Why Your Writing Business Feels Slow (And What God May Be Doing)

If you’re a Christian writer wondering why your writing business is growing slowly, you’re not alone. Many authors struggle with discouragement when book sales, platform growth, or publishing opportunities don’t happen as quickly as expected. In this article, we’ll explore what Scripture teaches about God’s timing, spiritual growth, and why some seasons of waiting may actually be seasons of preparation.

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Welcome back to another episode! I’m so glad you’re here!

We often talk about proverbial seasons in the Heart for Creatives community, and how it’s important to know what season you’re in regarding your life and business. Because growing your business in alignment with your season will help you operate in a flow that matches the pace the Lord has created you to move in.

That alignment brings more than just financial prosperity and reader engagement. In that alignment, you will discover a level of peace and joy that supersedes all of your expectations. Life feels more vibrant as you deepen the understanding of your kingdom purpose, and you will literally witness the fulfillment of God’s will.

When Christ promised life and life more abundantly in John 10:10, He spoke about more than a temporary ease to our woes. Aligning with God’s will brings us into a place of wholeness, grace, and favor we never imagined possible.

So if you’ve been wrestling with slow growth or you’re frustrated because nothing seems to be growing the way you thought it would, then I’d love for you to scoot on in as we break down the value and importance of being planted at the right time and in the proper season.

My friend, you are not a failure. You may just need a slight spiritual realignment. And I can’t wait to show you how.

Why Slow Growth Doesn’t Mean You’re Failing

We’re continuing in our garden-inspired series today. As promised, I’ll do my best to keep my nerdy self from running wild and word-vomiting my deep research all over you.

In our last episode, we chatted about soil health and why it matters.

The Young Plant That Couldn’t Carry Its Fruit

This time, I’d like us to picture a tender plant. One that’s only a foot or so high with green leaves and full of promise.

For many of us, this is the stage where our businesses are finally visible. We have high hopes, big dreams, and we want to see the fruit. We want blooms to grow, fruit to flow, and success to be tangible.

However, if fruit formed on this particular young, tender plant, the branches would not be strong enough to support the weight. The fruit would overburden the plant, causing it to bow sideways to the point of breaking.

What had started out so promising now leaves the plant broken, and the fruit it had desperately wanted would lie underdeveloped, bruised, or even rotten.

You’ve likely already heard similar advice shared and know the gist of it. Logically, you understand that you need to grow your proverbial stock stronger in order to bear the weight of the fruit.

Why Waiting Feels So Painful

Yet despite knowing that, you still struggle in the waiting. Hope feels too hard when the promises are large and out of reach. And let’s not even mention the level of despondency that takes place when you see others receive their blessings while you’re on the sidelines, wondering what you’re doing wrong.

My friend, if this is you, I want you to know you’re not alone in these feelings. Please do not be ashamed of the heartbreak and the sorrow. Many are right there alongside you, crying out to the Lord with the questions of why.

Why is this so hard?

When will the breakthrough come?

Is my writing or my books ever going to take off?

Will this creative business ever support my family, or is it just another dumpster fire of failed dreams?

If you’re feeling this way, then I want to ask you a question. One that I pray you ponder on with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Are Your Expectations Based on What God Said?

Ask yourself: Are my expectations based on what God said or what I wanted?

It’s a micdrop moment, sure. But this question isn’t meant to be harsh. And the more honest we are with ourselves, the more clearly we’ll be able to see the root causes of our frustrations.

Because our self-willed expectations fuel our impatience and lead us to take control of the very things we were encouraged to surrender.

When We Start Building Without God’s Direction

We then start building our business according to our designs. We’ve taken on projects God never green-lighted. We partner with team members God didn’t send our way.

Instead of operating in the flow of grace and favor, we’re hustling, striving, and sacrificing our sanity for things God never blessed. And then we throw up our hands, wondering why it’s all crumbling at our feet.

