Bees, Books, and Being Brave
- Rhovonda Brown
- Jul 21
- 4 min read
My daughter does not like bugs. In fact, she hates bees! I'm beginning to wonder if she has a phobia because every time she sees one, she becomes terrified. She blames me for her fear of bees.
When she was a little girl, she saw me get stung by a bee while trying to shield her from it. According to her, I screamed, panicked, and made a huge scene. I don't remember it quite that way, but perhaps my reaction was more dramatic than I realized. Whatever happened, she has never forgotten it. To this day, whenever a bee appears, she reminds me that I am the reason she is afraid.
The other day, my son spotted a bee in his bedroom window and immediately came downstairs to announce it to everyone in the house.
"There's a big bee in my window!"
Of course, this frightened my daughter, and suddenly neither of them wanted to go upstairs.
I told them to be brave. I handed them a can of spray, gave them a few pointers, and encouraged them to go conquer their fears. My husband was in the kitchen making breakfast, and I was working on my computer. Together, we encouraged them to go back upstairs and deal with the bee.
A minute later, both of them came running back downstairs.
"Mommy, can you come?"
"Daddy, will you please come kill the bee?"
"Daddy, just come look at it."
They made several attempts. They would slowly creep up the stairs with the spray can in hand, peek into the room, and then quickly retreat back downstairs.
Finally, after about fifteen minutes of watching them struggle, my husband stopped what he was doing.
"Where is it?" he asked.
He led them back upstairs and took care of the problem.
Ironically, the bee was actually a wasp!
That little episode reminded me of something many aspiring authors experience.
Sometimes, because of fear, we won't do what God is calling us to do.
We won't start writing.
We won't share our testimony.
We won't submit the manuscript.
We won't tell others about the book idea that God has placed on our hearts.
Instead, we convince ourselves that someone else is more qualified, more talented, more experienced, or more prepared.
We begin looking for someone else to write the message God assigned to us.
Moses did something similar. When God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses immediately began listing reasons why he wasn't the right person for the job. He felt inadequate, unqualified, and afraid. More than once, he suggested that God send someone else instead (Exodus 3–4).
Many aspiring authors do the same thing.
"Someone else has already written a book on this topic."
"I'm not a real writer."
"I don't know enough."
"What if nobody reads it?"
"What if I fail?"
Fear has a way of convincing us that the assignment is bigger than the God who gave it.
The second thing that stood out to me from that bee incident is this: even when we're afraid, we are never alone.
Eventually, my children realized they needed help. They called for their father, and he came.
The same is true for us.
God never asks us to fulfill our calling in our own strength.
When Peter began sinking beneath the waves, he cried out for help, and Jesus immediately reached for him (Matthew 14:28-31).
When Moses felt inadequate, God promised to be with him.
When Joshua faced an overwhelming assignment, God reminded him that His presence would go wherever Joshua went.
The same promise applies to us as writers.
God is not asking you to write your book alone.
He is not asking you to overcome every fear before you begin.
He is simply asking you to trust Him enough to take the next step.
Write the first page.
Create the outline.
Schedule the writing time.
Share your idea.
Submit the manuscript.
Take the next faithful step.
My friend, is there a book you've been carrying in your heart for months—or maybe even years?
Have you been hoping someone else will write the message God gave to you?
Have fear, self-doubt, perfectionism, or uncertainty kept you standing at the bottom of the stairs while your calling waits upstairs?
If so, remember this:
The God who gave you the assignment will also give you the courage, wisdom, and strength to complete it.
A Word of Encouragement for Writers
God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies those He calls.
If God has placed a message, testimony, or story on your heart, don't let fear make the decision for you. Be brave enough to take the next step, even if your knees are shaking.
Scripture for the Journey
"Be strong and very courageous... Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:7a, 9 (NIV)
Reflection Question: What is one writing step you've been avoiding because of fear, and what would it look like to trust God enough to take that step this week?
Prayer: Father, thank You for the message You have entrusted to me. Forgive me for allowing fear, doubt, and insecurity to keep me from moving forward. Help me trust You more than I trust my fears. Give me courage to take the next step and confidence that You will be with me throughout the journey. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Keep writing. Someone may be waiting on the message God placed inside of you.
— Rhovonda L. Brown
Free Resources for Aspiring Authors
If this devotional encouraged you, don't let fear have the final word. Take the next step toward writing the book God has placed on your heart with these free resources designed to help you gain clarity, build confidence, and move forward in faith.
I'd love to walk alongside you on your writing journey. Simply click the links below to get started—I can't wait to see you inside!
Download 7 Steps to Start Writing the Book God Placed on Your Heart (Will be sent to your email after you join the Aspiring Authors Circle)
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