Let There Be WritingSample

Your Writing Is Good Enough Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! Genesis 1:31 NLT Years ago I sat next to a fellow writer in an airport. She’s someone you’d likely know, whose name and face you’d recognize. Her books have hit the New York Times bestseller list multiple times. Yet she turned to me and said, “Holley, I just don’t know if I’m really a writer.” My first thought was, “Well, then there’s no hope for the rest of us.” My second thought was, “Wow, every single writer must feel this at some point.” I’ve certainly said those words to myself as I sat staring at my laptop with the cursor blinking back at me. I’ve thought them as I scrolled through social media and felt like everyone else was doing it better. I’ve had them flicker through my mind when I finish reading an exceptional book. For so long, I thought I was the only one who felt this way. But since my friend confided in me that day, other writers have shared similar confessions. I’ve had this happen in coffee shops, at conferences, and through emails that land in my inbox. Why do so many talented writers feel this way? I believe it’s because we are humans living on a broken earth where all is not as it should be. This means there will always be a gap between what we envision and what we can actually create. We long for perfection but it’s not possible here. When we feel the ache of this, it can lead to self-criticism. We believe the problem is us, but it’s really that we’re not in heaven yet. Instead we can learn to talk to ourselves in a different way. We can look over what we make and say, “This is not perfect, but it is good.” It is good because we created it in partnership with God. It is good because he has a purpose for it. It is good because it came from our hearts, and he dwells within us. Yes, you really are a writer, and the world needs your imperfect, powerful, God-given words more than ever before. God, when self-criticism tries to stop me, help me to see the good in what you’re creating through me. I want to write for you. Amen. What is God inviting you to write next with him? \---- Explore more resources to encourage you, including a course for writers, at [ holleygerth.com ](http://www.holleygerth.com) .