Techniques and tools abound to help the aspiring writer on their journey to publication. At the same time, one piece of advice can be found in variations of the following—“write about what you’re afraid of”, or “write what scares you.” [There’s a difference between avoidance barriers and healthy boundaries, a topic for another day.]

Really? Yes. And here’s the reason why: If I as a writer avoid certain topics because I’m afraid, for whatever reason, it’s likely there are other people, not just writers, who feel the same way. Nonetheless, where would we be if certain brave souls had allowed what scared them stand in the way of sharing their unique and often helpful life perspectives?

For example:

If Martin Luther King Jr. had avoided the hot-button issues of race and prejudice, we wouldn’t have the inspiration and hope of his “I Have a Dream” speech that has empowered so many people, regardless of color, to unite in service for a better family, community, country.

If Elisabeth Kubler Ross and David Kessler had not written “The Five Stages of Grief”, how much more difficult would it be for those who struggle to find their way through great loss?

If Benedict Fitzgerald and Mel Gibson had not written their perspective of the crucifixion of Jesus, we wouldn’t have the breathtaking, heart-wrenching visual story of The Passion of the Christ.

Writer or not, there are lots of explanations for why we avoid certain topics or people. In the case of people, they are often unaware why we go out of our way to avoid them. What they don’t know is their behaviors or mannerisms may trigger dark feelings or thoughts of events in our past. A happy couple may remind me of the death of my spouse; a public service announcement for breast cancer screening may stir unpleasant memories of my own experience; a shabbily dressed elderly man shuffling behind an old grocery cart may make me squirm in the recollection of growing up poor.

When it comes to writers I have yet to meet one who hasn’t expressed apprehension about the stuff that scares them. And yes, I feel the same way, however, here’s the rest of the story—for most of us, we know that we know there’s an unavoidable draw to write about those things. For better or worse, it’s as if the Divine has woven the desire to persevere through the dark and difficult into our DNA.

Now mind you, this doesn’t make us special. Far from it. As a Christian, I believe the desires any of us carry in our hearts have been placed there by our Creator God for reasons beyond human understanding. At the same time, with those desires comes responsibility. Will I allow God to lead and guide me in using them in service to others, even and especially when it’s hard or scary?

Which leads me to a quote attributed to Plato—“Courage is knowing what not to fear.” [Emphasis added.] With due respect, I would add, “Courage is knowing what not to avoid.”

In the awareness fear and avoidance are an unhappy pair lying in wait to keep us from what God has called us to, maybe the best way to become free of their constraints is to get honest with ourselves about what we avoid and why.

How do I feel about acknowledging what or who I choose to avoid?

When things are scary, can I persevere and trust God to take me through it?

What one action could I take today to remove a barrier to being the best I can be?