Finding Good When Discouragement
Tries To Steal Your Joy
Some blog posts are easy to write.
This one wasn't.
One of the hardest things I've learned over the past year is that discouragement doesn't always come from strangers. Sometimes it comes from words that stay with you long after they've been spoken.
I've shared before that I use AI as one of the tools in my creative journey. I write my own stories. I write my own blog posts. I write my own song lyrics. My heart, my experiences, my faith, and my message are my own.
But when I began using AI to help create illustrations for my stories and demo versions of my songs, I heard things like:
"You're taking jobs away from artists."
"You're taking work away from musicians and singers."
I wish I could tell you those words didn't affect me.
They did.
More than I wanted to admit.
Instead of feeling excited to create, I began questioning everything I was doing.
Was I doing something wrong?
Was I taking something that belonged to someone else?
Was I disappointing God?
Those questions became so heavy that, little by little, I stopped moving forward.
I became frozen.
The hardest part is that my heart has never been to replace anyone.
In fact, it is the complete opposite.
I think it is wonderful when people can hire illustrators, musicians, singers, editors, publishers, and designers. Those creative gifts are valuable and deserve to be celebrated.
I cannot afford to hire a team.
So I use the tools I have available.
Not because I don't value people.
Not because I don't appreciate the incredible talents of others.
But because I have a message I believe God has placed on my heart, and I don't want a lack of resources to stop me from sharing encouragement, hope, and faith with someone who may need it.
One day, I would love to collaborate with musicians and singers. The songs I've written were never meant to stay as AI demos forever. My hope has always been that talented people would come alongside me and help bring those songs to life.
If those songs ever earn money, I don't want to keep it all for myself. I want to share the blessing with the people who help me create them.
That is my heart.
Recently, something occurred to me.
Technology has changed creativity for generations.
Authors self-publish books.
Musicians record in home studios.
Small business owners design their own flyers and social media graphics.
People create videos, edit photos, and produce content with tools that didn't exist years ago.
Every generation has embraced new ways to create.
So perhaps the better question isn't, "What tool are you using?"
Perhaps the better question is:
"What is in your heart?"
Are we creating with honesty?
Are we treating others with respect?
Are we using our gifts to encourage rather than harm?
Those are the questions I want to ask myself.
As Christians, I believe we are called to speak the truth in love. That means we can have different opinions without forgetting kindness. It also means we should be careful that our words don't discourage someone who is sincerely trying to use the gifts God has given them.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Ephesians 4:29
This verse doesn't mean we can't disagree.
It reminds me that how we speak matters.
Our words can build someone up, or they can quietly convince someone to stop trying.
I want my words and my life to build people up.
My mission has never changed.
Find Good in Everything. Every Day. In Everyone. In Every Situation.
Honestly, it has been difficult to find the good in this season.
But maybe this is the good.
The criticism forced me to examine my heart.
It reminded me that my purpose isn't to win arguments.
My purpose is to encourage people.
It reminded me that kindness matters, especially when we disagree.
And it reminded me that fear can quietly steal our joy if we allow it.
So today, I'm choosing to keep creating.
Not because everyone will understand.
Not because everyone will agree.
But because I believe God gives each of us gifts, and I don't want fear to bury the ones He has entrusted to me.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Galatians 6:9
If you're reading this and you've been discouraged by someone's words, I hope you remember this:
Sometimes people see your tools before they see your heart.
God sees your heart first.
So keep creating.
Keep encouraging.
Keep shining your light.
And keep looking for the good.
Because someone, somewhere, may need the hope that only you can share.
Today, I am choosing kindness over criticism.
Grace over judgment.
Hope over fear.
And I am choosing to keep looking for the good.
Every day.
In everyone.
In every situation.
Because that is still the message God has placed on my heart.