, I will need to prepare for coming disappointments. Oh, the paradoxical paths of the writer!
Thank you for your words and for the responses they elicited. All of them are an encouragement and a call to confident humility and trust.
Thank you for keeping our thoughts and our hearts grounded in God’s Word.
Thank you for this great post, Steve.
When disappointments come my way I think of one of my favorite hymns: “Whate’er My God Ordains is Right.” Disappointments quickly turn into blessings.
When I told my college roommate I wanted to be a writer she said, “Show me your rejection slips. You’re not a writer til you get rejections.” (This was back when publishers sent paper rejection slips.) She nagged me until I sent something where I knew it couldn’t be accepted and showed her the rejection I got. A few years later when I sent my first submission and got a rejection I exclaimed, “Wow! That shows I’m really a writer!” Of course I got many more and wish publishers still responded to submissions they don’t accept.
Our own voice is usually the harshest!
Well said. Timely.
Blessed!
Disappointment is by appointment.
My schedule is clear.
There’s no fear,
moving forward.
Steve,
RTP was such a fun, learning, enriching experience–much ammunition acquired. I feel ready to proceed, and that’s HUGE. I’m psyched! Thanks again.
Thanks for this, Steve!
Thanks, Steve. Fear of failure is a mountain many of us climb as we work to finish a manuscript, or even to make ourselves sit down in that chair. So much self-doubt! Keeping our eye on Who we are trying to serve, and Who gives us the strength and will to persevere, is key to crossing the finish line.
You are a great encourager, and I appreciate you. God bless you.
Thank you for these words of perspective, wisdom, and encouragement! <3