Yes, worry is bad for everyone, but its worse when artists and other creatives do it.

Why? Because the very gift that fuels your talent for good, also fuels worry for bad.
I’m talking about your imagination.

You have the innate ability to make the unreal real. Your imagination powers your mind’s eye to make things that don’t exist believable. The ability to make the unseen visible.

Your God-given ability to give life to dreams can also give life to nightmares; giving life to the worse case scenario. Even if it’s only imagined.

So how do creative people fight the effects of worry and anxiety?

By meditating on what God’s Word says about worry and anxiety rather than mediating on the worse case scenario:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”  Philippians 4:6

Thanks to my pastor, I learned the 3 steps in effectively applying the above remedy for anxiety and worry in my life:

Step 1. Pray:
We have two options when anxiety hits us and when trouble comes our way. We can either A) WORRY, or B) PRAY. Choose “B”! Pray about everything.

Step 2. Supplication:
Most people don’t know this (I didn’t), but supplication means to EXTEND the time of prayer. This is where you have heard of some people spending extended time before God. EXTEND the time of prayer until you feel the anxiety is gone.

Step 3. Thanksgiving:
Thank your Heavenly Father because the act is finished. Be mindful that having a relationship with Christ grants you access to the Father.

So what are your thoughts on this? Too simple a solution?  Post your take on the matter here:

Related posts:

1. 3 Simple Steps In Writing Your Creative Vision You may have seen recently where I declared the month...
2. Need to Launch? We Can Help In 3 Easy SELF SERVICE Steps Whether it’s your new idea, business or service, it won’t...
3. Want More Creative Clarity? Go On a Date with God I shared this insight with a dear friend this week,...

Being an artist, writer or any other type of creative person is a blessing, but when it comes to taking action on the right ideas, it can be a real challenge.

Your creative mind can get STUCK from one of two causes: Either you have an idea, yet you don’t know it’s full potential…or you have TOO MANY ideas and you don’t act on either of them!

Got 10 minutes?

PART ONE:

Here is a simple but effective method of mapping out your creative potential:

(We first launched this video sometime ago, but it seems even more relevant today!)

PART TWO will tell what to next AFTER mapping out the potential of your concepts or ideas.

Related posts:

1. Part 2: How to Map Out Your Creative Ideas for the New Year In last week’s message we talked about how using a...
2. The Number One Way to Map Out Your Creative Ideas (video) “ Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he...
3. How to Know Which Creative Idea Is Right for You In honor of National “Write the Vision” Month, our next...

In fact in a recent poll we conducted, nearly 1 out of 5 of you said that this was the biggest barrier to you fulfilling your creative purpose.

Well, be confident in the fact I, too wrestled with this in past years. It wasn’t until I learned the following two truths from studying scripture that I began to see a breakthrough:

1. God has always had a plan in mind, and I’m a part of it.
2. God knew that I would doubt that He had a plan for me, so He made a promise in writing to give me direction.

Here’s what He’s promised to us:

God has a plan for you:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

God PROMISES to guide you:
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”
Psalms 32:8

God PROMISES that He will answer you:
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3

So, how does knowing this impact your thoughts on the coming year? Share your comments with the rest of us below.

Know someone that needs to hear this for 2012? Share this article with at least two friends.

No related posts.

Writer Sandra Renrick

This is the story of how a talented, creative, writer stopped dreaming about expanding her creative business and took action to make it happen.

Sandra Renrick had a passion for reaching an audience that shared her love for life, books…and natural (non-chemically treated) hair!

Sandra listened to me “nag” week after week about how there was a blog within her waiting to breathe free! She signed up for one of our webinars, and in 2 months, has an established following of readers and soon to be customers.

I knew Sandra would be able to take what she learned and put it to action, but what caught my eye was how swiftly she began to move!
Because of that, I had to interview her so that you could hear her story:

1. Sandra, tell us who you are and what you do as a writer/blogger:

I am the youngest of eight children. I still like saying I’m the youngest even though I’m over 45-years-old. I have a twisted sense of humor, and my nieces and nephews think I’m corny. As a blogger, I’m just beginning to find my voice. Currently, I’m writing about my experiences as a woman who has natural hair. Also, I plan to write about books and my other life experiences.

