The Thriving Christian Artist
The Thriving Christian Artist
Mindful Daydreaming: Transform Your Creative Process
Daydreaming gets a bad rap, especially among creatives striving for focus and productivity. But what if that wandering mind could actually become your greatest creative asset?
Science reveals our minds naturally wander nearly half our waking hours. For artists, this can feel like a frustrating distraction—yet there's a profound difference between harmful mind-wandering and intentional, holy imagination. This episode explores how shifting your daydreaming from anxious rumination to Spirit-led contemplation can transform your entire creative process.
When we invite the Holy Spirit into those quiet spaces of our imagination, something remarkable happens. Our studios become sanctuaries. Our creative process becomes communion. Our art carries not just beauty but healing, peace, and prophetic insight. As Philippians 4:8 guides us to fix our thoughts on what is true, honorable, and lovely, we discover a scriptural foundation for holy daydreaming that aligns perfectly with neuroscience.
Through practical steps—creating daily quiet space, tracking thought patterns, anchoring imagination in Scripture, welcoming the Holy Spirit's guidance, and letting our hands create what our hearts are holding—we can cultivate an intentional creative practice that honors both our artistic calling and spiritual journey. God cares more about the process than the product, more about communion than performance.
Ready to transform your wandering thoughts into divine creativity? Your next breakthrough might be just a holy daydream away. Subscribe, share with a fellow artist, and remember: you were created to thrive.
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So what if I told you that letting your mind wander could actually make you more anxious or more inspired, depending on where it goes?
Speaker 1:Well, listen, that difference between distraction or divine creativity might come down to one simple shift in your intention, and today we're going to dive into why intentional daydreaming could actually be the key to your next creative breakthrough. Today on the Thriving Christian Artist podcast. Could actually be the key to your next creative breakthrough today on the Thriving Christian Artist podcast. Welcome to the Thriving Christian Artist, the podcast where we hope you connect with God to bust through the roadblocks that have held you back for years, create the work you love and really live the life you know. God created you to live as an artist in his kingdom. I'm Matt Tommey, your host. Let's get started. I'm so glad that you're with me here on the podcast today. Now listen. I want to talk you through something that I think every artist deals with I know myself, probably more than we realize and that is this whole idea of daydreaming and the wandering mind. You know, have you ever caught yourself sort of drifting off in the middle of a task, or maybe in the studio? I sure have, and you know you're supposed to be focused while you're in the studio and you know, focused on what you're doing but instead maybe you're replaying a conversation through your head or worrying about the future, or maybe did I leave the oven on in the house before I came in the studio, or all the different things, right, listen? If that is you, you're definitely not alone. Here's the crazy part. Science actually backs this up and actually, in a 2010 Harvard study by Killingsworth and Gilbert, they found that people's mind wander almost 47% of the time. I just found that unbelievable. In other words, nearly half of our waking hours are spent thinking about something that other than what's right in front of us, which is, again, just crazy. No wonder we're feeling disconnected, right? But here's the kicker when people's mind wanders, they tend to be less happy, and especially when their mind is wandering and drifting into sort of things like anxiety and regret and distraction. Now you might be thinking well, matt, that's just how my brain works. I'm created, I'm supposed to be all over the place, right? I used to think that, but actually that's not really the truth, because, while random mind wandering can lead to stress and disconnection, other research shows that intentional mind wandering, intentional daydreaming what psychologists refer to as sort of positive construction daydreaming that can actually lead to fueling your creativity and giving you insights and even healing. So what's the difference? Right? How do you know if you're either in the good kind of daydreaming or the unhealthy sort of daydreaming? Well, it's not that your mind wanders, it's actually where your mind is wandering that matters, and that's kind of what I want to jump into today so that you can begin to learn the difference.
Speaker 1:This, to me, I think, is where it gets really exciting for us as artists, because our minds are always working beneath the surface. Right, that's how God designed us. We're processing emotions, we're looking at beautiful things, we're exploring ideas, but we need space inside of our brain for all of that to breathe and function in a healthy way. See, if we're always constantly living in, like distraction and anxiety and just this sort of internal noise, it's like trying to paint a masterpiece or create a masterpiece on a dirty canvas. Right, there's no room for clarity, there's no, there's no space, there's no room for the Holy Spirit to speak to you and lead with you. And so that's why I believe that our creative process is never just about making art, it's about making space, it's about creating a rhythm in our life that allows our mind to wander with the Holy Spirit on purpose. See, when we allow ourselves to start stepping into that place of intentional stillness, intentional focus with the Lord, where we're not just scrolling or performing or reacting, but just being with Him and being led by Him and inspired by Him, that's where heaven can begin to invade our heart, that's when the Holy Spirit can begin to speak in and through our creative process. And I think that is when we really start stepping into this place of healthy daydreaming. You know, I've said it for years, you've probably heard me say it if you've been listening to the podcast for any length of time, and I believe it now more than ever, especially in this context.
