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After two years of marriage, you’re still considered a newlywed, but in the blogging world, two years seems more like a silver anniversary.
I read that over 90% of bloggers abandon their blogs after the first year.
According to 10 Blog Statistics of 2017, the average blog post takes 3 hours and 16 minutes to write.
When you consider that the top-ranked posts in google are between 1,140-1,285 words and that the median average time spent reading an article is 37 seconds and that 43% of readers skim blog posts, you can see why we sometimes we wonder if the only people really reading our posts are other bloggers.
We publish words that feel vulnerable, hoping our stories will bring comfort to someone and remind ourselves that we never know where/who our words are reaching.
We are often surprised that our Pinterest pin has reached another country or when we receive a comment from a thankful reader who has been ministered to. Those are the moments we remember our purpose in ministry and in doing what we love.
And that’s the thing. We love doing it.
So I want to share with you some of the struggles I’ve faced as a blogger. Not because I’m complaining, but because I/we need your prayers.
I believe the internet is a great way to share the Lord with so many people that would never otherwise have been reached. I believe the more Faith Bloggers out there, the more people we can reach with the gospel of Christ.
We May Have a Hard Time Calling Ourselves Writers
I had a hard time calling myself a “blogger.” It just felt strange to me. In fact, I’m not even sure I really care for the sound of the word.
I preferred calling myself a “writer” but I couldn’t even say that out loud until last year. I went to a Christian writing conference and they had everyone look at the person next to them as if in an AA meeting and say “I am a writer.” And then I realized I wasn’t alone. Most of them had a hard time claiming the esteemed title in their head of what they think a writer should be.
But I can finally say it now with confidence because I know I’m living out my purpose when I share the Lord through my writing. My favorite thing to say is that I’m a Hope Writer. It’s also one of my favorite writing groups.
We May Struggle to Share Our Writing Ministry With Friends
When I started blogging, all I wanted to do was write and share how the Lord has worked in my life. I wanted to help others.
I soon learned that if I wanted to reach others with my message of hope, I needed to start a FB page, a Pinterest business account, and learn Twitter and Instagram. It was honestly so hard for me to put my posts out there because I didn’t want others (especially the people I knew) to think I was trying to “promote myself.”
But now I see that unless I share, the message won’t reach anybody. Sometimes when friends ask me what I’ve done that day and I share about my blog ministry, there’s this awkward silence. I’ve had to learn to let that go, deal with my own insecurity and not take it personally. Some people just don’t read blogs or maybe they don’t understand how it can be a ministry, and that’s ok.
We Haven’t Arrived
The most-viewed posts on Pinterest are lists and How-To’s like How I Fight To Keep My Marriage Strong. Some are lessons I’ve learned through some very difficult times. But the thing is, I am STILL learning them. I haven’t arrived at some lofty place where I have it all together and I can tell others the cure-all for marriage woes.
But, I can share with people important truths I’ve learned. I just wrote a series called Mending Marriage Prayers. I believe with all my heart that prayer has helped mend the broken places in my marriage, but the thing is, prayer is STILL mending those places. And that’s ok.
God doesn’t wait for us to have it all together before he can use us. Share on X
Amen for that, right? Sometimes we succumb to that lie—that God wants us to have it all together first. But He uses the broken and the weak. He comforts us so that we can comfort others.
Satan Attacks Us in the Things We Write About
I have never felt the attacks of Satan as strongly as I do now that I am pressing publish on posts that share about Jesus. When I first started my series on fear I was about to publish a guest post on overcoming the fear of death. I woke up suddenly in the middle of the night and felt an evil presence in my room with a sound so deep and dark I knew it was Satan. I’ve always hesitated to share this because this is not a normal kind of experience for most people or me.
But I was not afraid of it. For one, I know that believers who are indwelled with the Holy Spirit cannot be possessed by the devil. But they can be influenced by Him. I knew exactly why this darkness was trying to scare me and I also knew that Jesus is all-powerful.
I shouted out loud, “I am NOT afraid of you, in the name of Jesus go away!” and instantaneously, that presence left my room. I know that Satan uses death to destroy our faith in God and He did not want me sharing about the hope of heaven.
I’ve talked to many Christian bloggers and found out they get attacked in the topics they write about. Usually, it happens right before I’m about to publish something and I feel like a hypocrite because I’m struggling in that very area.
