What Christian Creators Are Really Afraid Of

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This episode might sting a little, because we’re talking about something every creative faces—but few of us want to admit out loud: failure.

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That word alone makes some of us want to shut down. We start replaying every project that didn’t take off, every song that didn’t stream, every post that didn’t connect.

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And if you’re a Christian creator, that fear can cut even deeper. You can find yourself wondering if your failure somehow means that you missed God’s will—or worse, that He’s disappointed in you.

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I’ve been there. I’ve stared at my own unfinished work, my own episodes, and thought, “Did I mess this up? Was this just a pipe dream? Was this never meant to be?”

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The question is: how do you move forward when failure feels final? How do you trust God when what you created doesn’t seem to be working? And what if what you’re calling failure is actually part of the process He’s using to make you better?

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That’s what we’re unpacking today on The God and Gigs Show — how to overcome the fear of failure without losing your creative fire.

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If you’re new here, welcome! My name is Allen C. Paul — I’m a musician, podcaster, author, and coach. Here at God and Gigs, we help you overcome temporary creative problems with timeless spiritual principles.

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Let’s jump in and talk about how to face failure and overcome it with your faith.

Facing the Fear of Failure

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Fear is real. Can we all agree on that? People talk about fear around Halloween — ghosts, goblins, and all that. But creators? We deal with fear 24/7, 365 days a year.

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And yes, we all know the verse: “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind.” But even though God didn’t give us that spirit, the truth is — fear is still real in Christian creators’ lives.

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Otherwise, why would we struggle so much with fear of failure, rejection, criticism, or even success?

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So, here’s my question for you: what are you really afraid of?

Digging Deeper into Fear

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It’s easy to say, “I’m afraid of failing.” But fear of failure is usually not the real issue.

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There are underlying fears that fuel it — like fear of rejection, of not being good enough, or of not knowing what to do next.

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Think of it like dragging a heavy chain — the failure itself is just the chain, but all the weight attached to it are the fears you’re dragging behind.

Allen’s Story

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For me, one of those fears has always been being seen as not capable — not good enough.

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In high school, I was assigned to organize a homecoming event. I wasn’t a natural organizer. Everything fell apart. Eventually, they told me to just go home.

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That moment stayed with me — the sting of being dismissed, feeling labeled as “the problem.”

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Even now, decades later, I can recall that rejection because it connects to something deep: the fear of being seen as less than.

Naming the Real Fear

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As Christian creatives, we constantly step into places where we could be judged or misunderstood. Before you worry about failure, you need to ask: “What am I really afraid of?”

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Maybe it’s rejection. Maybe it’s the fear of not being enough. Maybe it’s feeling unworthy.

Example from a Student

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One of our students once shared a goal she didn’t really want to admit, because she was afraid of failing. But her true fear wasn’t failure — it was uncertainty.

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She said, “What if I start, and I have no idea what to do next?” Her fear of feeling lost kept her from even setting the goal.

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That’s what happens when the fear of failure chains itself to other fears — fear of uncertainty, fear of incapability.

God’s Antidotes to Fear

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So let’s look at what God has given us: love, power, and a sound mind.

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Love conquers fear. You are loved — that truth destroys fear’s power.

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A sound mind replaces confusion and insecurity. You can learn, grow, and get the tools you need.

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And power — the power of the Holy Spirit — overcomes loneliness. You are never alone in your creative journey.

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Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

Living Fearless in Your Calling

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Every fear you face as a creator can be overcome with a specific truth, action, and mindset.

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Your prayer, art, and lifestyle can unite into a confident whole that says: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

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You don’t have to be afraid of anything that stops your progress.

Final Encouragement

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I hope this blessed you. Even in my own life, I still face fears — not having enough skill, looking foolish, falling short. But God’s Word reminds me: you either win, or you learn. You can’t lose.

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I’ll keep praying that you overcome fear with faith — and keep creating boldly.

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[Music Outro]