Look Up | Julane Fisher
- acfwnga
- May 10, 2018
- 2 min read
The Trenches of Failure
At the completion of my first novel, I created a poster on my wall that read, “Number of no’s,” and underneath, “It only takes one yes!” It was my constant reminder as rejections from agents and editors flooded in that all I needed was one person to say yes to my manuscript. As the no column filled up, I became discouraged.
Pretty soon, my familiar guests, fear and rejection, came for an uninvited visit and refused to leave! They reminded me of all my failures. No one will want to buy your book. You’ll get terrible reviews. The negative messages played in my head for days like a song set to repeat on my playlist.
Afraid of Heights?
Two years ago while visiting Barcelona with my husband, I spent a day touring the Monastery at Monserrat in the mountains of Spain. Built in the year 1025, the Monastery stands 4055 feet above sea-level. To reach the top, I had to ride either a cable car suspended in the air or a funicular that travels straight up 3280 feet. Once I reached the top, the only thing standing between me and the 3280 foot drop was a small wooden fence. No guard rails, no metal railing.
As I stood on the edge of that cliff, fear kept me looking down at the rocks below. When I finally looked up, I saw the path through the mountain that would lead me to safety.
Through Highs and Lows
It’s much like this in our spiritual journey. Rejection, doubt, and fear flood us and we forget to look up to our Heavenly Father who has promised that He has our best interest at heart. Rejection hurts, but sometimes rejection is God’s protection.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”
God knows the plan He has for me, even when I can’t see it. Waiting and rejection are sometimes part of God’s greater plan. What are you struggling with right now? Have you received so many no’s from editors and agents that you’re thinking of giving up? The difference between success and failure is like standing on the edge of a cliff. Only when you look up to your Heavenly Father, will you see what He has in store for you!
Where will you look?
Julane Fisher is the author of The Sour Lemon Series, Southern fiction for middle school teens. Her debut novel, Sour Lemon and Sweet Tea, is a humorous portrayal of life before cell phones and social media, emphasizing positive family values. Her blog, 2Wrds, is a collection of encouraging and inspirational stories. Learn more at www.julanefisher.com
Yes! Yes! Yes! Disappointments in life are inevitable, sometimes sharp and deep. And sometimes daily life is discouraging; it feels static. We MUST look to God for stable, loving encouragement. Thanks for sharing this good word!
Thank you for sharing your story. Great reminder.
Great perspective, Julane! I would definitely say I'm struggling with progress at the moment, and your outlook is just as helpful in this as it is for rejection. It's very easy to stare at my feet and mope that they haven't covered as much ground as I'd hoped, instead of looking up to see both how far God has brought me, and the places I haven't even imagined He has in store!