As you can relate.. Im sure…. the road of an artist goes up and down. There are times that I am riding on cloud nine with excitement about my future and times in my heart that i am so low in confidence and motivation. My heart deeply burns inside for something more. Today is one of those dark days… where my flesh gets the better of me. My sweet husband reminded me of these verses this morning in prayer.
(Psa 37:3 NIV)
-Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
-Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
-Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this
-He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
-Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
-Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret–it leads only to evil.
There is nothing more comforting and reasurring to know that God is in control and that he never stops doing a work in us. I am so thankful today of where God has lead me. And I am so thankful that there is hope and power beyond ourselves.
This is a painting i wanted to share with you today. I painted it a few years ago. Its a simple concept, a reminder to be a light in a dark world. The world is full of competition, selfishness, pride, greed, and other dark elements that can bring us down. The plant on the right represents the world and all that it brings. There are small skulls on some of the leaves representing that the world’s ways lead to death and destruction. Death and distruction sometimes feels overwhelming. But through God and not ourselves, God can use and strengthen even the smallest of us. He can use us beyond our own ability to outshine the darkness. I am reminded today to continue to be faithful in the Lord and faithful in my work.
What are your thoughts on all of this? can anyone relate? What do YOU do when you are feeling discouraged?
May 21st, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Our Pastor recently spoke on this and it’s been super helpful in times of discouragement:
The same God who has seen you through in your past will be faithful in your future… His presence is the promise of His provision.
2 Sam. 17:27 – “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
And I also would tell you to listen to ‘Waiting on A Sunny Day’ and ‘The Rising’ by Bruce Springsteen… but that probably sounds a little cheese-ball. So we’ll just stick with the top stuff…
May 21st, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Thanks Promise!!
Glad God has given you Brain, much truth spoken there!
During dark days, I’m often reminded of Psalm 40.
I waited patiently for the LORD;
He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced,
burnt offerings and sin offerings
you did not require.
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.
Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.
For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
be appalled at their own shame.
But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
“The LORD be exalted!”
Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.
May 21st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
First of all, I love that painting!
Secondly, I can absolutely relate. Art is such an extension of our personality and individuality that half the battle is just trying because of our deep fear of rejection.
But not trying would ultimately break me, and to know that God is with me and will use the art even in the smallest ways is SO encouraging!
May 21st, 2009 at 3:05 pm
girl, this is good stuff…some of my all-time favorite verses!
thanks for sharing.
May 21st, 2009 at 3:31 pm
I can not even explain how great it is to see artists like yourself out there, doing amazing work, and loving our Lord and Savior as you do it. It is such an amazing encouragement. I can totally relate to how you feel, as I feel the same often. It is just one of those things that we can not let take over. We must remember that God is in control.. He knows what is best for us, even if we feel differently. Our God knows us and loves us and that is all we can ever ask for! You are such an inspiration! Keep your chin up because He will always always be there for you.
May 21st, 2009 at 5:16 pm
yeah, thanks for being transparent. I know for me I always see great work by great artists and tend to think that their life is chalk full of amazingness and perpetual creativity… and forget that all of us struggle creatively, emotionally and spiritually. The ups and downs are real and only with God and His word as a solid foundation can we make it through and continue down the path that He wants for us… sharing our talent!
thanks for the encouragement!
May 21st, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Hey Promise
Everyone artist has moments like this—I sure do regarding my music on a regular basis. It’s the ebb and flow of an artist’s heart, and I truly believe that these moments shape us more than our moments of victory and light. It builds character and sets us up for our next high (check out Romans 5:3-5…you won’t regret it!!). My guitar teacher once told me “There’s a fine line between inspiration and defeat” and it has stuck with me since! It’s that moment when you realize how much room you have to grow…perhaps you saw how incredible someone else was at their craft, or perhaps you saw your own creation and preceived it to be worthless….We can view either of these situations as a symbol of defeat—-maybe I’ll never be that good. Or we can choose to walk on the other side of that line and allow the greatness of others and our room to grow to inspire us and propel us forward towards the goal—wow, if I just keep trying I KNOW I can make this vision a reality. An artist is constantly walking that line—-but who would be a true artist if they didn’t? It’s that raw spectrum of emotions from which the art of life springs. How dull would the world be if art were only beautiful and perfect! There is deep beauty in the flaw.
