God doesn’t ask us to pretend we’re fearless. He promises to walk with us through every storm. Read this encouraging reflection and discover the inspirational romance that grew from powerful truth.
When I started writing The Echo of Your Heart, I imagined Scottie Sheridan as a fearless, high-energy, impulsive camera operator who worked hard, played hard and loved her career. She appeared in my imagination, playing beach volleyball, and struck me as a fictional friend eager to have a good time.
Then my editor Susie May suggested that perhaps Scottie had a terrifying near-death experience on the job and lost her mojo. What if underneath all that bravado, she was actually terrified?
So brilliant. Honestly, not something I would have come up with on my own. I have a tendency to be a little too nice to my characters. But I’ve learned over the years that if I don’t put my characters in their worst-case scenarios, then my plot starts to sag in the middle.
Ironically, while I was writing this book, someone I love had a catastrophic medical emergency. It was devastating to witness, and all of us were terrified. Thankfully, she received wonderful care and rehabilitated her way back to good health, but it was a long journey. Somewhere in those nightmarish early hours post-trauma, I found myself desperate to outrun my own fear.
Small-Town Romance and Readers’ Expectations
There’s a reason so many books and movies begin with a protagonist returning home: readers like it. From an author’s perspective, sending characters back home is a powerful (ad effective) plot device. For Scottie, using her professional aspirations to entice her back to the one place that forces her to stop running introduces all sorts of complications. She’ll have to deal with messy family dynamics, and the unresolved grief of losing her mother as a young girl. Accepting the camera operator job in her hometown of Redemption, Alaska means dealing with the guilt of letting her stepsister care for Scottie’s chronically ill father. At some point, Scottie realizes that she’d let a lot of valuable relationships slip through her fingers.
And, of course — because I write uplifting inspirational romance — returning to Redemption brings her face-to-face with the guy who has always loved her.
We All Have a Little Bit of Scottie In Us
The deeper I got into her story, the more I realized how much of her I recognize in myself and in almost every woman I know.
We are way too busy. We avoid being still. We say we crave peace and quiet, but we’re scrolling on our phones with the TV on in the background. We can’t drive anywhere without queuing up a podcast or a playlist. Audiobooks are more popular than ever, which is great. Except the number one question I see women asking is, “What do I do while I’m listening?”
Please know I’m not calling you out. These behaviors are mine to claim as well. Is it possible that we’re are all working overtime to manage our fear, both the external kind as well as the internal? Maybe because we don’t want to face what’s simmering underneath.
Choosing transparency and vulnerability is frightening. I get it. Being truly known carries risk. Or maybe you’ve lost someone you love and you can’t figure out how to wade through all that grief.
I’ve been there too.
The Shame Cycle We Don’t Talk About
As believers, I think we sometimes let shame creep into this equation.
Scripture tells us not to be afraid more than 300 times. Do not fear. Fear not. Be not afraid. But I think a lot of us have misinterpreted the messaging. Depending on our theological influences, some of us are believing the lie that a “good Christian” won’t be afraid.
Until we are.
Then the failure-and-shame cycle starts to spin, and we’re caught. Which is why the second half of Isaiah 41:10 is key:
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NiV)
God is with us. We are not alone. He doesn’t scold us for our fear. Instead, He meets us right where we are, offering strength and comfort. His plans are good, and He is for us.
There’s a great Zach Williams song called ‘Fear is a Liar’. Perhaps you’ve heard it. If not, take a few minutes to listen here. Sometimes we need people to speak truth into our hearts.
You might not be a camera operator gallivanting through the Alaskan wilderness, trying to get the perfect shot of a grizzly. But I’d bet you’ve had your own wilderness experiences — seasons where you’ve been deeply afraid, clamoring for a lifeline, craving hope. If life is wearing you out, and fear is nipping at your heels, I hope these words — and Scottie’s story — remind you of what I have to keep reminding myself: when fear presses in, we don’t have to be distraught. Because we worship a God who sees and He does not turn away when we call out to Him.
The Echo of Your Heart is a small-town inspirational romance and it’s available now in multiple formats including e-book, paperback and audio. If you prefer to read using Kindle Unlimited, this slow burn kisses only friends-to-more story is included in your subscription. This is the fourth book in my new Welcome to Redemption, Alaska series. The prequel novella is currently free. Learn more about that story plus the rest of the series here.
Read an excerpt or listen to the audio sample here.
Your turn: what’s your favorite verse or favorite book to read when you’re wrestling with fear?
Image credit: Frank Cone via Pexels