2. Now tell us about your creative background (training, experience, etc):

Natural Hair

I studied creative writing in high school and college. In high school, I attended the Fine Arts Center in Greenville, SC. I earned a degree in Journalism from the University of South Carolina in Columbia. I’ve held several jobs in broadcasting, and I have worked in book store. I’ve always had a very creative mind. As I child, I had an imaginary friend named Laura. I created an entire fantasy world in which we both lived. Also, I learned how to read newspapers before I could tie my shoes. It’s tough when you are the only lefty in a family of right-handers.

3. We see you recently launched your blog. Share with us how long was this a goal of yours and what lead to you finally taking action.

I started thinking about launching a blog a couple of years ago. I bought several books including Blogging for Dummies. I read the books, but I still failed to take any action. I was spurred into taking action by listening to the talented Mr. Tony Snipes. Tony got me to see that I didn’t have to have everything figured out. All I had to do was to sit down and to write. I actually started writing articles for my blog before I thought of a name for it. I also decided in advance to go with a Word Press template.

4. What obstacles did you face in meeting your creative goal and how did you overcome them?

I had to get out of my own way. Seriously, sometimes I can be my biggest hindrance in trying something new because I have tendency to over-think things. I’m a calculated risk-taker, but I had to learn once again to invest in myself.

5. What role does God play in your life and in your creative work?

I think of myself as a work in progress. Over the last year, I have committed myself more to God and to my church. What I have learned is this: that sometimes writing a check isn’t good enough. God’s work requires a little sweat. As far as my creative work, I think of inspiration as God’s whisper. When I come up with a new subject to write about, I get very excited.

6. What advice can you give the rest of us?

Just Do It. I know it’s a cliché, but if you can’t get an idea out of your head, chances are that you are on the right track.

Be sure to visit Sandra’s blog :

http://forevermenaturally.wordpress.com/

No related posts.

Most of us here are seeking God’s voice concerning what’s the next step in using our talent. Only a few of us will feel that we’ve been able to achieve that.

ALFG subscriber and fellow artist Devin Smith said in a recent interview that hearing from God is not difficult. The challenge is paying attention to realize when He’s speaking.

That’s where the Catch 22 sets in: We get passionate about our creative opportunities, but distractions and rushed “conversation” with God limits our ability to hear Him about our talent or just life in general.

SUGGESTION:

Rather than pushing you to go on a fast, or lock yourself in a room with just your bible, I want to challenge you to do something more relevant…go on a date with God.

WHY:

Just like a couple that’s dating or even married, if their communication is limited to mostly when they are in the car on the way to work or quick moments on the go, they can only get to know each other so well.
But if they carve out a segment of time with no distractions (no cell phone, Facebook,  people, etc.) and replace a part of the regular week with an hour “prayer walk” or  a lunch break for two, they can open up to each other and hear things that they did not hear spoken before. Deep things. Intimate insight.

HOW:

1. Find a place where you and God can get alone. A trail to walk on or even a parking lot to sit in are great places to use.

2. Next, I suggest, just like on any date, you first open up to God and talk to Him OUT LOUD (yes, out loud!). This is simply old-fashioned prayer. Pray about whatever comes to mind. The gesture alone of praying out loud and conversationally will create a level of intimacy with you and the Holy Spirit that sets the stage for what comes next…

3…LISTEN. Like on any date and in any relationship, you must open up and talk to the one you love, but you MUST also be a listener, too. Listening to God’s voice, you’ll “hear” ideas and concepts and other exciting things you WANT to hear. But be prepared to also hear loving correction and things you may NOT WANT to hear from God as he directs you.

CHALLENGE TO YOU NEXT WEEK:

I challenge you to steal away for a one hour break with God to get to know Him better and to eventaully hear what He’s been saying to you.
Share your experience here on the blog!

• Do you “date” God now? If so, what motivates you to keep it going?
• Don’t get to spend the time with God that you know you should?
• Share your insight, thoughts or questions below:

Related posts:

1. How to Practice Hearing God Speak: The 15 Minute Silent Challenge You ever wonder why great ideas seem to hit you...
2. Artists: God Will Direct You…On One Condition So what are the conditions of God telling you what...
3. Sample From My Book: 3 Ways Artists & Designers Hear from God Here’s a sample tip from my newest book “The Artist...