Playlist:
- “Take It All Back” by Tauren Wells, We The Kingdom & Davies
- “Still Waters (Psalm 23)” by Leanna Crawford
- “Let Go, Let God” by Jack Cassidy
- “Have Your Way” by Katy Nichole
- “No Survivors (feat. Skillet)” by Jeremy Camp
First off, thank you for making it to part 3. Honestly, if there is just one of you or if there are 100+ of you, you are here for a reason and that brings me so much joy!
I left off in part 2 talking about the need for God and community. I shared how God worked through a church service and even a Christian audiobook to push me to take a few important steps
- submit a prayer request, and
- inquire about a mentorship program and bible study
I also shared how a woman from church helped get me connected with both – and recommended a wonderful EMDR therapist.
First step: talk to someone.
When we connect with people, things start opening up. New ideas come to mind. Doors open that you would have never found on your own.
I tried to find a therapist on my own and it backfired. I reached out to one therapist and when that failed, I didn’t try again.
I tried to look for connection by looking on my church’s website, but I let excuses, fear and doubt cloud me from actually pulling the trigger. Reaching out to someone, anyone can help hold you accountable and stop that fear or doubt dead in their tracks.
I’m still in it – but I’m not alone
I’m going to be honest, I am still in the thick of it. In the thick of anxiety, worry, fear, healing, all of it.
I haven’t found some magic way to “cure” this. But what I have found is something even greater:
Hope. Support. Community.
I have found a mentor that I can talk to about anything. I get some of the best ideas from her that help me with parenthood, managing my social calendar, date nights with my husband, figuring out the next steps of my career or her simply listening to my latest health anxiety thing I panicked over.
I’ve found a mom’s bible study where the simple act of gathering with other moms like me can flip my entire mindset or mood for the day.
I’ve found a therapist who meets me where I’m at and has helped me understand what my body is physically doing when I am under stress and anxiety.
These are things that fill up my cup. These are things I was missing trying to handle life in general on my own.
God never intended us to do this alone
God did not intend for us to handle life alone. Yes, He wants us to come to Him. To talk to Him. To lay all our burdens at His feet.
But He also calls us to support and encourage one another.
As it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing”
Or in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up”
Or in Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
God intended for us to connect with each other. To love each other. To help each other.
He didn’t just create Adam and leave it at that. Genesis 2:18 says: “The LORD God said, ‘it is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him’”
My encouragement to you
Today, I encourage you to find someone.
If you attend church, submit that prayer request and see where it leads.
If you don’t have a church but you’ve thought about finding one, ask around for recommendations. You might be surprised by how quickly God puts the right people in your path.
If neither of those apply to you, start with someone else: a trusted coworker, friend, family member, neighbor – anyone safe.
Great things can happen when you let your guard down with the right person/people.
When we can take off this mask and show our true self.
I know I was getting sick and tired of wearing this mask of “I’m fine.”
Honestly, I have tried to move away from saying “I’m good, how are you?” in response to people because 9 times out of 10, I’m not good. If I’m just “ok” then that’s good with me.
You might be reading this thinking, wait… aren’t you supposed to be helping us? what do you mean you’re not good?
I’m here to tell you: I am still a work in progress and that’s ok.
Just because I have done x,y,z doesn’t mean my anxiety is gone. It doesn’t mean I’m full of joy and peace. I am still learning to let go and let God.
I am still learning to put my faith and trust in Him FULLY. To stop acting like I am the one that is in control.
God doesn’t promise a life with zero troubles. But He does promise us He will be right there with us through it all. That is what gives me hope, joy and peace.
At least until I believe the next set of lies the enemy tries to throw my way and I spiral…if I’m being honest.
The bottom line
The main thing I want you to take away from this is that through all the tools God has lined up for me, I can better handle those anxiety spirals, it doesn’t make them disappear. I am far more equipped to handle those spirals than before.
Between the community He placed in my life and staying consistent in His Word – devotionals, Bible study, Christian audiobooks, Christian books and worship music – I can call on His strength when I’m weak.
I can return to truth when my mind is trying to convince me of lies.
And I can tell you this: He gets me through every. single. time.
Even when it doesn’t feel like I’ll make it through the storm… He calms the waters.
At the beginning of each of these blog posts I’ve included various Christian songs that got me through each stage. Below I am including some of my favorite Christian books that have been life changing for me as links for purchase!
Love Slows Down: How to Keep Anger and Anxiety from Ruining Life’s Relationships by Joel Malm
Winning the War in Your Mind by Craig Groeschel
Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen
Are You Really Ok? By Debra Fileta
Live Fearless: A Call to Power, Passion and Purpose by Sadie Robertson