From Edie: Discover why faith—not feelings—must guide your writing life. Learn how to stay grounded in truth and purpose, even when emotions try to take the lead.
Faith Over Feelings: What Christian Writers Can Learn from the Headless Horseman
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
“The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?” — Jeremiah 17:9 (CSB)
Fall has a way of reminding us that change is constant. The trees blaze with color, pumpkins reappear on every porch, and grocery aisles overflow with candy and glittering orange displays. Classic stories make their seasonal return, too—from It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
And this year, watching Ichabod Crane’s tale again, I realized something uncomfortable:
Sometimes, my faith looks a little like the Headless Horseman.
Not because I’m chasing people with a pumpkin, but because I can sometimes move through my day without my head—without grounding my faith in God’s truth. I let feelings take charge, and feelings make terrible leaders.
As writers (especially Christian writers), we are highly sensitive, deeply emotional, intuitive, and expressive. Those are gifts. But if we aren’t careful, they can also lead us into confusion, burnout, and insecurity.
The World Says:
- “Follow your heart.”
- “Do what feels right.”
- “Let inspiration lead you.”
But Scripture tells us the opposite:
The Word Says:
- Your feelings aren’t always reliable.
- Your heart will often mislead you.
- Faith must be rooted in truth, not emotion.
This matters not just for life, but for writing.
If we only write when we feel inspired, we will rarely write at all.
If we only share our words when we feel confident, we may never share them.
If we only believe God loves us when we feel worthy, we will doubt His voice again and again.
So let’s ground ourselves in what is true, not what is momentarily felt.
Three Faith Facts Christian Writers Can Build On
FACT #1 — God keeps His word.
We don’t write alone and we don’t create on our own strength.
Myth:
“If I don’t feel God’s presence, maybe He’s not helping.”
Truth:
Feelings are variable. God’s commitment is not.
Your calling doesn’t evaporate on hard days.
FACT #2 — God loves you, even on your worst writing days.
Yes, even the days with zero progress, messy drafts, and missed goals.
Myth:
“I’m failing. God must be disappointed in me.”
Truth:
God’s love isn’t performance-based.
You don’t earn it by productivity or talent.
FACT #3 — God is working in your writing journey, even when you can’t see progress.
Publishing delays, rejections, edits, and rewrites—none of these are wasted.
Myth:
“If it’s hard, maybe I misunderstood my calling.”
Truth:
Difficulty is often the sign you are exactly where you should be.
God is shaping the writer and the writing.
So What Does This Mean for Us as Writers?
We keep writing—even when we don’t feel like it.
We keep trusting—even when results are slow.
We keep submitting—even when our confidence wobbles.
We keep praying—even when we feel empty.
Because faith is not powered by emotion.
It is grounded in the unchanging character of God.
And unlike the Headless Horseman, we do not ride blind.
We write with clarity, purpose, calling, and truth.
Where do your feelings most often try to override your faith in your writing life? Share your thoughts in the comments section below—your story might give someone else the courage to keep going.
Don't Forget to Join the Conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
TWEETABLE
She and husband Kirk have been married 43+ years with three grown sons and four grandchildren. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found with their big black dog hiking the mountains.
Trusted words from a writer to other writers who understand the process of pushing through. Thanks, Edie!
ReplyDeleteEdie, many years ago I heard a pastor give an analogy of a faith train. The engine is FACT, the fact of God and his word. The coal car is FAITH. The train is pulled by the engine of fact. We put our trust in God's word and his promises. The more we do, the more faith we have which fuels our train. The caboose is our FEELINGS. They are a nice part of hte train but don't move it. I always loved that, because even when I don't feel his presence, I can trust his word.
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