Probably you're familiar with method acting—techniques actors sometimes use to identify more closely with their characters emotions and thoughts. They do this in the hope of a more realistic performance.

This could be as simple as taking karate or dance lessons, or as extreme as immersing oneself in a foreign culture, or learning an accent or a completely new language. Method acting can be an effective way to engage and connect with an audience. Because the actor has taken the time to intimately know his or her character, the character comes alive.

Although this isn't really a term, I experienced something like “method writing” when researching and struggling through writing about Elijah in my article Hope in the Face of Doubt.

Generally I'm able to talk about different subjects easily and reflect on my own life experiences at an arm's length. This is an important skill because I write about many different things. If I were to emotionally identify with each article and blog as if it were just happening to me for the first time…I don't think I could cope. My emotional well-being would be jeopardized.

However, this article was different. From the get-go I was quite sure I wanted to learn more about Elijah and his battle with doubt and depression. I couldn't understand how he could become so discouraged after having such a huge spiritual victory in front of hundreds of people (1 Kings 18 and 19). As I researched and read about Elijah's story (from the Bible and a number of helpful commentaries) I began identifying with his experiences... and recalling my own battles with doubt and depression that I hadn't fully dealt with yet.

Completing this article was one of the more difficult tasks I've encountered in my writing career. At the time it didn't make sense to me why this was such a struggle. It was like I couldn't physically finish the piece until I experienced the same restorative peace and comfort God offered Elijah in 1 Kings 19:9-15.

This is quite a different article than I would normally write, but now I think you can understand why. God met me in the depths of the writing process and showed me how close Elijah's story is to my own. I suspect I will never forget this lesson of hope and doubt because it is where God's still, small voice met me in my isolated writer's cave and reminded me I was not alone, no matter what.