Possess the Territory God Gives You

When the Children of Israel looked out to see the land the LORD was giving them, they were amazed, and maybe still a little fearful of what that possession might mean. But they had to understand that it would not be gained in their power. They had to be strong and courageous in God's strength, not their own, and this message had to come from their new leader, Joshua. God took time to encourage Joshua so the group would possess their land. 

And this is also applicable to writers. We do not obtain success in our own strength or by our own wonderful writing.But we also need to take the steps to gain that possession of our success. Listening to what God has told ancient leaders can also be applied to our own journey. 

In Joshua 1: 3 God tells them: "I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses."

God is encouraging Joshua to possess this Promise, this tangible land, that was originally promised to Abraham. He's being warm and tender as He tells him where this land He wants them to possess is, laying out the boundaries. God also can lay out the borders of our writing territory if we are listening to Him. Does it concern genre? Yes, it could. Topics? Theme? Where you spend your time in your writing career? Of course.

Further on in Joshua 1: 5 He encourages, "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you."

And He doesn't stop there.

Joshua 1:6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people [us] to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7: "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."

Being "strong and courageous" is repeated three times and we know that when God does this, it is extremely important. (vs. 6,7, 9) 

Applying this to your writing, note these things:

1. You do not do your writing or achieve success (God's success might look different than the world's version of success!) in your own power. It's by God's strength alone. 

2. Be strong and courageous. Write the tough things and possess that territory that God is giving you! Don't be afraid of it.

3. Accept God's encouragement and rest in it. How many times have we been discouraged in this writing journey? It happens. Go back and read Joshua 1 as many times as you need to.

4. God never leaves you. You can try to shut Him out or push Him back but He doesn't leave you. Sometimes you aren't even aware of how much He is carrying you! So be comforted by that, embrace Him in your life when you can't see Him. Embrace Him in your writing. 

5. Do the work. Take the steps you need to in order to possess the Promised Land.   

Are you tripping yourself up on any of this as you seek to possess the territory that God has given you in writing? You don't have to share your specific flaws, but if you can give encouragement to writers here, please let us know what helps you to move on in God's grace and mercy.