By Rachael M. Colby @RachaelColby7

Oh, the angst, the war to write. For me, writer’s doubt is an everyday wrestling with the Accuser.

“You’re out of your league. You don’t fit,” the Enemy says.

Yes, but I need to put myself in the company of able guides, those ahead of me on the writing road who know the way. To help hone my craft, I fill my mind with the wisdom of other writers by reading blogs such as this one and listening to podcasts. I’m also a member of the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild. Jerry is the master of ferocious self-editing, a skilled teacher on how to trim your writing. He taught me “Show, don’t tell,” so here’s a glimpse of my battle.

“You don’t have what it takes,” the Accuser says.

“Who God calls, He equips.”

“Who is going to read your words? You will never get the attention, the number of followers, you need for a publisher to accept your work.”

“For now, I will write for the one heart who needs to hear what I have to say. — God, give me a word in season for someone.”

“Who do you think you are? You are no Superwoman, super Christian, mom, or wife.”

“You are right. What I am is superordinary. But Jesus specializes in using the ordinary to do the extraordinary, and I am His.”

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV)

“If you put your heart out there and your children do foolish things, everyone will see what an imposter you are. By testifying about Jesus, you are setting them up as targets. I will attack them.”

“Shut up, Satan! I don’t write just to fill pages or for myself. This is my legacy for my children. I write to glorify God, encourage believers, and reach the lost. I don’t negotiate with terrorists, and I’m not responsible for others’ decisions. I’m responsible to obey God and my call to write, to walk and speak truth in love. He gets the last word.”

“You dare to mention Jerry Jenkins as your mentor and risk sullying his name with your poor example of writing?”

“Even Jerry says he’s still learning, as am I. Onward. Excelsior―ever higher.”

“This is hopeless, too hard. Just quit. You’ve failed before. You can’t attain such lofty goals.”

“The road to success is often paved with failure. Ad astra per aspera—through difficulties to the stars, to excellence. With God, all things are possible. — Jesus, give me a teachable spirit. Help me tend the talent You gifted me.”

“What if you run out of words to say? What if you can’t finish what you started?”

I looked for inspiration and found none. Then I sought my Lord, and I was inspired. “I won’t pursue inspiration, I will pursue You, Jesus.”

As the deer pants after the water brook, so my soul pants after You, oh God. (Psalm 42:1 NKJV)

“You don’t have time for this. Look how far behind you’ve fallen and at all the tasks that cry for your attention. Besides, there are many great and more qualified to speak than you.”

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. (I Corinthians 1:26 NKJV)

It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. (2 Corinthians 3:5 NLT)

So, I qualify. 

“Give me words to praise You, Lord. Speak to me, or I’ll have nothing to say. Breathe on my words; let them pierce hearts, infuse life and hope.”

How do I overcome writer’s doubt? I obey my calling: I pray, I listen, I wield the sWORD of the Spirit, and write myself out of it.

(Inhale. Exhale—Post.)

Born and raised in Jamaica, award-winning writer Rachael M. Colby resides in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Wife, mom, beach bum, artist, work in progress, Rachael writes to glorify God, encourage believers, and reach the lost. She connects culture’s questions with Christianity’s answers, inspires faith, and motivates through articles, devotions, poetry, and interviews. She has a heart for racial reconciliation and to uplift those who serve in tough places. Her work has appeared on Southern Ohio Christian Voice and Inkspirations Online. She runs on copious amounts of coffee and chocolate. You can connect with Rachael on her website, TattooItOnYourHeart.com and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.