Who Is Writing Your Narrative? Spotting the Narrator

I was recently awakened in the middle of the night with this question: "Who is the one writing the narrative of your life?" This was not something that I could ignore or just roll over and try to forget it. I knew the question was from the Holy Spirit and required a response. How should I respond? How would you respond to such a question?

There are at least three voices competing for the pen. First, there is your true self — the person God made, loved, and is shaping (Psalm 139). Second, there is your fallen self — prone to shame, replaying failures as identity rather than episodes. Third, there is the enemy, who delights in whispering lies that twist truth into despair (John 10:10; Ephesians 6:12). The enemy’s tactic is subtle: invent scenarios that are not true, exaggerate your failures, and convince you God cannot be trusted.

Counterfeit narratives often share characteristics: they speak in absolutes (“I always fail”), they exaggerate consequences, and they isolate you (making you feel shame and unworthiness). They create hypothetical stories — “What if they find out?” or “You’ll never recover.” Paul’s command to take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5) is a spiritual practice of testing the narrator: does this thought align with God’s character or with accusation?

Recognizing the author is the first step toward change. When fear writes headlines, stop and ask, “Is this true in light of Scripture?” Replace rehearsed lies with remembered truths: God’s forgiveness, Jesus’ finished work, and the promise that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38–39). Practice noticing whose voice is speaking, and then invite God to reframe the paragraph. The narrative that ends up guiding your life should be one written by the faithful storyteller — the God who redeems, restores, and writes beauty from brokenness.

I won't lay out how I responded but I can witness to this. The Holy Spirit began to wash over me, flooding my soul with His presence and continues even to this moment.