by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed.D. @khutch0767
The last few years have felt like a whirlwind—world events that shake our sense of safety, unexpected family drama that tugs at our hearts, and even the vulnerable process of searching for a new church home. All of it adds weight to our souls. And as writers, that weight presses directly on the place where our creativity usually flows.
I’ve sat at my desk more than once, staring at a blinking cursor, wondering why the words felt out of reach. It wasn’t for lack of calling. It wasn’t for lack of desire. It was because everything around me and within me was loud. Too loud. Creative work requires margin, and I had very little of it left.
Maybe you’ve been there too.
We don’t talk about it enough, but soul-drain is real. Carrying too much for too long—news headlines, relational tension, unspoken expectations, church transitions, grief, or even good things that simply take too much space—quietly crowds out our ability to create.
And sometimes, God invites us into a harder kind of obedience: making room.
Not in theory, but in practice.
Not someday, but now.
The Hard Decisions That Heal Us
There comes a moment when we realize creativity can’t thrive in constant chaos—and neither can our spiritual life. Noise, distractions, and draining relationships pull us away from the One who fuels our words.
I had to face that reality when I realized I was running on fumes. I was saying yes to every family request, every ministry need, every drama-filled conversation that pulled me emotionally in ten directions. I said yes to activities that looked good on paper, but not all “good” things are “God” things for this season.
One day, I sensed the Holy Spirit whisper:
“You cannot hold what I’m giving you if your hands are full of everything else.”
That truth hit deep.
[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none” inject=”#Writing #Writinglife #BRMCWC”]Clearing Space for the Call: Renewing Creativity in Chaotic Times by @khutch0767 on @BRMCWC[/tweet_box]
So, I started making difficult cuts. People who drained instead of encouraged. Habits that numbed rather than restored. Activities that kept me busy but not fruitful. As uncomfortable as it was, every release made space for peace—and made room for creativity to breathe again.
Scripture affirms this pruning process. Jesus says, “Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2). Pruning is never painless. But it is purposeful.
Re-Centering Ourselves With God
At the heart of all renewal is returning to the Source.
Not just reading about God.
Not just talking about writing for Him.
But seeking Him with honesty and stillness.
Psalm 51:10 becomes our prayer:
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
When we quiet the noise—even briefly—God meets us there. He restores clarity. He redirects our focus. He reminds us why He called us to write in the first place. And slowly, creativity resurfaces like a long-awaited spring.
Five Practical, Spirit-Led Steps Toward Creative Renewal
- Take an honest inventory of your life.
Ask the Holy Spirit, “What is no longer serving my calling?”
Psalm 139:23–24 invites God to search our hearts and reveal what needs to change. - Set boundaries that protect your creative and spiritual life.
Your calling deserves space. Jesus Himself withdrew from crowds to pray (Luke 5:16). If He needed boundaries, so do we. - Replace draining habits with life-giving rhythms.
Swap constant scrolling, late-night stress, or people-pleasing with prayer, rest, and intentional solitude. Philippians 4:8 gives a template for refocusing our minds. - Reconnect with community that truly supports your calling.
Sometimes searching for a new church home or writing tribe leads us to people who speak life into our hearts. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). - Commit (or recommit) your writing to God. Daily.
Say, “Lord, these words are Yours.” Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” Creativity flows more freely when our work rests in His hands.
If you consistently network with other writers, you’ll meet those who’ve wrestled with burnout, battled distractions, and walked through messy seasons just like yours. And yet—they’re writing again. So can you.
When we clear space, God fills it.
When we prune, God grows fruit.
When we return to Him, He renews us—body, mind, and creative spirit.
Your calling hasn’t dimmed.
It’s simply waiting for room to breathe. Let God renew you, and the words will follow.
Author, speaker, educational consultant, and editor–Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed. D. has had her hand in leadership for many years. She loves speaking to groups and delivering messages with a quick wit and real-life stories. Katherine is a freelance writer/content editor, a content editor/writing coach for Iron Stream Media, and a sensitivity reader for Sensitivity Between the Lines. She is a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations (an online magazine for Christian writers), and her writing has been published in Guideposts. Her work in art/writing is distinguished by awards, including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022). She was a finalist in the Genesis Contest ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers/Romantic Suspense 2022). She is a finalist for the Claymore Award 2022 (Thriller Division) for the best-unpublished manuscript. She is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the board of the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 and is an art instructor and virtual exhibition specialist for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine is the host of the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel and prequel to her first general market thriller novel, “A Fifth of the Story.”
The Conversation
This is especially relevant for today’s writers. We are responsible for so many things now that writers of the past did not do. Platforms, marketing, newsletters, blogs, etc are necessary, we are told, but extremely time consuming. Because technology changes everyday, it’s a job in and of itself to keep up with the new procedures. Finding a balance is the goal, but it’s incredibly elusive. Thanks for sharing.