Keeping Up Our Blog Usually Costs us More Money Than We Make
There are a lot of posts out there on how to make money blogging. Although there are some wonderful Christian bloggers who are business savvy and have managed to make a steady income, the truth is, most bloggers I know would be happy if they could just cover a portion of the cost of keeping up a blog.
That’s ok with me because my main goal and passion is to write as a ministry. But it is nice when an affiliate sale comes in and covers some of my blog upkeep.
We May Struggle With Unsubscribes
When I first started writing heartfelt posts and saw unsubscribes in my inbox I wondered what I was doing wrong. Deep down, an unsubscribe kind of feels like an unfriend on FB. I’ve talked to other bloggers who have struggled with this too. We all come to the point where we realize we only want readers who really want to be there. People lead busy lives and often don’t want their inbox flooded with emails, and we can all understand that. Sometimes we have to grow thick skin and remember to keep on keeping on.
We Love Our Readers
I’ve seen so many bloggers come so close to giving up their blog. That is, until they receive a comment from a reader who felt God led them to a specific post and it really helped them. It seems like God gives us that extra encouragement at just the right time. So if you read a post/email and it really ministers to you, don’t be shy about letting the blogger know in the comment section. It just may be the one comment that prevents them from giving up.
I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read this post. It is truly an honor to live in a world where we have the freedom to share Jesus.
If you love to write, then pray about starting a blog as a ministry.
If you are a blogger what is one thing you wish people knew about you? What do you struggle with?
Hope*Writer’s is one of my favorite writing groups! Every Tuesday you’ll hear from a Tuesday Teacher. These are accessible in the website. The Facebook group is also very active. Check out this amazing list of Tuesday teachers available right now in the Hope Library:
| Alicia Mey Kasen (marketing director, Zondervan) Alli Worthington (author, Fierce Faith) Ann Voskamp (author, NYT bestselling author of One Thousand Gifts) Andrea Doering (editor, Revell Books) Anna LeBaron (book launch manager, author The Polygamist’s Daughter) Amber C. Haines (author, Wild in the Hollow) Carolyn McCready (editor, Zondervan) Carolyn Starr Rose (children’s author) Cindy Bunch (editor, InterVarsity Press) Claire Diaz-Ortiz (author and entrepreneur) Chad Allen (editor, Baker Books) Deidra Riggs (author, One) Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith (author, Sacred Rest) Ed Cyzewski (author, Pray, Write, Grow) Erin Loechner (author, Chasing Slow) Hilary Yancey (author) Ian Cron (author and Enneagram teacher, The Road Back to You) Jamie Ivey (author and host of The Happy Hour podcast) Jenni Burke (literary agent, D.C. Jacobson) Jennie Nash (book coach) Jennifer Allwood (blogger + podcast host) Jennifer Dukes Lee (author, The Happiness Dare + speaker) Jessica Turner (writer, entrepreneur) Joseph Michael (Scrivener coach) Kendra Adachi (teacher and writer, The Lazy Genius Collective) Kristen Strong (author, Girl Meets Change) Lisa-Jo Baker (author, Never Unfriended) Marion Roach Smith (author, The Memoir Project) Mark Lane (cover design, Tyndale House) Melanie Shankle (NYT bestselling author) Mike Kim (marketing consultant) Rachelle Gardner (literary agent, Books & Such) Ruth Chou Simons (author, Gracelaced) Seth Haines (author, Coming Clean) Stephanie Smith (editor, Zondervan) Tsh Oxenreider (author, At Home in the World) Twila Bennett (marketing consultant) Tim Grahl (book launch marketer) |
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I had a hard time calling myself a writer at first. But God has shown me I don’t need to shrink back from calling myself a writer. In fact, I love being able to call myself a Hope Writer. That is my heart. I want to write about the hope I find in Christ. And being in community with those who have the same heart, means the world to me. Interacting with other Hope Writers, bloggers and authors has been such a blessing. I feel like I have a backstage pass as I see other authors get published and learn the behind the scenes of a writer’s life. If you are a blogger or have any desire to write a book someday–this is the group to be a part of. I’ve had opportunities to be in small groups called a Hope Circles where I’ve learned about the process of writing a book proposal. I’ve received opportunities to be on book launch teams where I’ve learned so much. The FB group is always active and the founders very involved and helpful. I’m pretty picky about where I spend my money, but this group is honestly a no brainer for me.