Speaker 1:Your studio, I believe, is purposed by God to become a sanctuary, that place of connection with Him. It's a place where your imagination becomes this meeting place, this connection point between you and the Lord. And when we invite the Holy Spirit intentionally into our creative space, when we say, like Lord, here I am, you know, meet me here, meet me in the middle of this creative process, speak to me, inspire me, heal me, leave me, whatever it is, our art and the process of making our art becomes so much more than just the culmination of materials and techniques, much more than just expressing what's on our mind. It becomes transformational. Now, listen, I want you to take a minute and just imagine something for yourself. What if, instead of fighting those wondering thoughts right, fighting against and resisting, I'm trying to think about the right thing, feeling guilty about being distracted? What if you simply gave those thoughts another direction? What if you said, like I'm going to choose to let my mind wander right now. I'm going to choose to let myself daydream a little bit with the Holy Spirit. I'm going to dream right now. I'm going to choose to let myself daydream a little bit with the Holy Spirit. I'm going to dream with Him. I'm going to let Him lead. I'm going to explore in the beautiful realms of my imagination what's possible. Not all the stuff that I've been doing wrong or that I regret, or that frustrate me, or the things that the enemy is using to try to torment me in my imagination. Listen, when you can do that intentionally, that's when the shift begins to happen. That, to me, is just like sort of, maybe the creative end of learning to renew your mind.
Speaker 1:You know the Bible talks about taking every thought captive. You know we talk about a lot, the five R's recognizing if something is from the Lord, repenting if we've been believing something that's not true. Replacing it with the truth, reinforcing that on a regular basis. Rejoice within the Lord for our new, normal. Well, listen, this is the same sort of process. Right, we're choosing to intentionally change our focus on the Lord and allowing him to lead.
Speaker 1:I love Philippians 4.8 in the New Living. It says fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Now notice this it doesn't say don't think about bad thoughts, right? Actually, you know science tells us that when you say something like that to yourself, don't think about the bad things. You know your mind only hears bad things, right. But when you actually fix your thoughts, like the Bible is saying hey, the Bible is not saying don't do this. It's saying do this healthy thing. Fix your thoughts on what's true and honorable and right and pure and lovely and admirable. In other words, direct them. Dwell on the things that lift your spirit, that align with God's heart, that invite him into this process of creativity. That's how mind renewal, that's how daydreaming can really begin to be this sort of womb of creativity inside of you.
Speaker 1:And I think when we as artists start taking that to heart, what we're doing is we're intentionally filling our imagination and this sort of internal engine that God's given us with truth and with beauty and with hope and with his presence, and ultimately, what comes out of that is going to reflect that right. In other words, our creativity starts to carry peace and healing and clarity and joy and prophetic insight and begins to be a conduit, a carrier for the transformative power of God. Why? Because God got in a good mood. No, god's always in a good mood. The kingdom's always working. It happens because we're intentionally pointing our imagination and our mind in the direction of the Lord and we're intentionally giving ourselves permission to allow our mind and our imagination to wander in the presence of the Lord.
Speaker 1:So I want to get out of the, you know, out of the the abstract here, and get into the real. Give you a few simple ways that you can start applying this today and really cultivating right Intentionality and God-centered uh imaginative wandering in in your life, cause remember, your heart, your mind, is a garden. You got to cultivate it on a regular basis. And so the first thing I would say is this create quiet space in your life every day. Listen, even if it's like 10 or 15 minutes of unstructured creative time playing, experimenting, journaling, scribbling, whatever that is that can change everything. Remember, those times are never about the outcome. They're never about trying to create a masterpiece. No, it's just about activating yourself, connecting with the Lord. It's about making space in that time to breathe and to listen to the voice of the Lord and kind of calm yourself and get into a really healthy place.
Speaker 1:Number two, I would say track your thought patterns. Now, if you're a journaler and we talk about this a lot in the mentoring program you know creating a time diary for the things we're spending our time on. But you could absolutely do this with your thoughts. In other words, when your mind wanders, pay attention. What are you wandering about? Are you rehearsing fear and regret and anxiety, or the thing that you wish you had done, or the thing you wish you had said, or the mistake you felt you made? And the enemy just won't let you, you know, get rid of that in your mind, won't let it go. Or are you actually allowing God to inspire you and give you vision and bring peace and engage Again. If you can not that you have to do this all the time, but if you can just maybe even take this week and just say. You know what I'm going to intentionally think about, the things that when I catch myself, oh, I was just wondering for 30 seconds. What was I wondering about? Right? Well, where was I letting myself go? All right Now, number three All right, so, create a quiet space every day. Track your thought patterns.