This is how our expectations become distorted, and we find ourselves focusing on what God wants to do through us before we understand what He wants to do in us.

We become consumed with the fruit, the platform, the readers, the impact.

But God will always be more interested in the internal condition before focusing on the external harvest.

Which brings us to the process He often walks His children through.

God’s Process for Preparing Christian Writers

When it comes to our growth, there is a process God will always follow.

Step 1: Knowing God Deeply

First, He will want you to know Him. No, I’m not about a loose idea of Him. But to know Him as real. To have an intimate relationship with Him. To the point that nothing and no one will take the truth out of your heart.

Step 2: Refinement and Healing

Then He will want to cleanse, purify, and refine you. For many reasons, but mainly to remove that which is not of Him. To heal you of past trauma, to awaken you into the woman He ordained you to become, and to bring you into a level of wholeness only obtained through Christ Jesus.

Step 3: Strengthening and Equipping

After that, He will strengthen, equip, and settle you. Fortifying you with His grace, power, and glory to do the signs, wonders, and miracles Christ promised in His word.

That may seem deep for those who just want to write books. But, my friend, you aren’t here simply because you want to toss out words that have no lasting value.

We began this journey together because you wanted to make a kingdom impact with your words and creative endeavors.

That is possible through Christ, but it isn’t something that can be rushed. There is a process of yielding, submitting, and surrendering that is required before we can take on the mantles God has prepared for us.

Which means we need to reflect on the root causes of our frustrations, disappointments, and delays.

A Reflection Exercise for Writers Frustrated by Slow Growth

Now, I want us to do an exercise real quick—if you have a few minutes. If you’re driving or in the middle of cooking dinner, circle back to this exercise, because I’m confident you’ll find it helpful.

Take a notebook or a fresh sheet of paper. Then brain-dump everything bothering you about your business’s growth. The frustrations, disappointments, anger, bitterness, loneliness, all of it. Don’t hold anything back. God can handle what you’re bottling up. Trust me. Let it all out.

Questions to Ask When Your Writing Business Feels Stuck

Now, I want you to take what you wrote and reflect on the path that led you to this place. The steps you took. The things you built. What you partnered with. Bring it all to mind and ask yourself: Did this path align with what God told me about my business?

Please note: we’re not cultivating shame or condemnation. We’re asking these questions to bring clarity, understanding, and a breakthrough.

So be courageously honest with yourself. Did your path follow what God said about your business, or is it possible you took things into your own hands to match the timelines you wanted?

If you can tell me, “Desiree, I followed God’s leading for my business. I waited, I was patient, but life still feels like a dumpster fire.” Then, my friend, there’s a strong possibility you’re facing spiritual warfare. I have an episode coming that will speak encouragement into those areas. But in the meantime, send me an email. I’d love to pray with you and for you.

However, if you’re reflecting over your brain-dump of frustrations, cringing because you see the areas where you either jumped ahead, showed impatience, or allowed fear, doubt, and intimidation to whisper to you one too many times.

Then, pull your shoulders back, lift your chin, and own up to it. Repent and dust yourself off, and let’s keep trying.

No one will ever walk this journey perfectly. We all make mistakes. We all stumble. We all throw epic tantrums that put even the wildest toddler to shame. I am chief among them.

But what’s stopping us from repenting and getting back up? Nothing except ourselves or the lies the enemy has told us.

Yet, even still, God is right there ready to give us His strength for us to do what seems impossible.

There’s a reason God’s mercies are new every morning.

Grab your Bible when you can and sit in Lamentations 3:22-24, and may the Holy Spirit minister to those raw places of your heart.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

“Therefore I hope in Him!”

How to Move Forward When Growth Feels Slow

All right, my friend. So far, we’ve discussed our expectations versus God’s processes, examined our frustrations, and sought God’s grace and mercy.

How do we take what we’ve discussed and move forward in regard to our business’s growth? I’m so glad you asked.