Hello there! I'm Valerie, a mom of four and wife of 27 years. My writing inspires others to cultivate courageous faith and find solace in trusting God, especially in moments of fear and uncertainty. Join me on this adventure as we explore the beauty of trusting God when we are afraid. 
Hey Valerie,
You have composed a significant and legitimate post. Thanks much for sharing your experience! It’s actually a consolation to me that we’re all on this struggle together! God bless us!
I’m so glad this post encouraged you. It’s always nice to know we aren’t alone.
I’m smack in the middle of a discouragement season because I only write when I sense the topic is something God wants written. Perhaps the Halleluiah Chorus plays in heaven when we hit publish—we just can’t hear it. I had a flurry of new subscribers with just as many leaving. Sometimes I’m onboard with God in that this isn’t about me – then I’ll lapse and wonder where are all the readers. I post on FB and Quora regularly and Pinterest sorta kinda with infrequent posts on Google+. On days when there are 40 plus readers on the blog site, I’m thrilled but that’s such a tiny readership that I’m embarrassed to do so little for Christ. Yep, I’ve thought about throwing in the towel many times. I have a one-year blog anniversary fast approaching and growth is agonizingly slow. Hope fades.
Betsy, first of all congrats on your one-year blog anniversary! It’s hard work! I’m so sorry you are in a period of discouragement. When my numbers are discouraging, I try and remember my mission. It helps to come up with a mission statement about why you write. It’s kept me from giving up. I also have to ask myself if I would be happy “not writing.” And usually after giving myself a break, I gain back my love for blogging and my desire comes back. It’s not for everyone, and I believe God will lead you in the direction that’s best for you. Thank you so much for commenting.
I’m so thankful that I came across this today. I have been writing for about a year, mostly out of obedience, and not necessarily because of my love for writing. I am hoping that love will follow obedience. Seeing myself here gave me such encouragement! I didn’t know other people felt this way. Thank you for being honest and sharing your heart with us.
They say feelings often come after obedience and action. I’m so glad you felt connected with the message to know you are not alone!
Thanks for sharing your heart in this post. The next time I feel like throwing in the towel and give up blogging, I will read this again for an injection of encouragement.
I’m glad this was an encouragement to you. Don’t throw in that towel! Blessings Denise!
Such a beautiful message of encouragement to us bloggers, Valerie! I laughed at how many things I resonated with, especially the AA meeting-style of saying “I am a writer.” I have a hard time saying that, too, but yes, I am a writer. Thanks for this!
I’m glad you felt the same!
I love this, Valerie! Thanks for sharing on Grace and Truth. I’ve shared on my FB page.
Thank you for sharing!
Every word you wrote, every example you gave resonates truth. Thanks for the encouragement.
Thank you for your kind words!
Valerie,
Thank you for shedding some light on blogging. I don’t feel so alone. However, I am way over the 3 hours and 16 minutes. That is where I struggle, I need to speed it up. Thank you also for the tip to get our blogs to https. I still need to do that.
Maree
Well if it makes you feel any better, I work on my posts for weeks at a time. I like to go back and edit them with fresh eyes. So I’m usually working on a few at a time.
Valerie, I really like the heart of this message…we are still learning, and we’re all on this journey together!
Thank you Crystal! I love that we all support each other!
Ahhhhhhh …. yes yes and yes. So much here that resonates, Valerie ♥ You are such a gift, my friend! Thank you for blessing me so!
Hugs,
Lori
Thank you, Lori. You are a blessing!
Valerie, I’ve been blogging for three years. One thing I used to struggle with was trying to reconcile my personality and what I believe to be my calling with the conventional wisdom about what makes a blog successful. I quit looking at my stats entirely about a year ago, and I think I’ve been most comfortable in my “blogger skin” since then. I’ve thought about quitting and have wondered why I’m even doing it occasionally, but during the few weeks when I’ve been too busy to post, I’ve really missed it. You describe the journey so well, and I’m glad you have persevered through all the challenges that come with blogging!
