A Quivering Pen
by Doris Hoover
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power,love and self-discipline”
(2 Timothy 1:7).
I stare out my window, not writing, just staring. Near the windowpane, a tiny leaf quivers in the breeze. I identify with each tremble because I too, quake. My stomach flutters as fear and doubt hover around my desk. Fear whispers, “People won’t like what you write.”
Doubt chimes in. “Do you really think you can do this?”
Fear and doubt challenge me on a regular basis. So why write? Why not give up and leave my isolation? I could be doing many things besides sitting in a quiet room with a pen and paper as my only company.
I persevere because I believe in the power of words. I believe the ink flowing from my pen may touch a lonely heart or lift someone from despair. My words may inspire others.
Perhaps you also face daily battles with fear and doubt. Determine to fight, knowing that what you write may transform someone’s life.
Power lies in our pens, and that motivates our enemy to wage war against those who write to glorify God. Satan uses his most destructive weapons—fear and doubt—because he knows that a writer who fears and doubts won’t pick up the pen. A trembling writer will simply give up and never put message to paper.
The apostle Paul tells us the Spirit who dwells in us is not timid or fearful. He’s a mighty conqueror. We’re empowered by a God of reckless love who climbed up mountains, kicked down walls, and tore down lies in order to save our souls (Reckless Love, © 2017 Bethel Music Publishing ASCAP).
No matter how much doubt we have in our own skills and gifts, we can be confident in the Lord’s ability. He is able to use us to accomplish his purpose. The Lord places a message in our hearts, and whispers to us, Write, child.
How then must we respond? With quivering hands, we pick up the pen and write.
O Lord, give us the courage to share the words you place in our hearts. We may be timid, but you are bold. Help us overcome our fears and doubts and write for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Doris Hoover lives in Florida but also spends time along the coast of Maine. Her passion is discovering God’s messages in nature and sharing them with others. Doris enjoys her other roles as wife, mother, and grandmother. Her first book is Quiet Moments in The Villages: A Treasure Hunt Devotional. You can visit Doris at captivatedbythecreator.com.