Rise and Write: Overcoming 3 Common Obstacles Christian Writers FaceNäide

Obstacle 2: Break Through Insecurity as a Writer

Have you ever found yourself asking the following questions: “Is my writing good enough?” “Do I have what it takes?” “Do I have the skills I need to be a writer?”

Insecurity can hit all of us at various points in our writing journey. Here’s how Webster’s defines the word insecure: “a deficient assurance; beset by fear and anxiety; not highly stable or well-adjusted; not confident or sure; not firmly fastened or fixed.”

Some of you might be old enough to remember those Sure deodorant commercials where various people of all walks of life would confidently raise their hands while a catchy little song with the words, “Raise your hand if you’re sure!” would play. Because these people used Sure deodorant, they had no fear of revealing sweaty or smelly armpits.

If you and I are struggling with insecurity, there’s a good chance we’re struggling with our identity. When we’re secure in our identity as children of God, the insecurities we feel will slowly dissipate.

In the apostle John, we see a wonderful example of someone who was secure in his identity. On numerous occasions throughout the gospel he penned, he refers to himself as the “disciple Jesus loved.” Think of the powerful effect this would have on each of us if we referred to ourselves as the “kingdom writer Jesus loves.” When we write from a place of knowing we’re loved by our Savior, it will have a profound impact on any writing that follows.

Filled and Skilled

With the above said, there certainly is a need for the Kingdom writer to be filled and skilled. This concept is found in a series of verses tucked away in the Old Testament as Moses was receiving instructions regarding the Tabernacle and all its furnishings. It seems that God had just the right man for the job,

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts.” (Exodus 31:1-3)

Bezalel was filled with the Spirit of God and was also skilled in all kinds of crafts. As people who are working to improve our craft of writing, we need to be filled with the Spirit of God while also growing in our writing skills. This is another means by which insecurities will fade away.

Breakthrough will come as we walk by the Spirit and not our flesh. As Paul said in his letter to the Galatian church,

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16 NIV)

What we create in the flesh, we must maintain in the flesh. This is a burden you and I don’t want to carry as writers who seek to glorify Jesus.

Healing from Creative Injuries

You might be someone who has dealt with a creative injury in the past. This may have been someone who said some hurtful things about something you created.

Some of you have received paralyzing criticism about your writing, and it served to stifle your creativity. For others, hurtful words were spoken over you by someone with spiritual and/or relational authority.

Many of us have pronounced negative words over ourselves and then lived out those negative words. It’s important to replace the lies with God’s Truth. Here’s one example:

Lie: “I can’t do anything right. Who am I to think I can be a writer?”

Truth: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10)

It’s time to tell our inner critic that they have officially been evicted!

We have often thought of the following powerful quote by the late Brennan Manning,

“You are loved for who you are, not for who you should be. For none of us are as we should be.”

As Kingdom writers, we are continually growing in our craft as well as our maturity in Christ. When we humbly seek the Lord, we will have nothing to be insecure about. Like John, we can rest our head upon the chest of Jesus as the disciple Jesus loves. (John 13:23)

Journaling Prompt

Have you dealt with insecurity as a writer? As a person in general? Which areas have you been most insecure or fearful in?

Prayer

Father, I pray that I would find my security in those beautiful words, ‘I am the disciple that Jesus loves.’ I want my security to be found completely in that love. I pray that insecurity be driven out. Dissolve it in Jesus’ name, that I would find my full security and worth in Christ alone. I thank you, Lord, for what you are going to do as You transform my identity. I am identified as the disciple that Jesus loves. Help me to write from that identity. I ask this in the secure name of Jesus, amen.