Lois, I know exactly what you mean by those challenges. You are such an excellent writer and your writing can stand alone. So keep on posting because I know whenever I see your image in a link-up, your post is going to be a good one.
So spot on! Thanks for sharing these words that let me know I’m not alone! Blessings!
Thank you Liz!
You are so right…about everything you said! I just celebrated my one year blogging anniversary last week and wow has this last year been a trip! Satan has been after me in every way imaginable, I have spent way more money than I should getting off the ground, I had to learn what I wasting my personal time with and so much more. I feel like I am just starting to get the swing of things and am looking forward to a year of growth. Thank you for sharing your experience! What an encouragement!
Hi Summer, Congratulations on one year of blogging. I think the first year is the hardest because you’re trying to learn so many different things at once. And the learning never stops It’s sure a blessing to walk along side each other in ministry.
Yes, that’s definitely how it feels. It’s so strange how it’s really something that people outside of blogging just don’t (and can’t, really) get. Your story of spiritual attack sounds so scary to me. Please pray for me that I have the strength not to be afraid as Satan tries to discourage and frighten me.
Hi Bethany, I’m so sorry. I didn’t want for my story to frighten anyone. God is so much more powerful than Satan. And I don’t believe God would have allowed this if I was not ready, I was walking through a personal time of facing fear and I believe God was showing me how much strength and majesty are in just the power of saying the name of Jesus. I was even surprised that instead of cowering in fear I felt angry and empowered by the truth of who Jesus was and I wasn’t afraid, because greater is the one who is in us. Ephesians 1:19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
So true! I’ve been blogging for almost a decade and it’s evolved so much over that time. I often wonder if that plays into bloggers giving up. They finally start to see progress, and then the rules change and they are back to square one.
Congrats on a decade of blogging Heather! That’s awesome. It’s so hard to keep up with the changes in social media. There’s always so much to learn! I’m so glad you have stuck with it all these years.
Thank you Valerie! I still refer to myself as a new blogger due to the learning curve. It seems there is always something to learn. Your words are encouraging and I am grateful to know I am not alone on this journey!
Oh yes! The learning never stops. It’s challenging and exciting all at the same time. I’m so blessed and happy to meet wonderful women like you on this path. Thank you for always being so kind and visiting here.
Valerie, thank you for sharing your heart here. I can relate to every single one of these. This first year has been so difficult and it’s easy to feel alone, but not when I read words like these. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. I’m coming back tonight to take another read and plan to print this out and keep it for encouragement when things get hard.
Hi Leslie, I’m so glad this encouraged you. It’s such a joy and blessing to meet women like you on this journey. Keep up the hard work. Blessings to you and your ministry.
Valerie, thanks for sharing your heart for reaching others for Christ! It’s an encouragement to me the way you described what it’s like to be a Christian blogger. I feel the same way! God bless you and your ministry!
Hi Julie, Thank you for your kind words. It’s so nice to know there are so many wonderful Christian bloggers who support each other. Blessings to you and your ministry.
Well said, I have only been blogging for 3 months, and it is so good to know that others have the same struggles. It encourages me to keep going, because blogging was not my idea – it was God’s plan for me. Many Thanks! 8)
Awesome, that you are following God’s plan for you. Congratulations on your blog! He will guide you every step of the way. And I’m sure you will discover if you already haven’t that other bloggers are some of the nicest people you will ever get to know. They are for you!
Such a good post, Valerie! It takes me so much longer than the average to write a post because the attacks are so thick. (And also my kids interrupt) Thanks for writing this. It’s good to not feel alone on these points.
I work on mine for weeks! I like to write and then come back to read days later with a fresh mind so I can see mistakes easier.
Yes, this!!!! You put our journey perfectly! Thank you so much, Valerie! It’s great encouragement for those of us who love what we do but still wonder how God can use us in spite of our weaknesses and insecurities. Blessings!!!
Thank you Deb! I’m so glad other bloggers are relating and humbled that God uses us in spite of ourselves. He is so good!
Valerie, you took the words out of my mouth. Well stated and beautifully articulated. Thank you for your heartfelt honesty in this post. I agree with you on so many levels. I think one of the hardest things for myself as a “writer/author” are those moments of silence from family and friends. I have to remind myself that even though I may not receive the expected support, God is always affirming His calling for me. My goal is to glorify Him via my writing.and to turn eyes and hearts to Christ. Thank you for your willingness to share your heart. May God continue to strengthen and bless you in your ministry while serving Him. Be well, friend.
