If you’re an aspiring Christian author, there’s a good chance you’ve wrestled with overthinking. You might be caught in the loop of wondering if you’re called to write, waiting for a divine sign to start, or even assuming that if it’s truly God’s will, the words will flow effortlessly without much effort on your part.
But what if I told you that waiting for everything to feel easy or for God to write the book for you isn’t faith—it’s fear disguised as spiritual caution?
You’re not alone. Many Christian creatives get stuck right here, over-spiritualising the craft of writing or letting fear of “getting it wrong” stop them from ever starting. Let’s tackle that head-on.
Faith requires action—and often, hard work
One of the most practical biblical examples of this is Nehemiah. He saw the ruin of Jerusalem’s walls and was deeply moved. He didn’t sit around praying for a supernatural construction crew to appear. Nor did he wait for a booming voice from Heaven to confirm his next steps.
Nehemiah wept, fasted, prayed—and then he made a plan. He approached the king, asked for resources, scoped out the damage himself, gathered the workers, and dealt with opposition along the way. Nehemiah moved forward with a combination of divine faith and practical, strategic effort.
Christian writers can learn a lot from him. Your story idea, your desire to write—it may very well be from God. But the same God who stirs the desire also calls you to partner with Him in the work.
I hate to break it to you, because I know how romanticised writing is. But take it from me; it’s work. It’s a skill that develops over time. You don’t “accidentally” write a novel or birth a message that transforms people’s lives. You study. You draft. You revise. You push through the discomfort. Because you’re a professional, and that’s what professionals do.
Stop waiting for a burning bush moment
Some of you might be waiting for a specific sign from God to tell you to write that book or start that blog. You’re hoping for the spiritual equivalent of the burning bush Moses encountered. Until then, you sit idle, telling yourself, When God really wants me to write, He’ll tell me.
Ok, but what if the stirring you feel is your sign?
What if the reason you keep thinking about writing is because God has already placed that desire in your heart?
Consider the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30). The master gave resources to his servants and expected them to do something with what they were given. The servant who buried his talent out of fear wasn’t praised for being cautious. He was rebuked for playing it safe.
If God has placed a desire or a story in you, don’t bury it. Don’t overthink your way into disobedience.
“What if I get it wrong?”
Another common reason Christian writers overthink is the fear of getting it wrong. You might worry:
What if my theology isn’t perfect?
What if my writing isn’t good enough?
What if I lead someone astray?
What if.
What if.
So many dreams and callings have died due to What if.
Here’s the truth: every writer starts somewhere. The first draft isn’t meant to be perfect. It’s meant to exist. You will make mistakes, but that doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re learning.
Remember David? Before he became king, he was a shepherd. He didn’t learn to lead people overnight. He learned courage fighting lions and bears before facing Goliath. Writing is the same. You’ll grow through the doing, not through endless thinking.
And one more thing, just in case this isn’t clear enough…
What if I get it wrong?
I hear God saying to you, Alas, child, what if you get it right?
5 Practical steps to stop overthinking and start writing
1. Pray, then plan
Yes, pray before you write. Invite God into the process. But don’t stop there. Make a plan. Block writing time on your calendar. Decide what you’re working on this week. Faith and planning are not opposites—they’re partners.
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” — Proverbs 16:3
2. Treat writing as a skill, not a spiritual gift
Writing is a craft to be honed. Yes, the Holy Spirit can inspire you—but He doesn’t bypass the need for you to learn the craft of storytelling, study grammar, or practice scene-building. Give yourself permission to be a beginner. Study. Practice. Improve.
3. Set a small, achievable goal
Overthinking often stems from trying to tackle too much at once. Set a simple goal: write 300 words a day or draft one scene a week. Small progress builds confidence. You can’t edit a blank page, but you can shape a rough draft.
4. Expect resistance and move anyway
Nehemiah faced opposition. So will you. Resistance is normal—whether it’s doubt, fear, or distractions. Don’t spiritualise resistance as “maybe it’s not God’s will.” Sometimes, it means you’re right on track. Push through. If this was a job or any other giant you’re facing in your life you would push through. Why is the writing any different?
5. Join a writing community
Isolation fuels overthinking. Find a community of Christian writers who understand your faith and your desire to write well. Accountability, encouragement, and honest feedback will help you stop spinning in your head and start producing words on the page.
Final thoughts: It’s time to build
Like Nehemiah, you’ve seen a need—the stories on your heart, the messages you feel called to share. The walls need rebuilding. The people need hope.
Now it’s time to pick up your tools—your laptop, your notebook—and start building.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect confirmation (you’ve heard countless times that God wants you to do this, and yet, you hold back. Why?). Don’t wait until you’re no longer afraid. Start writing in faith, trusting that God will guide you as you go.
The world needs your voice. The Church needs your story.
It’s time to stop overthinking and start writing.
Which step do you need to take first? Share in the comments or message me—I’d love to pray for you and cheer you on.
