Proverbs 17:22, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Psalms 127:2, "It is useless to work so hard for a living, getting up early and going to bed late. For the LORD provides for those he loves, while they are asleep."

Think

Have you ever awakened with a Charlie horse or had severe muscle cramps? Involuntary contractions cause these painful spasms. Creative cramps are similar. Although they don't induce physical pain, they do cause a lot of mental frustration. So, what is a creative cramp? It's a sudden involuntary mental spasm. Our minds go blank, our thoughts stale from overthinking, and we can't seem to generate any new ideas. This normal occurrence can strike at work, in our relationships, or in our hobbies and other creative outlets. So, here are some tactics that help alleviate the agony of creative cramps:

• Do Nothing Nothing is underrated! We need unscheduled time to give ourselves a mental break. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor, and I will give you rest."
• Walk Walking gets our blood pumping. Nature and fresh air are great for getting our creative juices flowing. Psalm 19:1 says, "How clearly the sky reveals God's glory! How plainly it shows what he has done!"
• Sleep Take a power nap! Our most creative thoughts often come after rest. Psalms 127:2 tells us that God provides exactly what we need even as we sleep!
• Laugh There's a reason for the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine." Taking ourselves too seriously is draining; it "crushes our spirit and dries up our bones."

The next time you get a creative cramp, remember these four tactics, pray, and know that, although God appreciates hard work, He also wants you to enjoy life!

Act

Take a nature walk, get some fresh air, enjoy the beauty of creation, relax your mind, and listen for God's voice!

Pray

Dear Lord, Thank You for the beauty of nature - for wanting me to enjoy life and the gift of laughter. The next time I get a creative cramp, remind me to employ the tactics above and infiltrate my heart with the peace of Christ. Amen.