” God is always affirming His calling for me. My goal is to glorify Him via my writing.and to turn eyes and hearts to Christ.” Yes, to this Horace! You are an inspiration to me and so many others. God bless you friend!
I absolutely agree with the last point. There have been multiple times when I have questioned if all the work I put into my blog is even worth it. That usually is the time a reader will email or comment about how a post was meaningful. It is such a blessing to hear from my readers!
Isn’t it such a blessing? I love hearing from readers!
This is a great and honest post, Valerie. Thanks for sharing and I agree. I pinned this to my blog tips board and hope others find it. I am drawn to transparent things like this. I know it can be daunting sharing certain details, and I realize some things aren’t meant to be shared…but oh how great it is when we are called to and obey and it helps free another person from something they may be bound up in. God bless you!
Meghan, thank you for sharing this and for your kind comment!
Valerie, you are a sweetheart. I can relate to everything you said. Thank you for your honesty and openness. I laughed when you said you weren’t sure you liked the sound of the word “blogger”. I’ve never liked the word either! Yet, here we are ‘Bloggers’! Who would have thought growing up we would be calling ourselves that. Or ‘Googling’ things, for that matter!
I do prefer the title ‘writer’, but I don’t feel worthy of such a grand title. Maybe someday I can say with confidence “I’m a writer”. But I am thankful that God had given me this great opportunity to reach people I never would otherwise. Just yesterday, I had views from China, Bulgaria, Zambia, Singapore, South Korea, and many other places I’ll never visit in my lifetime. What an honor! Yes, there will be spiritual attacks. But greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Keep up the good work, my friend. ❤
Gleniece you are just a person who always blesses others with your encouragement! Ha, I’ve never told anybody I don’t really like the sound of the word “blogger” (kind of like I’ve never told anyone I like the smell of a new book) but I’m glad I’m not alone! Amazing–China, Bulgaria and all those places! Hearing that gives me chills and perspective.
How true this is!
My sister and I blog together and one of the intangible benefits of the blog is that it brings us together and gets us talking together more. We find that we think about certain topics and how they’d be useful for our audience and how God leads us to write certain topics.
One of my favorite aspects of writing is when it just…flows. Sometimes, writing isn’t easy. You feel challenged with every additional word. But other times, (my favorite times) the words seem to flow right out. I feel like those times are the times I know I’m doing what God wanted me to do in life. Money, or no money.
Thank you for such an honest, nicely-written post.
Hi Eryn, How exciting to be able to write with your sister. I love your words, “I know i”m doing what God wanted me to do in life money, or no money.”
Thank you for your kind words!
Oh, friend, this is all so relevant and so true. Thanks for saying it out loud!
Hi Michele, Thank you for your ministry!
Thank you so much for sharing your stories and ministry. I’m in a transitional phase in my life, God has put me on a great journey, I’m not sure what or where to go next. I have a wonderful testimaent to share but lack the confidence. I have never been an ‘ in your face’ Christian, I suppose I’m more of a silent witness, those who know me know of my faith. God has put me thru a lot and I have never lost hope or sight of him. I just do not know where to go next. I would love to share my story, please pray for guidance for the rest of my journey, in hopes for,me to,share it with all!
Thank you kindly!
Love and many blessings to whoever reads this!?
Oh Diana, thank you for sharing your heart here. It is very scary sharing sometimes and God always gives discernment on how to go about it. Are you thinking about starting a blog? I’m praying for God to lead and guide you where to go. I’m so glad you stopped by.
Again, such a great post, Valerie! Every blogger can relate to this! It’s all true… if you can stick out the first year, then most likely you will do this a lifetime. And I also have experienced that akward moment after bringing up my blog to friends and family. Also, thanks for sharing your testimony with the encounter you had that one night. I need to be more aware of myself in the posts I write and if any heaviness comes on me because of what I’m preaching. You really do have an awesome ministry here, Valerie, and you definitely are an inspiration to me!
Denise, thank you! You always bring me such encouragement and I really appreciate your kind words. It’s always nice to know others relate to you and have felt the same things.