May 21st, 2009 at 11:53 pm
I completely relate to this feeling! It always helps me to take a break from the things that bring me down, and get outside, enjoy a run around the lake, or eat some frozen yogurt and fresh berries
A hug from my boyfriend is always good too! It takes a lot of courage to share your feelings 
It feels better to know we are not alone in the world. xoxo
May 22nd, 2009 at 1:54 am
Mmmm… Frozen yogart and fresh berries. Michelle you know where it’s at!!! Although I may choose to down a whole roll of cookie dough. Ha ha. Yours sounds much more refreshing and reviving! Ha ha.
May 22nd, 2009 at 11:38 am
Mmmmm….cookie dough!!! Always delicious to treat yourself! Maybe put some in the frozen yogurt + berries?!
May 22nd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Thanks for sharing this… I’m currently blogging about tough times of my own and I thought it not a coincidence to read the encouragement in yours. I’m glad to know you’ve got such a solid husband in Brian and he is right… strength comes in waiting sometimes. Love it. Keep it up.
May 23rd, 2009 at 3:18 am
thank you for that. and btw… what an awesome painting.
May 23rd, 2009 at 11:10 am
It is so comforting to know that I am not the only one who often has those dark days. Artistry has a way of taking us on an emotional roller coaster, and unfortunately we hardly ever get off.
On a side note, I told one of my friends about you yesterday and the only way I could describe you was “pure art”. I told her from the way you dressed to everything that you create. Your talent blows me away, and it encourages me. I often feel like I can only be a “photographer” and that is all I can do because if I show interest in something else it means I’m not devoted, but then I look at you and everything you do and create is amazing. So, thank you.
May 26th, 2009 at 2:46 am
do you read minds?
this came exactly when I needed to hear it.
I will trust.
thanks for sharing promise.
May 26th, 2009 at 10:27 am
all of a sudden, I’m a fan of your site, my buddy DJ, just posted it and it rocks. love your quotes here, nice work, nice site. Keep it up…
May 26th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
When I am discouraged I remember that God has a specific plan for me. If others try to rain on my parade and aren’t very excited (as I’d like them to be) about my dreams, I just remember that’s why God put this dream in my heart and not theirs!
Great site… I also found out about it through DJ… I will check back often! p.s. congratulations on your wedding! 
May 27th, 2009 at 2:51 am
Thanks you guys for your great words of inspiration and encouragement. IT IS hard at times to be transparent and show your weaknesses.. but I think some great conversations happened and i love the idea of continuing this honest creative network. keep the ideas coming…
May 27th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Love your work – I am very inspired and the desire to create is rekindled by looking at what you do. Thanks for sharing the highs and lows – it is all so very true: highs come with the inspiration and creation of the work then the lows can follow with the insecurity of acceptance by the recipient. I have long since put my craft aside which caused somewhat of a death within me but seeing your fruit brings my heart’s desire back to life. The most amazing times came from asking God what He had for me to create today and then watching it come to be trusting He had truly guided my hand so it became His work and not mine. Your hubby’s reminder on the verse about fretting is very timely right now for me – thank him for me ok? hugs from the sunny pacific nw (yes, today it is sunny!
May 28th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Those verses couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m glad that I saw the link to your blog on DJ’s…. it was meant for me to read this today. Thanks for taking the time to create such a great read. I’ll be checking back in! Take care.
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:20 am
i went through such a period recently that last about 2 years. the end turned out better than i could’ve imagined but 3 separate times during those 2 years i wanted to denounce God (but didn’t). thats how bad it got. i found myself surrounding myself with the lord’s words especially through sermons by speakers i respect and admire and wish i could share with you in some technical way. also another good piece of advise i heard recently was that in such times, give of yourself to others such as volunteering. it helps to give context and remember how much thanks we still have to give.
i remember jeannie stephens once saying (and definitely agreeing) that its often in those deep dark times that we grow by leaps and bounds.
July 17th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Just reading Catherine Marshall’s book Light in my darkest night and this quote started a section:
Are you in the dark just now in your circumstances, or in your life with God? Then remain quiet. If you open your mouth in the dark, you will talk in the wrong mood: darkness is the time to listen. Oswald Chambers
November 29th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Psalms, yes! The Timothy’s and Peter’s are good too… Totally relate.
April 17th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Promise! I’ve been scrolling through your blog from the very beginning, and just wanted to say hey and let you know how much I appreciate your creativity and openness here! I was at Alt this past January but didn’t have a chance to introduce myself; now I wish I had made a point of it. It’s so fun to have all of your archives to look through, and I’m so happy for all of your success. Here’s hoping we have a chance to meet in the future! xo