Writing with Courage and Faith
Writing and publishing our words for others to read in any format—blog post, Instagram caption, podcast episode, or book—are courageous acts of faith. How so? We are bravely trusting God that He will take our words and use them to glorify Himself and reach others. It takes courage to be vulnerable and share the topics we’re passionate about. Sometimes we’re opening up and sharing personal aspects of our stories, hoping that those who read will benefit from them and not reject us.
It also takes courage to leave our comfort zones and try new things. For many of us, the technology side of writing involves learning a lot of new skills. How do I build a website? Start an email list? How do I connect my lead magnet to my email list? Marketing our work so that it reaches our intended reader is frequently uncomfortable or awkward. It all takes courage and faith.
Walking with Jesus also takes courage and faith. Learning new things such as how to share our faith or study the Bible for ourselves can feel new and uncomfortable. God frequently asks us to serve Him in ways we may or may not be used to, such as forgiving others or loving our enemies.
The Bible has a lot to say about overcoming fear and acting with courage.
Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
It stands out to me in these two verses that the reason we are not to fear and instead be courageous is that God goes with us. As we go through life, walking with God and using our writing to encourage others and build up the Body of Christ, we’re not alone. God goes with us.
How often have you been in a new situation, but found comfort in doing it with a friend along for the ride? Even if that friend is no more knowledgeable than you are in doing whatever it is, it’s comforting not to be alone. How much more comfort can we have knowing that the God of the Universe, who knows ALL things, goes with us? He knows how email service providers work and what good website design looks like. He knows the best word to use and how to reach our readers with our message. And He is with us every moment.
Another perspective I have found helpful is to “Do it scared”. Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s doing the thing even when you feel fear. As we step out in faith, despite feeling nervous, we will grow in confidence.
How can we grow in this area of courage and faith, both in our writing and our relationship with God?
First, remember that you’re not alone. God goes with you. His presence is with you every moment of every day, whether you recognize that or not. Consider radio stations. All the radio waves for all the radio stations available in your geographic area are flying through the room where you are right now. Because they’re invisible and silent, you’re not aware of them. The only way to hear a specific radio station is to have a receiver tuned to that station. When you tune to the station you’re interested in, then it becomes audible.
Living in God’s presence is similar in concept. He is with you because He is everywhere all the time, but we’re not always “tuned in”. One way of understanding Paul’s command in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing” is to be constantly tuned in to God’s presence with us—not constantly talking to Him, but moment-by-moment living aware of His presence with us and His availability to help us.
As you write that post, struggle with that technology, or click “submit” on that article, acknowledge that God is with you.
Secondly, do whatever is next in faith, even if you’re fearful. Trust that God will use it however He wants to, in a way that glorifies Him and helps others. Fear is a normal reaction to doing something new and unknown. Acknowledge that, and then do it anyway.
What is God asking you to do, even if it’s scary? Is there a writing project to start or finish, a new ministry to get involved in, or someone who needs to hear about Jesus from you? Acknowledge God’s presence with and do it scared.
If you’d like to learn more about the faulty, unbiblical mindsets that Christian writers wrestle with, take a look at the “Christian Writers’ Mindset Makeover”. You’ll learn about the grain of truth that hides in each mindset and how that truth gets twisted into a lie. I also provide the antidote for that lie and journaling prompts to help you sort through how it may be holding you back.