Not long ago, I posted something on my social media pages about creativity and not letting fear and doubt hide it. Not surprising what I heard back . . . people relating doubts about their talents and their creativity. Doubts about sharing their creations and fears of not being good enough.
Why is it so easy to let fear push our passions aside?
It hurts my heart to hear because it’s so personal. I know just how it feels. I know what it feels like to compare your talents to others and feel like you’re not good enough. I know how overwhelming it can be.
I know how tiring it can be to constantly be scrutinizing ourselves and comparing ourselves. I get it. I understand. I’ve been there. And on occasion, I still go there. It’s tough.
If you can relate to this, I want to offer you some hope.
One thing that has helped me with this fear is to really see creativity as a gift. Of course we want to be a good steward of what He has given us, right?
God, the greatest Creator, the One who created flowers and stars and puppies, made us in His beautiful image. We are His masterpiece. And we are to represent Him and reflect Him on this earth.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10)
To those He made in His image, He chose to purposefully gift with creativity. Be led by Him. His intention is that we use our gifts and use them for good. Create with the gifts He has given you.
Don’t allow yourself to compare them to the gifts He has given another. When our focus is on others, all the bad stuff can get in. We are scared and hesitant. We get caught up being afraid to fail, being afraid we might look foolish. We get caught up in the expectations of the world around us.
Let that stress and worry fade into the background. It is not important. Put aside those false expectations and remember what is most important. Creativity is beyond a personal achievement. Bringing honor and glory to God is most important.
Whether it be on a sewing machine or a musical instrument, through words or painting or photographs, by singing, cooking, or homemaking, God has given each of us unique expressions of creativity. Don’t let the world miss out because of fear and doubt. We can all use our creative gifts to serve God and bless others.
Remember you are reflecting Him as only you can . . . bringing glory and praise to Him.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Seeking to create and bring beauty into this world honors Him. Let Him open your eyes to see the creative within you. Allow Him to use you for His purpose.
Be creative for His glory.
If you are not letting doubt and fear hold you back, what creative gifts has He given you to share?
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jennifer,
Fear, doubt, worry, comparison…all weapons of the enemy. When we feel led to reflect God’s love through our own unique gifts – be they art, or music, or song, or dance, or writing, or photography, etc., the enemy immediately goes on the attack because the last thing he wants is anyone or anything bringing glory to God. So he lies, he contradicts, he infuses doubtful thoughts, spins thoughts of inferiority in our minds…for this is his battleground. God gave us gifts for us to use as our expression of gratitude, thanks, love, adoration, praise, and worship. Let us not let the enemy beat us down and lets not let him win. Do whatever it is you do and do it with abandon knowing that the God of the Universe looks upon your gift and is not only pleased…He delights in you and He rejoices over you and your efforts to glorify Him with singing….yes singing!! Let God’s adoration drown out the contradictions of the enemy. Love your artwork Jennifer…so glad you are letting your unique light shine!!
Blessings,
Bev
Jennifer Studio JRU says
I appreciate your beautiful thoughts and encouragement, Bev! “Do it with abandon”… yes, yes, yes! Love that reminder!!
Stephanie says
That was beautiful Bev! Thank you so much for this! Xoxo
An says
Definitely needed this encouragement today, dear Bev 🙂 Thank you and praise the Lord for these sweet words of grace 🙂
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
You are welcome An…my words were/are heartfelt.
Blessings to you this day,
Bev xx
Carlene Hamilton says
Hi Bev, for awhile now I have been saying I need to acknowledge You! You are such an Encourager and Faithful in giving comments to each post. I want you to know I look for your feedback each day and sometimes scroll down to read yours first. I value and appreciate you giving us a peek into your life’s journey in Christ…it blesses my heart and lift my spirit. I do pray for you as well. Thanking God for my In-Courage community of Family…everyone I share the link with find it to be a blessing. xoxo.
Carlyann Qns NY
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Carlyann,
I can’t tell you what your kind words mean to me. Yesterday, I was having a particularly difficult day and your sweet and kind comment was like a balm to my heart! It couldn’t have been more perfectly timed!! I love the (in)courage community….the writers and women who participate have seen me through a divorce and several surgeries…the least I can do is give back.
