Are you afraid?

A lot of new writers I know are afraid. It’s an underlying thought in all their conversations.

“I have this great idea. Not that anyone will want to read it…..but I really want to tackle this subject.”

“I know God has called me to do this. I have thoughts that I know didn’t come from me. No one is going to like what I have to say, but someday….I know God wants me to say it.”

“I want to write about that but I’m no expert on the subject. I guess I better leave that to someone else.”

And then there’s the fear that so debilitates that they can’t write without approval. Those young writers who can’t even write a comment to this blog or any other for that matter – all because they are afraid that they might not say it right or that they might be attacked or that they just might make a mistake.

Fear can totally eliminate your HOLY CALLING. Fear has far reaching tentacles and can infiltrate every area of your life. Fear can and most of the time will attack your “inspiration” with a vengeance. Why are we so fearful? You can’t watch TV for more than 15 minutes without being bombarded with subliminal fear. Humor has gone from being situational or slap stick to being a complete emotional destruction of one of the weaker characters. And the worst of all is the thought that someone in the media will find out about something you’ve said and will hold you up to public ridicule.

Commercials are worse. We are bombarded with the fact that the only way we deserve anything that’s being shown is if we are beautiful, popular and smelling sweet. Those who are overweight with bad breath, wrinkles and bad hair – those people don’t deserve respect or any of the fun stuff. And if even if you are one of the beautiful people….try saying something stupid and O’Riley will label you a pinhead.

Add to that the way the news sensationalizes anyone trying to do something good. If they decide they don’t like the message, they will attack the messenger. They will be more diligent than the CIA at tracking down something bad about your life. “Why are you writing this book? When you were three you were a spoiled brat.”

Man!  Why would anyone ever want to speak up? Only the most courageous of all will stand up during a confrontation and take on the resident bully!

Writers must be courageous! Writers must take on the battles of truth, Christianity, love, parenting, greed, politics etc….

We start the arguments that lead others into fighting the war! What a responsibility. That responsibility includes understanding your craft enough to know how to create a desire to eliminate evil without inciting deep seeded anger.  While I believe there is a way to speak out and not incite violence, why would anyone want to blow the whistle on evil and risk the chance of being attacked?

Because it must be done! The world needs your voice! God asked you to speak up and you must!

I don’t have time to learn all there is to know about computers….I have to trust computer techs to know what they need to know so I can trust them with my precious computer. Likewise…I don’t have the time to become a doctor. I have to trust my doctor to use his expertise to keep me healthy.

Whatever God has called you to write about….the world needs to know your views so they can make an intelligent decision on what to do. This country has been and hopefully will continue to be the best country in the world – mainly because we have free speech.

Please don’t take that free speech lightly. If you allow fear to keep you silent, that’s the same as hiding your light under a bushel. Remember the old song This little light of mine?

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel, no! I’m gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

If God has given you a message to deliver, you must follow through. You can’t allow family, friends or even the media stop your message. You must speak up against evil. While we still have free speech, you must have the courage to speak.

I didn’t and it made me miserable. For years I was tied in knots worrying that someone would be negative about what I had to say. It took years of prayer and study of God’s word to finally bring me to the point that I no longer care about the negative statements of others. What I do care about is doing God’s will and being logical about the issues of life. What I do care about is responding properly to social issues.

And guess what? I’ve had less negative statements since I developed a determined attitude. While there are less negative statements….there are also more positive ones. That tells me that God will protect and lead as we follow His will. How wonderful!

What are you waiting on?

God loves you and has called you to write,


Debbie