But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. (Jer. 10:12)

My word for the year is “create,” but lately, finding the time or energy to create has been a struggle. I believed God gave me this word because he wanted me to create new things this year. I have two book projects along with numerous small projects to complete. I still believe I’m to create new things, but now I also believe he wants me to learn the best ways to do that and to leave behind projects that don’t help fulfill my mission of reaching people for him with the written word.

When I’m busy, when I’m stressed, my creativity dries up. A migraine or exhaustion results, and I know I have to stop and take care of myself. Rather than hurting my productivity and creativity, taking a break rejuvenates me and gives me the strength I need to finish the project at hand. How quickly I forget this when the pressure of a deadline looms! I would do well to remember it.

Here are a few ways I can regroup and refocus so that God can still use me.

1. Go for a walk. One of the best ways to revitalize my creativity level is to walk my dog, Lilly. There’s something about physical activity that allows my mind to wander. Being outside in the fresh air and sunshine inspires me. And Lilly loves to meander and explore and take in all the smells, which inspires me to slow down and enjoy my surroundings.
2. Read or meditate on Scripture. Often, my well is dry because I haven’t spent enough time in God’s word. I receive an email daily with a Scripture reference, so I pause and read that email. I may read an entry in the Bible plan I’m doing or search for verses on a specific subject, such as anxiety, to soothe my spirit. Sometimes, I simply sit and listen as my Bible app reads to me.
3. Watch TV or complete a mundane task. I’m not a fan of vegging out in front of the TV for hours on end, but sometimes, our brains need a break. We can also achieve this break by stepping away to grab a cup of coffee or do laundry or the dishes.
4. Read a book. This one is a little trickier for me because I tend to read heavy books full of lessons to be learned. Reading lighter, well written fare simply for the joy of reading allows me to rest and think about something else. Taking a break to read a chapter or two at a time is a good way to refocus.
5. Chat with a friend. Sharing my concerns with a friend can help jump start my creativity. Often, I find others are having similar struggles or have recently dealt with similar issues. This reminds me I’m not alone and my problems are not unique, and we can provide support for each other.

The harder I try to force myself to be creative, the less creative I become. By implementing one (or more) of the steps above, I’m able to get back on track. God is the ultimate creator, and I know my creativity and ability to write come from him. He is faithful to restore those things when I stop looking at the problem in front of me and focus on him.

Dear Jesus, thank you for showing me ways to restore my creativity when it wanes. Help me focus on you as my source of creativity. Amen.