Blessings and heartfelt thanks,
Bev xoxo
Traci says
Thanks for this! It is an encouragement to me!
Jennifer Studio JRU says
You are very welcome! So grateful to hear it was an encouragement for you, Traci!
Jeanne Takenaka says
Jennifer, such an important post! In a culture where perfection is the standard, it can be intimidating to try out our creative chops. I delayed trying to write for years because I knew—I just KNEW—I wouldn’t be good enough. When God finally gave me a very personal nudge, I stepped out into the unknown and began to try to write. What I found is that, as I began trying my hand at putting words to paper, He brought people into my life to help me grow in doing this. I have discovered I love writing. 🙂 I’m learning—thorugh a couple steps forward and then one backward—how to embrace the journey and timing God has for ME and to take my eyes off of where I see others going on their journeys.
And this line: “Remember you are reflecting Him as only you can . . . bringing glory and praise to Him.”
I LOVE IT.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Oh, Jeanne… what a fantastic story! I love hearing you stepped out and began to write. And then He helped you in the journey! Love it!!
Rebecca L Jones says
I love your article. People need to encourage creativity, I see children even lacking imagination. I love using computers, but people have forgotten how look at a blue sky and see clouds as a parade of something other than clouds. I agree with Bev on this too. Our creativity is from God, and it’s alright to be different. The Holy Spirit once told me that I was not in competition but in Christ, and that means love and sharing.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Yes, Rebecca! I love that reminder we are not in competition, but in Christ! And it is alright to be different because He made us that way!
Donna says
Jennifer, thank you, thank you, thank you for this article! I need to give a devotional at a ladies´ meeting in two days, but was not making any progress. I prayed this morning that God would give me something to help me get started and a specific Bible verse. Voilá – – your article appeared in my inbox. Thank you for taking the time to think and write.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
So grateful to hear this came at His perfect timing for you, Donna! Praying your words will be a blessing to your group!
Py Pyshora says
I love the expression: There are “GOD WINKS” for each & every day IF we will look, we will find! This has indeed been my ‘God Wink’ for the day! I’m creative in many ways and “GOD WINKS” is not my gift but that of SQUIRE Rushnell…awesome author of the coincidences from our daily lives!!!! Thank you for your’s too! 😉 PY<}
D. says
This may be His glory or a reflection of Him but quite honest I’m working on my passion wearing my heart on my sleeve and its been foiled at every turn and now it’s all just such a hot mass and failure that the only really dignified thing I can do is to give it up. If God is blocking you then how can you fight? If you start to make something beautiful and it falls apart to something ugly …. I think only a creative can understand – it’s even more painful than not doing it at all.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
I am sorry for what you are going through, D. I do understand and it is painful when things aren’t working out. I am experiencing some of that myself right now. All I can say is to not give up. Maybe it takes a bit of a different direction, maybe it takes a big different direction, but when you are working to His glory, you can’t be wrong. I am praying and *trying* my best to be patient to see where He is leading me. It is hard, but I think it will be worth it in the end! I am praying for you, D, for this difficult journey and for the strength to keep reflecting Him!
Stephanie says
Absolutely beautiful Jennifer! Thank you so much for sharing. Really really needed this! God bless you always. Xoxo
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Oh, thank you so much, Stephanie! Grateful it could encourage your heart today!
Laura Snyder says
In my own personal photography, I pretty much snap, edit and share with abandon. I love to show glimpses of our world with a fresh perspective. Sometimes I nail it, sometimes I don’t. I love the accolades on social media and the fact that people like my work, but the only audience that truly matters is God. He has given me the gift of capturing our world through my lens and that’s what I’m going to do!
As an elementary art teacher, my students get more stuck on perfection the older they get. I have come to truly love teaching the kindergartners because they are just in love with life and will create with abandon with me, even though I do have specific concepts I am required to teach them. The older kids have heard me say a million and one times “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful” a line that Myquilin Smith (The Nester) has used in the past. It really resonates with me and I hope I’ve opened up the minds of a few students by reinforcing that idea.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
I love how you capture and share His beauty as only you can through your lens, Laura! I can only imagine how happy you make Him! Continue pointing us to Him through that beauty!
