Has Fear Stopped You From Writing?

A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span (That is, about 9 feet 9 inches or about 3 meters).

1 Samuel 17:4 NIV

A giant sized man named Goliath taunted Israel’s army for forty days. His bullying tactics got worse by the hour, as he heaped insults on their abilities, their manhood and their God. It was so bad, warriors trembled in their sandals and the king hid in his tent. They were dismayed, terrified, and paralyzed by fear.

In a way, I can relate. I run from the blank page, hide from looming deadlines, and feel paralyzed by the word count. I worry others will not connect with my thought process, and the bully editor in my head taunts my feeble pecks at the keyboard. Who will come to my aid?

Fortunately, Goliath’s story has a protagonist named David. Goliath is the villain who messed with the wrong shepherd boy and found out self-sufficiency is no match for relying on God’s power. David came confidently in God’s strength, proclaiming God’s presence and fighting for God’s honor. (See 1 Samuel 17:45-47)

When I rely on my own ideas for inspiration, I miss the power of a God-sized illustration and deplete my self-sufficiency. But when I seek the Lord’s direction, even the smallest stone (words) can pack a punch and bring home my point.

How about you? Are you trying to write an article your own way? You also have a protagonist who comes to your aid. When you ask God for wisdom, the Holy Spirit helps you turn that page into prose. He comes to your rescue! (James 1:5)

Exercise:

Look up the following verses and journal your prayer asking the Lord for the words you need. Remember, the battle is the Lord’s! (1 Samuel 17:47)

A Prayer for Today

Lord, enable us to write with great boldness today. Acts 4:29
Equip us with good words for our projects. Hebrews 13:20-21
Shake us out of our sleepwalking to travel in Your splendor. Acts 4:31
Make us bold and courageous! Psalm 138:3
Confirm Your message of grace by enabling us to write for You. Acts 14:3
Grant words that we may fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. Ephesians 6:19

We love You, Lord!

Amen.

Share your prayer in the comments!

Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.

Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.

Visit Sally’s blog at www.sallyferguson.net