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The Ultimate Guide to Spiritual Meditation through Creativity

How loud is your mind? Are you at peace, or does your brain run non-stop? Perhaps you’re replaying the last conversation you had at work, reviewing the schedule for your kids' activities, or thinking about what you need to discuss with your husband. All this noise creates a “mental fog”—and mental fog is a fast track to spiritual exhaustion.

Silhouette In Prayer

The Soul’s Need for Stillness

How loud is your mind? Are you at peace, or does your brain run non-stop? Perhaps you’re replaying the last conversation you had at work, reviewing your kids' activity schedule, or thinking about what you need to discuss with your husband. All this noise creates a “mental fog”—and mental fog is a fast track to spiritual exhaustion.

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Daily, God places small reminders in our path to lead us back to Him. The question is: do we stop and notice, or are we too exhausted to see them?​

 

Let me start by saying: I am not a theologian. I am an ordinary person—a mom, a wife, and an artist. I have had mountain-top moments where I felt at the top of the world in my faith, and I have had seasons where I struggled deeply. I don’t feel I have any place to tell you exactly how to walk your journey. Instead, I’m simply going to share my thoughts, my struggles, and what I’ve learned along the way.

 

Psalm 139:7-10 says: "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? ... if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."

 

At the lowest part of my life, I felt as if everyone that I dedicated my life to had left me … this included God. Have you ever felt so utterly alone that God even felt absent? I would sit in the back row of the church, tears rolling down my face, asking God where he went. Why had he left me? Does that sound familiar? 

 

In Matthew 27:46, Jesus cried out: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He was quoting the first line of Psalm 22, written by King David centuries earlier. David experienced the highest highs—killing Goliath and becoming King—and the lowest lows, spending years hiding in caves while being hunted.

 

While I’ve never hidden in a cave, I relate to David’s deepest wound: Spiritual Silence.

 

David’s identity was built on his relationship with God. Feeling “forsaken” meant the one constant source of safety had gone quiet during his greatest hour of need.

 

Here is the irony. I felt God had left me, but looking back, I can see the stepping stones God placed in my path. They were there leading up to the darkness and continued to manifest while I was deep in it. He hadn’t left me. I just had so much mental fog from my life falling apart that I was deep in spiritual exhaustion. That mental fog put a cloud between my Father and me.  He was still there. I just couldn’t see him. 

 

The soul needs stillness to renew itself. Psalm 46:10 is an anchor in Christian mindfulness: "Be still, and know that I am God." But what does "Be Still" actually mean?

 

It’s easy to associate Be Still with a quiet meditation—especially in today’s world. In Hebrew, the word is raphah. In this context, it doesn't just mean to sit in silence. It carries the nuance of letting go, ceasing to strive, and relaxing the body. Think of dropping your hands to your sides and letting the weight of your arms pull your shoulders down. It is a command to “stop your busyness” or “drop your weapons.”

 

Understanding that context, as I look back, it is easy to see that my past attempts to Be Still didn’t give me peace because I was only trying to quiet my mind, not let go of the “weapons” of worry to allow God to give peace to my soul.

 

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2 Weeks of Rooted and Blooming

Anytime, Anywhere

The Science of Creative Meditation

In Exodus 31:2-11, “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent—the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand—and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.’” 

 

God gifts each of us with creativity, even if you don't think of yourself as “creative.” Most people think creativity is reserved for artisans, but even a mathematician must think creatively to solve a problem.

 

For me, the most creative moments come when I let go of the problem I’m trying to solve and turn my attention elsewhere. There is such a release when you can Be Still with your problems and let your creative spirit commune with God. 

 

How Creativity Heals the Brain 

Did you know that using your God-given creativity can lower your stress levels? Stress is often a product of “left-brain” over-analyzing. Creative activities force a shift to the right hemisphere. It’s hard for the brain to maintain a narrative of “I’m overwhelmed” when it is busy calculating the pressure needed for a color gradient or the curve of a line.

 

In my 52-week color meditation journal, Rooted and Blooming, I challenge you to color intricate petals as a way to “unfocus” your brain. This is a proven practice shown in a 2016 landmark study published in the journal Art Therapy, “Reduction of Cortisol Levels and Participants' Responses Following Art Making” by Girija Kaimal.

 

In the study, researchers measured the cortisol (the primary stress hormone) levels of 39 adults before and after 45 minutes of making art. 75% of participants showed a significant drop in cortisol levels after the session. 

 

Crucially, the study found that prior experience didn't matter. You don't have to be “good” at art to get the biological benefit; the act of creating is what triggers the physiological calm. 

 

The amygdala, the almond-shaped cluster in your brain responsible for the “fight or flight” response. When you are stressed, it’s hyper-reactive. 

 

Engaging in a repetitive, rhythmic activity like coloring or shading sends a signal to the amygdala that there is no immediate threat. Ultimately, focusing on the “micro-movements” of the hand, you shift your brain's resources away from the fear center and toward the prefrontal cortex (the rational, decision-making part of the brain).

 

The Three Movements

Matthew 6:28-29 says: “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”

 

I’ll admit: I am not a gardener. I love flowers, but I do not have a green thumb! I need flowers that are hard to kill. 

