A Difficult Month

This month has been difficult for many of us as writers.

And it’s no coincidence that a lot of us are experiencing roadblocks while moving toward our goals during WYNN or NaNoWriMo.

There are quite a few of you who have surpassed your goals! which is amazing, and you should all be proud!

But there are some of us, like me, who are experiencing extreme discouragement and imposter syndrome.

Why can I not come up with words in this novel?

Is this really the book I should be working on?

Am I wasting my time?

No one will want to read this, and I’m likely going to get a rejection, anyway.

Times like this are where I would refer to my prayer strategy, which I, unfortunately left at home while I’m visiting family 5 hours away.

Our WYNN theme is Jane Austen, and there are many of us (me, again!) who really really love the newest version of the P&P movie.

I’m not here to debate any of you who prefer the Colin Firth version, but it’s well known that the 2005 version has garnered popularity, especially for this year, the 20 year anniversary.

I loved listening to an interview a while ago with Matthew Macfadyen, who played Mr. Darcy. He explained how I’m feeling now when he was cast for the role.

“I felt a bit miscast.”

He said he felt the pressure of playing such an iconic character that people feel possessive about.

He wished he had been less worried and enjoyed the experience more, and explained that while there were moments he had a good time, he was overly concerned about the role.

He felt the weight of expectations surrounding Mr. Darcy, a character many feel a sense of ownership over.

He even discussed these feelings with Colin Firth, who played Mr. Darcy in a different adaptation, and found that Firth had similar sentiments.

He experienced self-imposed pressure to perform well in a major film, recalling, “This is a big film, don’t get it wrong”.

He has said he wishes he had enjoyed the experience more, but he was too worried about it at the time.

He also acknowledges that his vulnerability was a key element that resonated with audiences.

Can you see where I’m going with this?

While I haven’t seen Matthew in many other films, this role in P&P seemed like it was meant for him, even though he disagreed. And I do believe that the movie is so popular because of him and how wonderfully he played Mr. Darcy.

There were many moments that the cameras were rolling and he did something unscripted that felt more natural to him. Hello, hand flex. One of the most iconic moments in the movie.

Completely unscripted, completely Matthew, once he let the character he was playing take the lead, in a rare moment that he wasn’t focused on the external pressures.

While there may be a few, or a lot of us, who may be experiencing imposter syndrome today, or on a daily basis, when it comes to writing, motherhood, or simply being a child of God, we have hope.

During my class, “Creating A Prayer Strategy for Your Writing,” I remember stating the quote I heard somewhere– “When you fill your heart with God’s truth, you will have no room for Satan’s lies.”

Biblical principles for overcoming self-doubt Rely on God’s strength: The Bible teaches that your competence and ability come from God, not from yourself.

By no coincidence, I read an article this morning with the same verse I’m using as the theme for my WIP.

2 Corinthians 12:9- 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.

My MMC is neurodivergent and experiences many moments where he doesn’t understand why God made him so different and feels more than less than.

My FMC has made many mistakes in her past, often finding herself in trouble even when she doesn’t intend it. Her mistakes have caused pressure for her family, and she worries she will let them down.

I’ve noticed a pattern where God teaches me more about myself than my characters as I’m writing, and as I sit and type this this morning, it’s filling in my questions as to why I’m struggling a little writing this book.

While I may not feel that I’m enough to do this, He is more than enough to help me.

In the Bible, we see time and time again ordinary people that God uses for His glory and to do His work.

Moses is an example of this.

In many interactions with God, Moses comes face to face with a feeling often referred to as “Imposter Syndrome,” the sense of being inadequate or ill-prepared to do a job and the accompanying fear of being exposed as an imposter.
Many scholars have written about the reasons behind Moses’ initial hesitation.
Perhaps it was a speech impediment, the fear of facing Pharaoh, or because he thought his older brother Aaron was more qualified.

Regardless of the reason, Moses just didn’t think he was up for the job. But God saw from the beginning what Moses had the potential to become, something greater that he himself ever could have imagined.

See, God calls us to do His will, often in moments when we feel the least prepared. And for me, a lot of times, that comes in the form of my writing and trusting Him while I do so.

Again, while we experience doubt, we have truth and hope from the Lord.

Here are some Biblical principles for overcoming self-doubt Rely on God’s strength:

The Bible teaches that your competence and ability come from God, not from yourself. 2 Corinthians 3:5- “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God”.

See weakness as an opportunity. Instead of hiding weakness, the Bible says it can be a place for God’s power to be displayed.
2 Corinthians 12:9: -But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Understand your true identity. Your worth is not based on your own performance or perfection, but on who you are in Christ. Ephesians 2:10 -For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Control your thoughts. The Bible encourages renewing your mind to align with God’s truth rather than fear and self-doubt. 2 Corinthians 10:5- We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Don’t be discouraged by imperfection. Acknowledging your flaws is part of the human experience, and God expects you to pursue perfection as a lifelong process, not a state you must already have achieved. Psalm 103:13-14- As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

Trust in God’s plan for you. God has a purpose for you, even when you don’t see it clearly yourself.

Jeremiah 29:11 -For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

So, my friend, today rest in the truth of the Lord. Speak to Him about your insecurities and imposter syndrome, and trust that, like Matthew Macfadyen, Moses, and many others in the Bible, you have been placed in this role because God put you there.

He will assist you and help you. He will uphold you in His right hand and hold yours as you write for Him, be a wife to your husband, and mother your children.

Fill your hearts with God’s truth so you have no room for Satan’s lies.

Write. Write some more. Don’t allow imposter syndrome to take hold.

Trust that He made you to step into this role.

And trust that in your imperfections and fumbling with words in your WIP, He will aid you, and His grace is more than enough.

Because with God on our side, who can be against us?