Eyes on the Horizon: Overcoming Writer’s Block by Shifting Your Focus
As an author, there are seasons when life simply feels heavy. We find ourselves
consumed by circumstances, busy schedules, unexpected problems, or
overwhelming situations that demand every ounce of our attention.
When your mind is bombarded by “the issues of life,” your creativity is often the first
thing to suffer. When problems become your priority, inspiration dries up. Focus
vanishes. Momentum disappears. Suddenly, the book that started as a hopeful
accomplishment feels like an impossible dream, and your notebook begins to collect
dust.
If you find yourself making justified excuses for why you aren’t writing, it’s a sign that
you have fallen out of sync with your God-given gift. But I want to encourage you
today: Writer’s block is often not a lack of ability, but a misplacement of focus.
The Kingdom Posture: Seeking First
Life will always have its ups and downs, but our success depends on what we focus
on during the toughest moments. Worrying only magnifies the circumstance. To
break the block, we must change our focus.
My guide for every situation is the Bible. In Matthew 6:33, we are instructed:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall
be provided for you.”
For us as Kingdom citizens, this is a call to a different posture. When we trust in the
Lord the Creator of all things, we realise that the situation causing the “block” is
actually much smaller than the One we serve (The Lord). When we seek Him in the
Word (The Bible), we find the faith and hope necessary to overcome. There is
nothing too big for the Ancient of Days.
While He is keeping His word and providing for your needs, you can begin to move
your pen again.
Lessons from the Waves: Why We Sink
Think of Peter in Matthew 14:22–33. He started his journey with a bold step of faith;
Peter was actually walking on water towards Jesus. He was doing the impossible!
But then, the Bible tells us he began to sink. Was it the strength of the wind or the
height of the waves that defeated him? No, it was his focus. Peter stopped seeking
Jesus’ face and started focusing on the storm. He felt the wind against his cheeks,
fear crept in, and he was paralyzed.
Writer’s block is exactly like those waves. When we focus on the “storms” of our
daily problems, we sink into inactivity. When we keep our eyes on the Rock of Ages,
we find ourselves walking on top of the very things that once threatened to drown our
creativity.
5 Steps to Finding Your Motivation Again
If you are ready to stop making excuses and start finishing your book, here is a
system to help you shift your focus back to your calling:
- Research and Prepare: Sometimes the “start” is simply gathering
information. Dive into the world of your book to reignite your interest. - Carry Your Tools: Always have a small notebook or a notes app on your
device. Be observant. What do you see around you today that can be added
to your project? Inspiration is everywhere when you are looking for it. - Remember Your “Why”: Why did you want to write this story? Who was your
original inspiration? Reconnecting with your initial purpose provides the “why”
that carries you through the “how.” - Capture Every Idea: No idea is too small. Don’t brush them off. Write every
single thought down because every idea can become a great book. - Just Start: You don’t need the perfect first line. Start in the middle, start at the
end, or start with a single character description. Movement creates
momentum.
Conclusion: Finishing the Race
It is not that writing is impossible; it is simply that life has interrupted your mindset.
Remember, fear paralyses, but faith propels.
Whether you are stuck in the middle of a manuscript or haven’t yet typed the first
word, I invite you to change your focus today. Take your eyes off the waves of your
circumstances and fix them back on the One who gave you the gift of storytelling in
the first place.
You are a work in progress, and your story is a work in progress, but with the right
foundation, you will finish.
