Share art in and through the pain
JOY, PAIN,
TRAUMA, EXHILARATION
This is life. This is reality. There is no escaping. When your creative gift is crying to be expressed, are you able to be honest? How do you share art in and through the pain?
We are called to be co -workers with God:
9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
1Corinthians 3:9 NIV
So no matter what circumstances erupt, we are still called to be co-laborers with God.
Does that sound heartless? Does it sound as though God does not care and just wants to get a job done?
What if to share your art in and through the pain is part of the healing process?
During COVID, many attacks caused a fear questioning if I really had a creative gift to offer. My relationship with God continued, but what was I to do? 🥹
God was building something through the pain. A different path to share unfolded. God’s hand to engage with Him was never closed. My part was to be still and receive.
Share art in and through the pain
it is not easy.
“Am I being punished”?
When pain smacks you in the face, no matter what the cause, it is not easy to bless God and be grateful. Isn’t the first response normally to turn either to deep anger or huge questions too difficult to answer? The words, “Why me”, or “Am I being punished”, flood the brain.
That was my experience. Journalling became a type of healing for me. Receiving and expressing my heart through words and later photography took me on a journey I could never have imagined.
This post from 2020 reflects trying to handle painful experiences. Losing doesn’t mean you are a loser.
Because of the pain and lies I took in, I was not kind to myself. But it is especially during those times I need to listen to One who really cares for me.
“In a attempt to erase our past, we deprive the community of our healing gift. If we conceal our wounds out of fear and shame, our inner darkness can neither be illuminated nor become a light for others.” Brennan Manning.
Pray and go forward
Spending time with God opened the benefit of silence and solitude. The gift of God’s Heart through Your Art became a reality,
Our creative gifts or even the intense incentive to create is not just part of our DNA. It is connection to THE CREATOR. In our pain we listen, hear God’s heart and have permission to express. Life is not a double edged walk where we only engage with Jesus during a quiet time and weekend services. IT IS LIFE.
If taken seriously, this path may become even more complicated. To share art in and through pain might be the request.
Look at Brennan Manning’s quote by the lens of creative expression. Sitting with God, listening to His Heart, praying and going forward are tools to deal with pain. We do not conceal nor do we do glorify the pain.
DEAL WITH THE PAIN HONESTLY!
Help to forward to share art in and through the pain
Does sharing mean you are to write a novel or a self-help book dealing with your past trauma? No, well maybe, if that is where your creative expression takes you. Personally, I am interested in your healing journey as you grab God’s hand. There is beauty inside (and probably pain) yearning to be freed.
Here are two books that might be helpful. One, I am reading now and the other was a “suggestion” when I was checking out writing, healing and trauma.
THE SENTENCES THAT CREATE US edited by Caits Meissner is a creative writing handbook for incarcerated people. Try to imagine the traumatic, day to day life where your name is now a number. Read the quote to freedom found through writing poetry:
The label of prisoner, victim or handicapped in any form can destroy a walk forward. Limitations because of circumstances, can stifle and even destroy the gift God created. The book deals with examples from incarcerated people but the tools given are gifts to deal with any trauma.
How do I Start to share art in and through the pain
The second book is a combination of space for words and art. This can be very helpful when you question where to even start.
The Keeper of My Heart: the Key to Knowing Who You Truly Are by Ashley Wichlenski
The book contains pages to color and areas to write. Letters are written to you from Jesus. There is no correct way to respond. Just write.
It does not matter
Are you a professional artist where your income is from your art or the creator who loves expressing through the arts? Life is JOY, PAIN, TRAUMA AND EXHILARATION and the enemy of our souls wants to block you within the negative where you feel stuck. God says, “I see you. Take My Hand. I will walk on this path with you. Speak, what is in your heart. Allow the healing to flow, “
I am not finished sharing the stories behind Vintage Hymns. This break is to encourage you. Creativity in all forms is a way to help walk through life. Pain is not a block. Rather it just might be the door God wants to use not only to free you, but also a way He wants His Heart to be expressed. Could it possibly open doors to others saying, “You are not alone.”?
——————————————————————————————————
Books to check out to help Share you art in and through pain:
The Sentences That Create Us. (Crafting a Writer’s Life in Prison) edited by Caits Meissner
The Keeper of My Heart:The Key To Knowing Who Truly Art by Ashley Wichlinski.