Creativity and pain

Pain, what do we do with it?

Jesus told us we would have tribulation in this world and to be of good cheer. We know all the “right” things to do… turn it over to God, have faith, and wait on God in prayer… All excellent and needful steps… and yet… the reality of excruciating pain in our lives causes us to cry out in desperation. “Where is our relief? Where is our Savior?” We fear He’s forgotten us; and those silent moments in our walk with the Lord are so unbearable at times in the face of our grieving pain; we don’t know how we’ll survive!

If we are to fellowship in His suffering, we know pain is going to be a part of our lives. He promises He will never leave or forsake us, and that He always has a plan. We are growing up in God and the growing pains are tough. So, what do we do with this pain as we’re working through it, hurting and longing, grieving and suffering?

Here are some thoughts on the matter of pain and creativity. Creativity comes from the depths of our souls, our emotions, longings, and our craving to express ourselves. We all have this—we’re made in God’s image. He being the Creator; has planted within us the desire to create. Some of the greatest classics done in the arts came out of great suffering. Throughout time, artists have taken what they were going through and expressed it through their gifts.

Creativity that comes from deep within—whatever state our soul happens to be in; must come out of who we are down inside, as we let it move through our deepest feelings of pain or our deepest joys. What is your gift? Is it painting? Is it writing, singing, dancing? Any gift or talent God has given you, He wants you to use.

Here is the great part — as we allow ourselves to express our soul, our pain, our broken hearts creatively—there comes a release inside. Yes, a joining with our Creator. As we are pouring out who we are through our gifts and talents; beauty emerges out of the ashes of our pain. There’s no telling how far reaching the results could be.

Creativity becomes the channel through which we evolve outside of what’s inside of us, to touch the world around us. At the same time it can be the link connecting our soul to God on a deeper level. In the end — others are touched when we join with our Creator through the use of the gifts He’s placed in us. Others will see it or hear it, and it becomes a part of their experience as well.

Creativity takes an effort on our part. It’s far easier to leave the pen in the desk, or the paint brush or dancing shoes in the closet and pull the covers of depression and grief over our head, than to make the effort to release our own soul through the God given gift we have within. Our gift from God is a tool in our life, a weapon of sorts, which can be used to bring deliverance and freedom in our own lives, as well as touching others, as they witness the end result.

Pick up that violin, dance, write, paint or draw out that pain. Wreak havoc on the paper as you write, as you dance, as you sing! There will come a settling, a release, a connection with the Creator and who He made you to be. In the end… you will see the results of what you allowed your heart to pour out and you will feel God’s pleasure.
Joanie Miller

Joanie Miller authors children’s books. She lives in California.
I love writing and have enjoyed journaling all my life. I’ve been writing articles for Jewels Magazine over the last year, and love sharing about the Lord and encouraging others in our faith. I’m a published author of a children’s book:”Help,Lord! I Need A Bandage On My Heart.” I’m almost ready to publish my second book in the “Help Lord” series in a few months. In 2009 I received a diploma from LongRidge Writers Group, and I received an Honorable Mention Certificate in the Writer’s Digest 76th Annual Writing Competition. I feel very priviledged to have this opportunity to write for Jewels Magazine.