Fear

Hi

God won't punish for not using your voice for God

That is not the God that loves me and you

My mom brought me to a church at age 10. I wasn't taught God's love, and when I sinned, I feared God would send me to hell. I can't sing but I do hum. My grown children give me compliments. They said it makes them happy. I use to be jealous of others, but realized I don't want to be those people. I totally dislike my OCD but God has blessed me other ways. I have alot of fear and uncertainty but I am glad I'm me.

Breathe in and out :) God loves everyone and he has a plan for everyone. Everything in your life is planed by him. He will not and never ever be upset with you not singing or not using that talent. I see that it is said that if you have a certain talent you should use it to bless those around you. But you don’t have to use that talent to do anything you don’t want to do. God will not be upset with you if you use it or don’t use it.❤️

Totally understandable why you'd internalize that. With all due respect to your mom, it's absolutely nonsense. I know we don't normally want to logic our way out of OCD but I feel like it makes sense to encourage you to not follow the "rules" that OCD is giving you. If you have a talent, especially one that brings music to others and joy to you, there's no logical reason to hide it away. If God gives gifts to people, there's no reason to think it shouldn't be shared. Consider the professional singers who make a lifelong career out of the talent they've been given... how does she explain that? Did God not give them the gift? Most of them pass away before losing their musical talent. You have value because you're a person, not just because of your talent. Your brother has talent too, maybe you can collaborate! Nobody can replace you. Anyway, keep moving towards your values. If singing brings you happiness and joy that you can share with others, please do. Tell OCD to hit the road - chances are you'll keep your voice, small chance we are wrong about it... take that uncertainty and do what makes you happy 🥰

These kinds of statements bother me to no end. People *only* say this about art because they have this romantic idea about God putting a talent in you and then you’re “just good at it” and you don’t have to work at it. Which is a very limiting view on talent as a whole. There are many talents and everyone has some. Should everyone only use their skills and talents for talking about God? The world would stop working. It’s also a very limiting view on what brings honour to God. You didn’t specify what religion you’re referring to, but in the Bible it says: “Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31) - This includes *everything*. Not just singing. But everything. Eating, drinking, travel, cleaning, cooking, gardening, taking care of your kids, school, your work. Everything. You can do really mundane things and thank God for them, do them to the best of your ability, like you’re doing it for God. That doesn’t mean you can’t sing about mundane things in your life and you should only sing about faith. Have you ever heard someone say that you can use a talent for math, making clothes or teaching only for God? No, but for some reason people view art forms differently. But in the end, it’s an activity just like everything else. I’m making a comic and had these comments before: “is it about God?” And frankly: no. It’s not. But since I’m a christian that does influence my storytelling and the messages in my stories. I might make one later, but I do it because it’s what I want to tell. Not because people try to guilt trip me into making “christian” comics (which I def. don’t want to do). But I do believe my comic brings glory to God because I’m using (honing and practising) my talent and I also bring happiness and hope to people through my stories and that is good. I have had 1.5 years of illness that prevented me from drawing and writing, so yes…you could theoretically “lose” your ability to sing. But God made you like you are and it gives Him joy to see you use it. I personally don’t believe in an image of God where He punishes you for every fault you make. The God of the Bible is kind, full of mercy and He send Jesus to atone for our sins. But I don’t believe using your talents in places outside of church or whatever is a sin. All people do that, all the time.

Lol sorry for the text wall.