Make Peace with God’s Timeline

First: we need to make peace with where God has us and the timeline He has designed.

Even if you don’t know the full scope of what God has planned for you and your writing journey, that doesn’t mean He won’t communicate His will for your life. But we have to be the ones willing to listen and obey even when His directions take us to uncharted, unfamiliar, and uncomfortable places.

Surrendering Control of Your Writing Business

Next: we need to be humble and decide for ourselves if we’re going to surrender to God’s will.

1 Peter 2:9-10 says,

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

If we claim that we are set apart, that we’ve given God full liberty over our writing and our businesses, then why do we regularly wrestle control out of His hands?

If we say God is the CEO, then let’s be careful we aren’t booting Him out of His seat at the table. Yeah?

Then once we’ve readjusted those mindsets and cleared our thinking, let’s revisit what God said about your writing and your business.

Hearing God’s Voice for Your Writing Journey

And if you don’t know where to begin when it comes to hearing from God, it all starts with an honest heart-to-heart with the Lord.

Conversing with God is easier than we realize, and it begins with His word.

Trust me, He will not make it hard to know Him since He wants to be known by you so much.

Start with that conversation—journal it out if you need to. You may not know all the pieces, but when you sit and ask for wisdom—wholeheartedly, faith-believing—God will speak. He will help you understand His will for your life.

In the Bible, there are two Greek words used for the word of God. There’s the logos word, which is the written, objective Word of God. And there is also the rhema word—the living, active, personally revealed, spoken word of God.

This rhema word is what we need spoken over our business, because that will give us purpose, drive, direction, vision, etc. And it is a word that can only come through God. His word will be what guides you.

You may not see the full picture in the beginning, but if you cling to Him and His word, then you will not veer off course.

I’m glad we discussed those mindsets and cleared the air on how to move forward.

Maybe You’re Trying to Become the Wrong Plant

Now, let’s circle back to our garden illustration and the young, tender plant.

It’s important to address the mental clutter and spiritual weights. Because for us to really apply our garden analogy, we need to understand the type of plant that we are.

Not one we’ve determined for ourselves. But one connected to the very chemical makeup of our being.

We Can Say We’re a Rose When God Is Growing a Lily

We can say we’re a rose when in fact, God is growing a lily.

We may choose to be a robust vine when in reality, God needs a medicinal herb for healing others.

See where I’m going with this?

Many writers aren’t struggling because they’re failing. They’re struggling because they’re trying to become something different than what God is growing.

This reinforces the importance of seeking wisdom and clarity from the Lord. That clarity will help us have proper expectations.

Some plants shoot up quickly, like lettuce, but then bolt and turn bitter when temperatures get too hot.

Some plants, like tomatoes, can be prolific and bear lots of fruit. But it is susceptible to diseases and will shrivel and die the moment a bit of frost touches it.

Some plants will even act as a pest crop to protect other plants in the garden.

Most garden staples are well-known and do a great job of feeding and nourishing others. There are thousands of varieties and so many possibilities for what could take place in this beautiful garden.

But here’s where my heart gets moved. Because not everyone is meant for quick, routine plant cycles.

Some Callings Require Longer Seasons of Preparation

Some are destined to build something so much bigger than themselves, and their callings require longer seasons of preparation for the weight they’ll eventually carry. Which means that young, tender plants will take years to grow into maturity and even a few more years before they produce consistent fruit.

The Writers God Is Growing Into Trees

These ones are not small plants. They’re trees. Trees that become havens, sources of shade and comfort, nourishment, healing, protection, etc.

Trees of Righteousness: A Biblical Picture of Purpose

Here are a few scriptures I’d love to share with you as we wrap things up today:

Ezekiel 47:12

Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.

Isaiah 61:1-3

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,

Because the Lord has anointed Me

To preach good tidings to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives,

And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn,

To console those who mourn in Zion,

To give them beauty for ashes,

The oil of joy for mourning,

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

That they may be called trees of righteousness,

The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Who God says you are is exactly who the Kingdom needs you to be. And wherever you are on your journey, I encourage you to give yourself the permission to lean in and be invested in your specific growing process.

