Your honesty and clarity are such a gift, Anna. It’s one of the many reasons I’m drawn to your writing, your creativity, your Spirit-led insight, and the way you speak truth with tenderness. Our hearts will always ache for more, chasing a shifting goalpost that never fully satisfies. But to be seen, known, and loved by God alone, that’s the only thing that truly matters. That’s everything. Thank you for pointing us back to Christ 🙏🏼
And I am one who is reading because you keep saying “yes” in obedience and “yes” despite what it costs you. I know it takes guts, and today—being new to Substack and not having started writing here quite yet—I have newfound courage to begin. I’m not sure how I even found you or subscribed because I only follow a few so far, but it’s becoming more clear that we are living parallel journeys and they are now intersecting here for purpose. Not for the accolades or the yearning for validation, but to share hearts and sync up with heavens heartbeat. I see you, Anna! Beyond grateful for this moment to see you and consider how I might join this journey on Substack and IG from a place of raw honesty without looking for my needs to be met by mere humans.
Actually, when we do it for Jesus - we may feel lonely but we're never alone. He is there. He's willing to share. He cares. I follow where He leads and though I make mistakes and find myself drifting some days, I know that all I need to do is reach for His hand and He'll guide me to a place I can understand. God bless you on your journey. Praying for our words to make a difference - yours and mine and all of us...
I love this! This is especially helpful for me, being someone who is just starting on this Substack journey...I've already noticed myself feeling that "always wanting more" thing. Writing from a "garden of solitude" is such a beautiful idea, I think I'll take that with me :)
Oh man, no matter how much we try to control it, the dopamine hits will always keep us wanting more, until and unless we are satisfied first by Him. I am with you, lets cultivate our garden of solitude and bless others from that place. 🌷
wow this is so relatable. Gaining more subscribers has actually sucked so much of the fun and joy out of the experience than I ever thought it would have. Thanks so much for sharing this and articulating something I've felt but had no idea how to put into words.
I stumbled into your space as a woman in Christian leadership who was thirsty. The drama of the world around was draining me dry and I needed refreshment. Your words were clear, light (while tackling heavy things), and gave me space to breathe. Truth has a way of doing that. Thank you for continuing.
Grammy 😭 thank you for taking the time to write this and for sharing a bit about your world. Putting real-life stories behind the 'view stats' helps me to stay focused on what God has purposed for this publication. Thank you for your encouragement and thank you for the work you do in leadership. It makes a difference 🧡
Sandy 🧡 Thank you for reading and thank you for sharing. We are all journeying together, all the way until the end, where we will see him face to face and breathe a sign of wonder knowing that it was all worth it.😭
At times, I find myself writing to escape my desires for validation (and many forms of it!)...the deep need for it keeps creeping in/projecting onto my creative work. And so my resentment from my unresolved-whatevers makes my work feel more stressful, lol.
So yes, and amen to Jesus being our validation, the One who loves us as we are - through and through. He is our Rest in our art. Thanks miss Anna. ☺️💕
Oh Jae, that was so profound. Yes when we hide from it, it kinda seeps out anyway! Adding so much more stress and so much more work!! What a killer and robber of joy 😭
But freedom is available. He is our rest AND our art ✨ cheering for you sis xx
It is going to be a continuous test right? To be really good it has to be vulnerable and real and that means getting hurt. 🤔 I am going to keep learning from you - thank you! 🙏🏽
yehhh probably haha! Every time God wants to trust us with more we will likely be tested. Our pride, our ego, our need for validation. I pray that I will be found building on rock and leaning on Him. Let's keep learning together 🧡
This is so true. You have to write/podcast for an audience of one. God's approval has to be what matters most. Otherwise, you do get bogged down and burnt out. I write/podcast for God and for that one person who may need what I have to offer. It gets hard sometimes because you want recognition but I am learning like you said that it is an empty, futile pursuit. Thanks for sharing.
Validation must come from God Alone; what other measure is reliable. Work for an audience of one. And many others will benefit in the process. GBU
Amen to that brother 🙏🏼 this is my hears desire. It may be a life long journey but it is the dream.
