You ever have those days when you are discouraged and stressed about your blog? Either your stats have plummeted, or people haven’t been responding as much and let’s not get started on Facebook… Yeah, me too.
It’s easy to let the snarky comments get to you or to allow yourself to be torn up inside about the rude emails about how wrong you were for pouring out your heart.
Blogging is hard. Anything you really love to do, is going to be hard.
There will always be the days when you feel like the worst blogger ever, and then there’s perspective.
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Some of you may know that I published my first book this year and am selling it on Amazon. I’ve gotten a low review here and there and I’ll be honest, it’s hard not to take that personally.
Then I wrote a controversial post and some one attacked me deeper on my blog than I’ve ever been attacked. They cussed me out multiple times and the things they said I couldn’t even let stand on my blog, so I deleted it (first time I’ve ever deleted a comment that wasn’t spam).
It’s so hard not to let it touch your heart when things like that happen. Although I’m getting better about it, I’m still human and it gets to me, and always leaves me feeling weak, like I should be bigger than that.
A few weeks ago I went to an Andrew Peterson concert (this is going somewhere, I promise). He’s one of my absolute favorite singers, and he’s just generally awesome. He shared this song at the end of the night and it was just perfectly what I needed to hear. But the story behind it, was priceless.
He wrote this song, after getting a negative “1 star” review on one of his CDs. He shared how it tore him up inside and ruined his entire day, and at the end of the day he was just so mad at himself that he had let some stranger’s opinion of him wreck his day, so he went down to his studio and wrote this song in the middle of the night.
It’s so easy to cash in these chips on my shoulder
So easy to lose this old tongue like a tiger
It’s easy to let all this bitterness smolder
Just to hide it away like a cigarette lighterIt’s easy to curse and to hurt, and to hinder
It’s easy to not have the heart to remember
That I am a priest and a prince
In the Kingdom of God
First off, wow, this guy I admire so much for his work and he has this exact same struggle that I do? That makes me feel a bit better, and then, he shared his song. And I cried.
The song is called fool with a fancy guitar and it’s from his album Counting Stars (I highly recommend the entire CD). The beauty in the song could apply to any one, in any stage of life. But when looking at it from the perspective of a songwriter, or artist or writer who is bogged down by the comments of others, it becomes that much more beautiful. At the end of the song he sings:
But if it’s true that you gathered my sin in your hand
And you cast it as far as the east is from the west
If it’s true that you put on the flesh of a man
And you walked in my shoes through the shadow of deathIf it’s true that you dwell in the halls of my heart
Then I’m not just a fool with a fancy guitar
No, I am a priest and a prince in the Kingdom of God
That is the perspective that we must keep. When the stats, and the stresses all fall away and the wayword commenters are silenced, what truly matters is the way that God sees us. And loves us. And forgives us.
Blogs are just on the side, Christ’s beauty, His grace, is everything.
If you want to join in discussions about all things blogging and encouragement we invite you to our Facebook group! There is always a fun discussion going on there and we’d love to have you come be a part of it!
Megen Duffy says
Those comments always seem to come when you’re low anyway. I lost another job, my dad is sick, I’m depressed, and in general things are feeling sucky, and my boyfriend randomly and unexpectedly broke up with me. Then a troll posted about how my blog sucks and I shouldn’t be a nurse anymore. Because I was down anyway, I thought, “maybe I shouldn’t.” But as posts like this remind me, you can’t let the bastards get you down. I do get irritated when that stuff bugs me, though.
Paula says
Those days are the worst! I’m so glad this was an encouragement though <3
Hata Trbonja says
I just found your blog a few weeks ago and I would be lost without it. There is at least one person who appreciates what you do.
I have been very frustrated with my blog lately and not knowing how to take it to the next level or get further exposure. I feel a bit stuck.
But your blog always points me in the right direction. Thanks so much.
Big hugs from France.
Hata
http://www.chicagotofrance.blogspot.com
Becky says
thank you!! Your words mean so much!!
Ali Gilbert says
GREAT article!! Thanks so much for sharing!! I totally needed to read this today:)
Shante says
Wow! What an amazing story to share