Overcoming FearOvercoming fear to nurture creativity is vital for the maturity of every Christian artist. In an attempt to boost creativity, artists seek out technical instruction and education.
Improving skill and becoming familiar with materials is a necessary part of training. Museums are a magnet for artists seeking inspiration. Every artist I know has a library of favorite books and magazines.Some dream about the perfect studio, imagining that it will birth new creative activity. An extravagant materials shopping spree, trying new media, or even a walk outdoors - all inspires some form of creativity. But will any of it consistently nurture growth? As useful as the rush of caffeine, they only spike a temporary high. A threshold defined by fear is often reached, beyond which the artist cannot enter. Plodding along within the self-imposed boundary, the artist can sometimes spend a lifetime woodenly creating uninspiring, repetitive art. Overcoming fear can free the artist to boldly explore new, exciting territory. Overcoming fear can also help the artist persist in trying times. In studying about overcoming fear, I was drawn to the example of a child, as taught by Jesus. Jesus said ” Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”KJV Mat18:3 "Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." KJV Mat19:14 Children are intuitively creative. They have no preconceived notions about how things ‘ought‘ to be. They respond with gusto to any challenge, discovering solutions that they conjure up out of thin air. Watching them, we observe creativity at its best. They are little people created and creating 'in His image'. In adulthood, we somehow stifle that precious creativity. Putting away childish behavior, we take on unnamed fears, insecurities and inhibitions. Overcoming fear without a practical understanding of the nature of fear and its corresponding response in us, is unlikely. We fear because we despise loss. Give a child blank paper and some crayons and he will promptly create vivid, bold interpretations of the world around him. Do the same with adult artists and they freeze. An involuntary conversation is then carried on in their heads. ‘ What if it doesn’t turn out right? I’ve never been able to draw noses. I always use warm colors, maybe I should try cool colors, but cool colors are so dull, I hate dull art..’ Underlying the miserable, mental monologue is fear and its companion-the desolation of loss. There is the fear of ruining a clean canvas, the loss of credibility in the eyes of another, the loss of self-worth in the face of a lousy work… Since the Fall of Man, humanity struggles with an overwhelming sense of loss and an elusive, yet gripping sorrow. We strive unconsciously to grasp and hold on to things we esteem. All of life becomes a struggle against losing. The thought of any loss is always accompanied by fear. The next time you feel a pang of fear, ask yourself what you are afraid of losing. Overcoming fear of this magnitude, is only possible with Jesus' help. A child on the other hand, concerns himself with little but living in the moment. The level of trust in his father leaves him or her, completely free of fear. Absence of fear because of childlike trust, is the key that allows entry to a realm of vibrant experience, which Jesus calls the ‘kingdom of heaven’. That term encompasses much that mankind has only superficially understood. Living boldly and free of fear is a distinct privilege of an heir of the 'kingdom of heaven'. A little child enjoys much and attempts to explain little. He leaves life's complexities to his father. Watch him and you will catch a glimpse of this new life. His world is secure and unhampered with lofty concerns. His creations are fresh and spontaneous. Here are some things to consider when you face your blank canvas: • Be lighthearted, yet let your art be completely engrossing, involving all your senses, like a child. • Stay unconcerned about the outcome, the joy of creating is your reward. • Keep in mind that nothing is wasted in the kingdom of God; He uses all experiences to grow us, prune and develop us. • Whether we perceive it or not, we ARE growing into adulthood and maturity. Have you ever seen a child stay unchanged day after day? • There are no ‘mistakes’, ‘bad work’ or ‘failures’ in your artistic development – every bit of it is moving you closer to your final destiny in His kingdom • Finally remember, “perfect love casts out fear” There is freedom in knowing that we are loved unconditionally. God has lovingly filtered everything that touches our lives. If circumstances are unpleasant or painful, He knows about it. He has a way through it that does not include loss, but rather gain. Jesus is our redeemer, with the power to redeem all perceived and real losses in life. His redemptive power will assist us in overcoming fear to live abundant, childlike lives of trust. The world waits for art created by fearless adults who truly dwell in the 'kingdom of heaven'. Are you up for the challenge?
What is Creativity? 
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