 

So, why focus on flowers? I’m so glad you asked. Flowers remind me of God’s presence. Being an artist, I might focus on a detail of a leaf overlapping another leaf in the sun in a completely different way than someone else. But overall, nature heals my heart. If I am stressed, my husband knows that taking me into nature with my camera for an hour will completely reset my mindset.  

 

As I started drawing the flowers in Rooted and Blooming I honestly didn’t know what I was going to do with them. My first thought was a coloring book, but the more I drew the more I felt God was pushing me to think further … deeper. Flowers so beautifully tie to scripture. 

 

In Rooted and Blooming, there are 26 themes tied to 26 flowers and verses. Here are three of my favorites:

 

Abundance (The Hydrangea)

The hydrangea holds a cluster of blooms on a singular stem. In my non-gardener opinion, the hydrangea is such a prolific flower because it adapts to its situation. Actually, I’ve learned that what we call petals are actually leaves that adapt color based on the amount of aluminum in the soil, which makes the ‘petals’ last longer than other flowers.  

 

2 Corinthians 9:8 states, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

 

  • The Lesson:
    2 Corinthians 9:8 tells us God can bless us abundantly. As we learn to adapt to what life throws our way, God provides “stepping stones” of mercy to help us navigate the current chapter.

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Learn the Art of Living in Abundance through creative meditation.

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Wisdom (The Allium)

Have you ever looked for the burning bush? Be honest, we all have, and when we don’t see it, we feel God no longer talks with man. Is that actually true?  

 

I’ve been to many churches that say God speaks to us through His Word - the Bible. I agree that God is giving us direction through His Word, but I believe God still converses with us in other ways as well. 

 

Have you ever felt conviction? 

 

Have you ever had an epiphany?

 

Have you ever dreamed of a solution to a problem?

 

Have you ever felt touched when no one is around? 

 

If we are practicing stillness, would we see the hand of God in these moments or shake them off as a coincidence?  

 

From a Biblical perspective, wisdom is much more than knowledge. Wisdom is divine insight that guides you to righteous living, humility, and a moral compass. Wisdom is a treasure, and we should seek it out through our relationship with God. 

 

The allium is a perfect example of Wisdom. Alliums are made up of hundreds of tiny flowers on a single stem. Growing high above the garden bed, their only goal is to seek out the light. 

 

God invites us to lift our eyes to him for our strength, wisdom, and growth. If you are in a period of decision-making, ask God for wisdom and then Be Still. 

 

  • The Lesson:
    James 1:5 says if we lack wisdom, we should ask God. Wisdom is more than knowledge; it is divine insight. Just as the allium seeks the sun, we must lift our eyes to “the Son” for our strength and growth.

 

Peace (The Cornflower)

The cornflower is a small but resilient flower. Now a staple in an English garden, but historically, they were considered a weed. They would grow in corn or wheat fields and were almost impossible to rid from agriculture.  

 

Cornflowers are the epitome of quiet strength. Regardless of current conditions, they thrive. 

 

The wind can snap the flowers around the cornflower, but the cornflower thrives in “unmanicured” moments and adapts to the wind rather than snapping.

 

Just like in Psalm 29:11, the cornflower finds peace in all circumstances. 

 

Next time, you are being pushed over by the wind of life’s storm, adapt by leaning on God. His strength will bring you peace.

 

  • The Lesson:
    Psalm 29:11 says the Lord blesses His people with peace. When you are being pushed by the storms of life, find peace by leaning into His strength.

 

The 14-Day Transformation Path

Whether you are using Rooted and Blooming or your own journal, I challenge you to a 14-day path:
 

  1. Days 1–7: Lean into the scripture. What does it mean? How does it tie to your life?

  2. Days 8–14: Reflect on how your perspective has evolved after a full week of focus.
     

The Morning Ritual 

I prefer the morning, but whatever time you choose, keep it consistent to make it sustainable.

Observation over Information 

 

This journey isn't about memorizing facts; it’s about seeing beauty. Slow down, breathe, and be still.

Messy Grace 

 

Life happens. If you miss a day, the flowers will still be there. Grace is built into this process.

 

Resources and Next Steps

Once you have mastered the basics of mindfulness, you can begin directing your energy toward specific life goals. A powerful application of these techniques is The Art of Living Abundance, where we use spiritual focus to manifest prosperity and gratitude."

  • The Supply List: Keep it simple—colored pencils, a favorite pen, and a humble heart.

  • The "Why": Think of Rooted and Blooming as a physical "stepping stone" to help you walk this path.

  • The Invitation: Who else in your world could use 52 weeks of deeper connection with God? To make it easy to share the journey, I offer a Buy One, Get One at 50% off so you can invite a friend along.

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52-Week Coloring Meditation Journal

Rooted and Blooming

Invite peace and curiosity into your spiritual life with Rooted and Blooming, an art-driven 52-week journal designed to help you slow down and reconnect with faith. Created by artist Michele Delcoure, this journal uses the intricate beauty of the natural world to make meditation on Scripture accessible and deeply personal.

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