Guarding Your Heart as a Christian Substack Writer
A short guide from a guy who’s learning the hard way
Hey friends! I have been writing on Substack on theology, discipleship, spiritual formation, and the Christian life for a little over a year now.
I wanted to share some lessons I’ve learned along the way about how to guard your heart through the process of writing for others on this platform.
Turn. Off. Notifications. Seriously. The dopamine isn’t worth it. I used to get a little hit of excitement every time someone liked a post… but it started to feel like I was writing for that little ping. My ADHD was going wild. That’s a fast track to anxiety and burnout. Your heart doesn’t need constant performance reviews from the algorithm!
Don’t post out of pressure. You don’t owe anyone consistency if it costs your soul. You’re not running a brand. You’re sharing bread with other beggars just like you! Write when you have something worth saying… something that could help someone else make it through their week.
Love the readers you already have! Everyone’s chasing growth, but the reality is it’s extremely rare to be able to monetize this sort of thing enough to replace your day job. What if your “success” isn’t in gaining followers, but in serving them? You’ve got real people reading your stuff, even if they’re quiet. Water those roots. Don’t chase the crowd… cultivate your corner.
Know when to log off. It’s okay to disappear for a while. Jesus literally ghosted crowds to pray and rest. You can too. Silence is sacred. Your audience will survive. I personally learn much more from spiritually and emotionally healthy leaders than leaders who I can tell are desperate to stay relevant.
Don’t use writing to prove you matter. I know the feeling: “If this post blows up, maybe I’m not wasting my life.” That’s not where identity comes from. You’re already loved. You don’t have to earn it. Write from that truth, not for it!
Let God be your editor. Before hitting “publish,” pause. Ask Him, “Is this helpful? Honest? Humble?” Sometimes the post you’re most hyped on isn’t the one people need. And sometimes the quiet, raw ones are the most healing.
Laugh at yourself often. You’re going to say things weird. You’re going to overshare. You will deal with imposter syndrome. It’s okay. You’re human. Don’t take yourself so seriously that you can’t enjoy the process!
Make the choice to not view anyone else on Substack as competitors for the attention of others. I see us as a community of thinkers, encouragers, & helpers. We write to serve others. We write because we need it too.
Trust that God, not the algorithm, will bring the right people to what you share… and that He’ll lead you to the words you need to read as well!
Writing for others is sacred.
But your heart is even more sacred.
Guard it well!
If this work has fed you, challenged you, or pushed you closer to Jesus, then I need your help!
I’m Aaron, a former long-time church staff pastor now doing ministry out in the wild. Since 2018, I’ve been building GoodLion Ministries to help young adults follow Jesus deeply in a post-modern, post-Christian age that pulls them in a thousand directions.
On Sunday evenings, I lead the GoodLion School of Discipleship, a multi-year formation program where young adults wrestle with Scripture, ask hard questions, and build a faith that can handle doubt and chaos. Through this work, I watch students move from confusion to clarity, from fear to faithfulness, from being spiritually adrift to knowing how to walk with Jesus in real life.
I also write here on Substack, mentor young leaders, and create resources for people who want substance over hype.
Our mission is simple: We believe in Jesus, the King who is not safe but is very good. We’re here for the doubters, the deconstructors, the burnt-out ministers, the church kids haunted by legalism, and anyone tired of shallow faith.
Here’s the reality: I’m bivocational. For years, I’ve supported my family through freelance work while building this ministry in every spare hour I can find. My goal is to transition to doing this work full time so I can expand the School, write more, travel to teach, raise up more leaders, and serve every single person who need what GoodLion offers.
This is my life’s work. For nearly 20 years, I’ve been helping Gen Z learn to think deeply, wrestle honestly, and follow Jesus in a world that tries to pull them apart.
If you believe this work matters, I invite you partner with me! This is not a side hustle for me. This is a mission. Even $10/month helps me teach more, write more, and disciple more young adults who genuinely need it.
👉 Support GoodLion Ministries Here
Thank you for walking with me.
– Aaron
Links
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🎓 GoodLion School of Discipleship
Words I needed to hear! Also, I try to remind myself that massive national acclaim as an author is probably more of a curse that God is defending me from than it is a prize to be pursued. I'm not sure I could write what I do if all eyes were on me.
That said, seeing a new subscriber here and there does cheer me up! 😇
As someone who's just beginning to write and trying to find my real voice, this is incredibly grounding. I'm grappling with these very struggles and temptations, so hearing you acknowledge them and guide us through with wisdom was perfectly timed. Truly the Holy Spirit working -- thank you for sharing what you've learned with those of us just wading in.