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 writers



Lament 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 mentioned



Scripture: John 9; Romans 8:28 ; the Psalms of lament



On lament: Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop



Mentors referenced: John Piper; Joni Eareckson Tada; Ann Voskamp; Paul Tripp



Writing tool: Dragon NaturallySpeaking (voice-to-text)



Connect with Vaneetha



Website: 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)



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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.