Ep 91 God's Call to a Reluctant Writer with Vaneetha Risner

How do you write honestly about pain, without despair, and with real gospel hope? In this episode of The Writers’ Bloc Podcast, Vaneetha Rendall Risner shares her journey from childhood polio and profound loss to a ministry of writing that comforts the suffering. We talk about lament, journaling, discernment about what (and when) to share, and how God often calls “reluctant writers” to faithful words.Key takeaways for writersLament is candid grief with trust—bring your full heart to God and let the turn to praise arise honestly.Write from processed pain: journal now; publish later.Measure faithfulness, not metrics. Obedience beats “virality.”Your plain, unadorned voice can be precisely the vessel God uses.Resources mentionedScripture: John 9; Romans 8:28; the Psalms of lamentOn lament: Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark VroegopMentors referenced: John Piper; Joni Eareckson Tada; Ann Voskamp; Paul TrippWriting tool: Dragon NaturallySpeaking (voice-to-text)Connect with VaneethaWebsite: vaneetha.com (aka “Dance in the Rain”)Books: Watching for the Morning (devotional); Walking Through Fire (memoir); The Scars That Have Shaped Me; This Was Never the Plan (forthcoming, April 1)Stay connected with The Writers’ BlocSubscribe for more conversations that help you grow in the art and heart of writing.Share this episode with a friend who’s writing through hard places.Want community and craft support? Join us inside The Writers’ Bloc. If this episode encouraged you, drop a comment with a one-sentence lament or prayer let’s bear one another’s burdens and point each other back to Christ. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit writersblocpod.substack.com/subscribe