(The albatross) circled three times round the mast and then perched for an instant on the crest of the gilded dragon at the prow.
It called out in a strong sweet voice what seemed to be words though no one understood them…no one except Lucy knew that as it circled the mast it had whispered to her, “Courage, dear heart,” and the voice, she felt sure, was Aslan’s.” -C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
The name for this series is taken from this scene in one of the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis.
I chose it because maybe you feel like Lucy—lost in a storm your own fears or other people's opinions about who you are and what you should be doing with your life and your creative interests.
Maybe trying to be the woman God has created you to be feels too terrifying to even attempt because, what will people think? What will they say? Who do you think you are?!
If you can relate to feelings like this, this series is for you.
Over the next few weeks we’re going to learn what God says about you and let that give you the courage to use who He’s made you to be—in your creative interests—for His glory.
In this first post, I’m addressing one of the most common things women tell me they struggle with when it comes to being creative:
“I have nothing new or important to say that hasn’t been said already.”
It can also sound like:
“My work isn’t good enough.”
“I don’t have anything to say that’s worth people listening to.”
“I’ll be wasting people’s time.”
“What if I put myself out there and no one responds?”
“There’s nothing new under the sun–what could I possibly add?”
Any of these thoughts sound familiar? I’ve had all of them and more during the decade+ of putting my creative work out in the world for public consumption. I’ve published personal blogs, ran a photography business and launched a creative mentorship all while growing on social media.
Through every step of the process I’ve had to learn to look my fears in the eye and choose to listen to God anyway.
This series was created to help you do the same.
Now, let me be clear. I’m not saying what we’re going to explore in Courage, Dear Heart will guarantee your success in launching a new business or give you a huge following on social media (check my platforms, I'm a peasant by any social media growth standard 😂).
No, I’m not interested in teaching profit strategy or proven tactics to grow on an app. That’s not my area of expertise.
What I am interested in is helping you identify and refute lies you’ve been told or believe about yourself that are keeping you from confidently pursuing God—wherever He leads.
The goals of the 1st post of this series:
To help you…
know how to create with confidence, even if you don’t feel it yet.
deal with failure in a life-giving way.
stop letting comparison steal your ability to create.
You ready? Let’s begin.