There are many times I'm anxious about sharing, submitting, or showing my art. What is it that causes me anxiety? I worry about my art not measuring up. Are my concepts strong enough, are my ideas unique enough, or is my execution good enough? Somehow the rejection of my work would be a rejection of me. I'd rather pass up an opportunity than deal with not being accepted(in all the ways). Yes, I've passed up way too many opportunities in my life because of anxiety. Are my fears irrational? Yes & No. There are always "reasons" for our fears. Dismissing them does not make that go away. However, there are times we need to move forward in spite of our anxiety. We need to focus on the things that are true. We need to allow ourselves to embrace the positive that can be and not live our life by the negative that has been. I've tried over the past few years to share my work in different settings. Sometimes I've been accepted & received positive feedback, and sometimes I have not. It is ok. I've realized that there are times that my work just doesn't "fit" in with what they are doing. It isn't a rejection of me. This has allowed my anxiety to mellow/subside in regards to sharing my work.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
Before anyone tries to dismiss this...anxiety is real. There are many who truly need to seek professional help to deal with their anxiety and root cause(s). There is no shame in that. Seeking help to become healthy in any way should be encouraged and supported. It is not always about "have enough faith" or " just pray more". Those responses are too dismissive. Anxiety stops so many from experiencing a full & meaningful life. We all experience "anxiety" at different points in our life for a multitude of reasons. God desires us to "cast" our anxiety on him. What does cast mean? To cast is to transfer ownership. We surrender the "rights" to that worry/fear. This can alleviate the weight we experience and allow us to begin moving past or in spite of the cause of our anxiety. When we cast our anxiety upon the Lord (because he cares for us), we can begin seeing that we are loved, that we are secure, and that we are impowered. For many, this will allow their anxiety to subside. HOWEVER, if you feel you need something more to see past/deal the things that are keeping you from experiencing the life God has given you.....please seek help. THERE IS NO SHAME IN THAT. YOU ARE NOT LESS OF A BELIEVER BECAUSE OF IT. YOU ARE STILL A PERSON OF FAITH. YOU ARE STILL LOVED.
(AND DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU OTHERWISE!!!)
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