Speaker 1:Number three use scripture as your creative anchor. You know you can start time with the Lord with a verse like Philippians 4, 8, right, let it shape your imagination. In other words, ask the Lord, lord, how can I begin to center my thoughts on your presence, on things that are lovely and beautiful and good, in my time in the studio today, in this quiet time with you? And then, number four invite the Holy spirit in. Right, remember, this does not have to be complicated. You're a son, you're a daughter of God. If you've invited Jesus into your heart, you don't have to wonder if the Holy spirit is is with you. He's with you, he's on board. That comes with the package right In salvation. The Holy Spirit is living inside of you right now.
Speaker 1:Jesus said the kingdom, the full kingdom of God is living inside of you right now. So you don't have to beg God to come, show up or jump through all these religious hoops or whatever, or, you know, pray any certain prayers. I just usually say Holy Spirit, I welcome you into this place today. I welcome you into my mind, lord. Lord, help me to resonate, help me to really heighten my awareness today of your presence is already here around me. Help guide my thoughts, help guide my, my creative process to you and make this time like a real time of communion. And listen, that didn't have to be super religious. That doesn't mean you're painting angels and and uh, you know crosses and doves and all that kind of stuff. It just means that in whatever that you're doing in the studio, you just invite Jesus to the power of the Holy spirit to be a part of it. That's the simplicity of the kingdom. That's what that's just like when Jesus said hey, I just do the things that I see the Father doing. That's kingdom living. That's the simplicity, right?
Speaker 1:And then number five I just think this is so important Let your hands create what your heart and your mind are holding. In other words, as you're learning to intentionally invite the Holy Spirit into this creative process, as you're learning to invite him into this sort of imaginative daydreaming and wondering, you're going to feel things artistically that really lead your heart and kind of lead you in a creative direction. And I would just say go for it, go for it, don't overthink it. Well, that doesn't go with the Bible verse that I thought, or that doesn't go with the dream that I had the other day. Just listen, allow the Holy spirit to lead you.
Speaker 1:I think and you've heard me say this a million times, I think that when God cares much more that we create than what we create, and I think God's more concerned about the process than the product, and so, if you'll just go with it and create the thing that's on your heart and trust it, hey, I'm trusting that, as I'm flowing here in the Holy Spirit in the studio, that, god, even though I might not understand how you're going to use this, I know that you're going to use it because you're working all things together for my good and you've called me according to your purposes and you've enabled me by your spirit to do incredible things. In fact, jesus had greater works than I would do. Listen, I don't know about you, but I think that is hugely exciting for me. So, listen, all of this today about daydreaming, I just want you to remember letting your mind wander is not a weakness. It doesn't mean that you're flighty, that you got the artist personality, whatever. No, it's an invitation. It's an invitation to dream again, to imagine with God, to explore what is buried, maybe deep inside your heart and mind, to be healed and allow the Holy Spirit to move in you through color and form and texture and movement and melody, whatever it is that you do, and to create not just for others but also for your own good. I don't know about you, but listen, I get healed and touched when I'm in the process and I pray that God would use what I'm creating to do the same for others. Listen, when you do that, your art becomes more than just beautiful, it becomes transformational and it becomes sacred and it becomes holy. That's when your creativity becomes worship, and I just love that. So, jesus, we ask you, lord, that you would infuse our creative wandering today, god, that you would draw us to your heart by your spirit today and lead us in this beautiful process of creativity as we learn to create and live and move and listen to and listen with you. We thank you for the invitation and we thank you for the opportunity to do this with you, inspired by your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, we pray Amen.
Speaker 1:Hey, thanks, friend, for being with me today. Make sure you're subscribed. Make sure you're subscribed, make sure you share with a friend and remember until next time. You were created to thrive. Bye, hey, my friend, before you go, make sure that you're signed up for the thriving Christian artists. Weekly, it's my free newsletter, full of spiritual encouragement, creative inspiration and practical tips to help you thrive in everything that God's called you to do as an artist in his kingdom. Every issue is absolutely free and it includes the latest podcast episode, featured artist spotlights, a worship song of the week and, again, tons of tips and encouragement and inspiration for you to keep you inspired and encouraged, and everything that God's got for you as an artist in the kingdom. You can click the link right here in the show notes to join us, and it's a great way to stay connected. All right, love you, bye.