How many times have I sat down to paint or hand letter and that inner critic starts chatting. Instantly I hear the voice that causes me to fear others will find out that I can’t really do this, I don’t know what I am doing, I’m no good at this. How many times? Every time. Something has to change.
There is a Christian principle in this. Matthew 23:11 and Matthew 20:27, to be first we need to be a servant. To be first we must be last. Mark 9:35 – “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” We need to humbles ourselves. Pride comes before a fall as Proverbs 16:18 reminds us. James 4:6 – “And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” We need to follow God’s design for life. Last to be first, humble to be lifted up, the opposite of what the world tells us, opposite of what our flesh tells us.
I began to realize, to stop the inner critic I need to stop thinking I need to be perfect, I need to get rid of any pride, I need to humble myself. I need to realize I am human, I make mistakes, I have made mistakes and will make mistakes. So let’s apply this to making art. What is keeping you back from making art, from focusing on that idea in your head you want to put on paper? What is keeping you back from living the design for life God has for you? I struggle with perfection, fear of not being perfect, fear f judgements. Here’s the thing, God doesn’t want my perfection, he doesn’t want my success, he wants my surrender. I need to surrender my will and desires to God. I need to humble myself and have a servant’s heart. I need to surrender, give up my desire to be perfect. I can’t be perfect, I never will be without the blood of Jesus Christ covering me. I need to stop trying to be perfect and not be afraid to fail, in my art or in life.
1 Corinthians 10:31 – So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Whether or not I think my art is bad or good, it doesn’t matter. I can do it for the glory of God. He can take my mistakes in life and turn them into something good, turning ashes into beauty. He can use my art for His purposes for His glory no matter what I think of it, no matter what anyone thinks of it. He can help me take the mistakes I make and turn them into something beautiful.
Recently, I read in a commentary by Matthew Henry, “Thinking good thoughts of God will fortify against Satan’s attacks.” Philippians 4:8 “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, … think on these things.”
So, when that inner critic starts chatting, regardless if you are working on a piece art or not, remember these tips: one, recognize, be aware of what or to who you are listening, you don’t have to listen to that. Two, humble yourself. Offer yourself, your work to God, allow Him to work through you, have a servants heart. God doesn’t want your perfection or success He wants your surrender and third, think good thoughts of God, think on good things, think about the times God has come through for you, recall the miracles God has performed in the Bible, the miracles He has performed for you.
The Kedge Anchor 
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