Tuesday Jan 20, 2026

072 | What if God Asked You to Step Out Before You Felt Ready? A Biblical Fiction Author's Story

What happens when the stories God gives you won't leave you alone—but fear convinces you you're not qualified to tell them? In this vulnerable and inspiring episode, I launch a new mini-series called Faith Through Fiction, pulling back the curtain on my biblical fiction novels and the faith journey that almost never happened. After years of writing, revising, getting an agent, and being on the verge of traditional publication, I walked away from it all—paralyzed by questions like, "What makes you think you have the talent?" and "What if you offend the church?" But God wasn't done. When the scenes kept replaying, when new characters demanded their stories be told, I finally surrendered with a simple prayer: "I'm going to write and see what you do with it." This episode introduces Legacy, the book about Nitzevet (King David's mother), and reveals how writing her story of impossible choices and willing obedience became my own journey of stepping out before feeling ready. If you've ever wondered whether your "yes" is enough when you don't feel qualified, this episode will remind you that God calls imperfect hearts long before they feel ready.

Key Takeaways

1. The Stories God Gives You Won't Leave You Alone—That's Your Calling

For years after abandoning my first manuscript, I couldn't escape the biblical narratives playing in my mind. Scenes replayed, new characters emerged, dialogue formed—all evidence that this calling wasn't going away. The episode reveals that when God plants something in you, it doesn't just disappear because you walk away from it. The persistent return of these stories was God's gentle but firm reminder of His plan. Listeners learn that the ideas, dreams, or callings that keep resurfacing—despite your attempts to dismiss them—may be exactly what God is asking you to pursue.

2. Fear Disguises Itself as "Reasonable Questions" to Stop Obedience

My decision to quit writing didn't come from one dramatic crisis—it came from seemingly rational concerns: "Do you really think this is good enough?" "What makes you qualified?" "What if you offend people?" "Do you want your intimate thoughts exposed?" These questions felt prudent but were actually fear-based obstacles designed to prevent my obedience. The episode exposes how the enemy uses "wisdom" and "caution" to paralyze believers from stepping into their calling. Listeners are challenged to examine whether their hesitations are truly wise discernment or fear masquerading as reasonable concern.

3. The Thing That Qualifies You Is Your Willing Heart, Not Your Credentials

Through Nitzevet's story—a young woman from Ephraim marrying into Judah's tribe, blending a complicated family, making impossible choices—I discovered that qualification in God's economy has nothing to do with titles, experience, or connections. Nitzevet wasn't chosen because she was perfect or prepared; she was chosen because she was willing. This mirrors my own journey: I didn't need more writing degrees, more published credits, or more confidence. I needed to say yes. The episode powerfully reminds listeners that God works through availability, not ability.

4. Writing (or Creating) Can Be an Act of Obedience That Transforms the Creator

I describe writing Legacy as living my own story while telling Nitzevet's: "I wasn't just imagining her story. I was living mine as I told hers." As I wrote about Nitzevet's fear and ultimate surrender, I was simultaneously surrendering my own fears about writing, control, and public vulnerability. The creative process became my classroom for faith. This takeaway applies beyond writing—any act of obedience (starting a ministry, sharing testimony, launching a business, pursuing a calling) transforms us even as we work.

5. You Don't Need to Know the Destination to Take the First Step

When I returned to writing in late 2022, I told God, "I don't know if you really want me to write or not... I'm going to write and see what you do with it." I didn't have a publishing plan, marketing strategy, or guaranteed outcome. I just started. The episode emphasizes that obedience doesn't require a roadmap—it requires movement. God reveals the next step only after you take the current one. This encourages listeners who are waiting for complete clarity before acting to instead trust God with the journey as they take the first faithful step.

Key Themes

Biblical Fiction Writing • Overcoming Fear and Self-Doubt • God's Persistent Calling • The Lambswell Chronicles Series (Legacy) • Nitzevet (David's Mother) • Obedience Before Readiness • Creative Calling and Ministry • Walking Away and Coming Back • Blended Family Challenges • Willing Hearts Over Perfect Résumés • Faith Through Fiction Mini-Series • House of David • Jewish Tradition and Scripture • Ancient Israel (1000 BC) • Ruth's Moabite Heritage • The Writer's Journey • Surrendering Control to God • Stepping Out in Faith • Author Vulnerability

Who Will Benefit From This Episode

✓ Aspiring writers and authors who feel called to write but are paralyzed by imposter syndrome or fear of inadequacy

✓ Anyone who has walked away from a calling and wonders if it's too late to return or if God is still asking them to pursue it

✓ Creative professionals (artists, musicians, designers) struggling with whether their work is "ministry" or just personal ambition

✓ People waiting for perfect clarity before obeying God—this episode shows you can start without knowing the destination

✓ Biblical fiction readers curious about the research, inspiration, and faith journey behind their favorite genre

✓ Those battling questions like "Who am I to do this?" or "What if I fail?" who need permission to try anyway

✓ Listeners interested in King David's family history and lesser-known biblical characters like his mother Nitzevet

✓ Anyone in a blended family situation who will relate to Nitzevet's challenges of entering a complex family dynamic

✓ People who feel their lack of credentials disqualifies them from what God is calling them to do

✓ Podcast listeners who want to know Anna better—this vulnerable episode reveals her personal journey and struggles

✓ Those who've experienced the persistent return of a dream or idea and wonder if God is trying to tell them something

✓ Readers of the Lambswool Chronicles series who want deeper insight into how Legacy was conceived and written

Friend, if you're waiting to take that next step until you have perfect clarity, this episode is for you. God has a purpose for your life. Don't doubt that. But he's probably not going to roll it all out for you on a red carpet. You have to be willing to take the first step, without knowing where your foot will fall next. 

Always, Anna

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