Your honesty and clarity are such a gift, Anna. It’s one of the many reasons I’m drawn to your writing, your creativity, your Spirit-led insight, and the way you speak truth with tenderness. Our hearts will always ache for more, chasing a shifting goalpost that never fully satisfies. But to be seen, known, and loved by God alone, that’s the only thing that truly matters. That’s everything. Thank you for pointing us back to Christ 🙏🏼
Kathy 😭 Thank you for this comment. Until the day we are face to face with Jesus, fully satisfied, may our words and lives always point to Him. 🧡
And I am one who is reading because you keep saying “yes” in obedience and “yes” despite what it costs you. I know it takes guts, and today—being new to Substack and not having started writing here quite yet—I have newfound courage to begin. I’m not sure how I even found you or subscribed because I only follow a few so far, but it’s becoming more clear that we are living parallel journeys and they are now intersecting here for purpose. Not for the accolades or the yearning for validation, but to share hearts and sync up with heavens heartbeat. I see you, Anna! Beyond grateful for this moment to see you and consider how I might join this journey on Substack and IG from a place of raw honesty without looking for my needs to be met by mere humans.
Thank you Liberty 🧡 for taking the time to encourage me and share your journey!
May He lead you all the way and may your words be powerful for breaking chains and bring light in Jesus name 🙏🏼 cheering for you!
Actually, when we do it for Jesus - we may feel lonely but we're never alone. He is there. He's willing to share. He cares. I follow where He leads and though I make mistakes and find myself drifting some days, I know that all I need to do is reach for His hand and He'll guide me to a place I can understand. God bless you on your journey. Praying for our words to make a difference - yours and mine and all of us...
Amen amen 🙏🏼 Thank you for reading and for encouraging me in my journey!
I love this! This is especially helpful for me, being someone who is just starting on this Substack journey...I've already noticed myself feeling that "always wanting more" thing. Writing from a "garden of solitude" is such a beautiful idea, I think I'll take that with me :)
Oh man, no matter how much we try to control it, the dopamine hits will always keep us wanting more, until and unless we are satisfied first by Him. I am with you, lets cultivate our garden of solitude and bless others from that place. 🌷
wow this is so relatable. Gaining more subscribers has actually sucked so much of the fun and joy out of the experience than I ever thought it would have. Thanks so much for sharing this and articulating something I've felt but had no idea how to put into words.
Tell me about it, then I realised I just needed to get over myself 😅.
Now I am searching for the sweet spot of fun and enjoyment because this is what I want to serve others with. Cheering for you as we figure this out.
I stumbled into your space as a woman in Christian leadership who was thirsty. The drama of the world around was draining me dry and I needed refreshment. Your words were clear, light (while tackling heavy things), and gave me space to breathe. Truth has a way of doing that. Thank you for continuing.
Grammy 😭 thank you for taking the time to write this and for sharing a bit about your world. Putting real-life stories behind the 'view stats' helps me to stay focused on what God has purposed for this publication. Thank you for your encouragement and thank you for the work you do in leadership. It makes a difference 🧡
This is why I keep reading your writings. ‘Soul Truths’! God bless you!
Thank you bro! Thank you for reading and being a consistent part of this community 🙏🏼😊
I definitely found my story in yours. And truthfully, your journey needs to become my own.🩷🙏🏻🩷
Thank you for sharing. 🩷😭🩷
Sandy 🧡 Thank you for reading and thank you for sharing. We are all journeying together, all the way until the end, where we will see him face to face and breathe a sign of wonder knowing that it was all worth it.😭
Amen! 🩷🙌🏻🩷
I love the honesty in this
Honestly/vulnerability is such an undervalued weapon for bringing about freedom! I knew I could keep writing if I wasn’t able to be honest about this.
Oh, this is much needed. Sigh.
At times, I find myself writing to escape my desires for validation (and many forms of it!)...the deep need for it keeps creeping in/projecting onto my creative work. And so my resentment from my unresolved-whatevers makes my work feel more stressful, lol.
So yes, and amen to Jesus being our validation, the One who loves us as we are - through and through. He is our Rest in our art. Thanks miss Anna. ☺️💕
Oh Jae, that was so profound. Yes when we hide from it, it kinda seeps out anyway! Adding so much more stress and so much more work!! What a killer and robber of joy 😭
But freedom is available. He is our rest AND our art ✨ cheering for you sis xx
It is going to be a continuous test right? To be really good it has to be vulnerable and real and that means getting hurt. 🤔 I am going to keep learning from you - thank you! 🙏🏽
yehhh probably haha! Every time God wants to trust us with more we will likely be tested. Our pride, our ego, our need for validation. I pray that I will be found building on rock and leaning on Him. Let's keep learning together 🧡
This is so true. You have to write/podcast for an audience of one. God's approval has to be what matters most. Otherwise, you do get bogged down and burnt out. I write/podcast for God and for that one person who may need what I have to offer. It gets hard sometimes because you want recognition but I am learning like you said that it is an empty, futile pursuit. Thanks for sharing.