I don’t like the spotlight, but I need to share something for those who resonate with this bit right here.

Being chosen to be shaped as a tree stinks. LOL. I’m not gonna lie. What you see of me (at the time of this recording), from the deep healing to learning the rhythms of God’s grace, has been 8 years in the making.

I’ve quit writing and given up more times than I care to admit. So I can testify that the waiting is the hardest part.

However … the journey is worth it. Hands down. No questions asked. Jesus is always worth it.

P.S. Guess who’s on track and finishing drafts for new books? Your girl, right here!

Three Ways to Endure the Waiting Season

Because the waiting is hard, here are some key takeaways to help you endure the seasons of waiting:

1. Deepen Your Intimacy with God

Worship and deep intimacy in the Lord. His strength alone will carry you through. You cannot endure alone, but you can endure through Him.

2. Be Faithful with Today’s Assignment

Be faithful in the little. Complete the assignments you’re being given today while you’re waiting for the more to come.

3. Let God Shape Your Character

Lean into the personal journey, being courageously raw and vulnerable before the Lord. God is shaping your character and your integrity. It’s hard, and even painful at times. But it will be worth it.

And when you see how God shaped you during the waiting, you will stand in awe and wonder at what He is capable of.

You may not understand why things had to be the way that they did in the waiting. But you will.

There is a level of faith and dependency upon the Lord that is cultivated and established in these seasons.

Trust the Master Gardener

The Master Gardener—God, our Father—is skilled to know exactly where we need to be placed, the length of time we need to be there, and our unique seasons for us to thrive.

God wants you to bear much fruit. It is through your fruit that He is glorified (reference John 15:1-8). However, there is a process in order to get there. God will be more invested in your character than your comfort.

Final Encouragement for Christian Writers in a Waiting Season

As we come to a close, I’d love for us to sit in Psalm 32:8-9 for a moment.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will guide you with My eye.

Do not be like the horse or like the mule,

Which have no understanding,

Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,

Else they will not come near you.

When I surrendered my writing unto the Lord, I made the commitment to be a voice for His glory. To do that well means God shouldn’t have to force me to remain at His side.

He shouldn’t have to tug at my like I had a perpetual wayward heart. I should desire to remain with Him and abide in Him.

I’d love to encourage you to sit with your paper from the exercise we did and choose one thing that can come back into alignment with what God has spoken regarding your writing.

And if you need some accountability or a friendly ear, send me an email. I’d love to cheer you on.

You can do this. Be courageous. Be patient. Dare to dream again. And remember Jeremiah 17:7:

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

And whose hope is the Lord.

The Lord Himself is your hope.

Continue the Conversation

I loved having you here, and I pray this episode ministered to your heart.

May the Holy Spirit breathe a fresh wind of hope and inspiration upon you. If you know someone who’d be blessed by this encouragement, do them a solid and send them a link to this episode.

Have a question or need prayer? I’d love to hear from you. Send me an email and share what’s on your heart.

For more encouragement, subscribe to my newsletter where I send biweekly inspiration and practical guidance for Christian women writers seeking sustainable, grace-filled creative rhythms.

You are a gem, and I can’t wait to catch you in the next episode.

Until then, happy writing, and enjoy the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my writing business feel stuck?

Sometimes slow growth isn’t failure. God may be using a season of preparation to strengthen your character, clarify your calling, and deepen your dependence on Him.

How do I know if I’m following God’s plan for my writing?

Start by seeking Him through prayer, Scripture, and honest conversation. God’s direction often becomes clearer as we walk in obedience with the assignments He’s already placed before us.

What should Christian writers do while waiting for growth?

Focus on intimacy with God, faithfulness in today’s assignment, and allowing Him to shape your character during the process.