Cindy Fort says
*sigh* – the fear and the pushing through it are captured perfectly in your words, Jennifer! Thank you so much for sharing your heart!
Jennifer Studio JRU says
I really appreciate that, Cindy. And I am so grateful to see you point to Him through your creativity!
Theresa says
Thanks for the encouragement. We are all creative but gifted so differently. Fear, not wanting to boast or be prideful, shame of not being good enough, shame of being to good, fear of success, so many things hold us back.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Yes… so much to hold us back, Theresa! But I hope for His sake, you aren’t held back and you just let His light shine through your creativity and gifts!
Lyla Swafford says
Thank you for reminding me of this. I have cerebral palsy so everything is rather difficult but comparing myself to others is deadly. Looking at my Father releases my creativity. It’s too easy to forget that.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Oh I love that reminder, Lyla… looking at our Father releases our creativity! Beautifully said!
Christy Frampton says
“Whether it be on a sewing machine or a musical instrument, through words or painting or photographs, by singing, cooking, or homemaking, God has given each of us unique expressions of creativity. Don’t let the world miss out because of fear and doubt. We can all use our creative gifts to serve God and bless others.” I can’t tell you how this article has inspired me this morning. Thank you so much! I have held back way too much because of doubts and fears, and you really nailed it. I love to crochet, craft, play trumpet and other things, also blog, which I’ve neglected and felt inferior to others about. Thanks for the reminder that every one of us is uniquely gifted by God. 🙂
Jennifer Studio JRU says
I am so happy to hear it inspired you, Christy! Sounds like you have a beautiful variety of creative gifts and I do hope that you share them in the way that only you can!!
Py Pyshora says
I too used to do many things with my hands and have become a bit limited…so today I decided at the doctors office to ‘gift’ two beautiful children, a brother and sister that were left in the children’s area while mom went in to see the doc. [The two were about 9 & 7] with a THANK YOU for playing quietly while Mom was gone. SURPRISE! Smiles & Thank Yous! When I was called to the exam room, Mom came out & I told her Thank You for her beautiful children & their behavior! She was ANXIOUS that I might be complaining and was overwhelmed when I assured her they had been AWESOME!!! GREAT GOD WINK for all of us! With loads of laughter!!!
Thank you Christy for your loving, kind words! My prayer is that we all take the time to say something kind, nice, loving to at least one person each & every day! GOD BLESS EACH & EVERY ONE OF YOU!!! May God’s Peace be your Peace!
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Aww, Py… that was such a beautiful gift! A wonderful God wink! Thank you so much for sharing how much a kind word can mean to someone!
Nancy Ruegg says
Chiming in with my “Amen” for these wise words: “Remember you are reflecting Him as only you can . . . bringing glory and praise to Him.” I’m thinking about all the factors that go together to make each of us unique: our personalities, gifts and skill-sets, life experiences, relationships, etc. What a privilege he gives us to reflect Him–each in our own custom-designed way. Thank you, Jennifer!
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Oh yes, Nancy! I love how you put it… “in our own custom-designed way”. As only He can design!
Beth Williams says
Jennifer,
Fear and doubt keep us from using our talents for His glory. We feel our meager talents aren’t enough or can’t be used in a grand way. I have discovered that anything and anyone can be used for His glory. I know a little sign language. it never occurred to me that I would be using this for His glory. I do sign language to music for our church. Who would have thought, since I am nervous in front of crowds. it enhances the services and people really enjoy it.
This post reminds me of a song by Steven Curtis Chapman “Do Everything”. It talks about big jobs, little jobs, major events or just everyday living and doing whatever–even picking up toys, flipping burgers, or sweeping the floor to the glory of God. It was my mantra on my last job. Got me through a lot of tough days!
Blessings 🙂
Jennifer Studio JRU says
What a wonderful and precious use of the talent He has given you, Beth! That is just awesome! I am going to look up and listen to that song right now. Thank you for sharing!