Feeling Anxious?
Anxiety sucks. Literally. It sucks your energy; it literally sucks the life out of you. It sucks your perspective; your ability to see things clearly and logically. It sucks your priorities; stealing your focus away from your God-given gifts and blessings.
We weren’t made to live like this. We weren’t made to “do it alone.” We weren’t created to carry the load of life.
We have a Creator who is bigger, stronger, and more powerful than all the anxiety and all the man-made fears that are past, present, and future.
You’ve probably heard the saying that goes something like “worrying about tomorrow only takes away the joy of today.” That all seems hunky dory- I mean, who wants to worry? I get that it’s not easy; it’s a lot easier said than done. Anxiety is a trap. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Scripture All the Live-Long Day
If you are feeling anxious or worried about current events, scripture is a great way to combat those feelings. I find great comfort knowing that the same passages that helped Paul are available to help me too. (I’m likely not facing shipwreck, jailing, flogging, or torture anytime soon, so if these helped Paul, they probably can help me too.)
Not a Lot of Time to Read Your Bible?
I completely understand that there are seasons of life where it becomes harder to find time to read your Bible for extended periods of time. Anyone who has taken care of a newborn or has worked long days and nights, knows this to be true. But I always check myself- if I have time to look at Facebook or Instagram, watch something on TV, or look at a magazine, I have time to spend reading the Bible.
When life feels extra-busy, I use the following ways to stay connected to my Creator; the One who tells me “not to worry.”
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Listen to Music
I love music. I can’t remember a time when I haven’t enjoyed music. I get such comfort and peace from song lyrics. I have had deeply personal and prophetic moments that occurred around music. (I tend to believe that God can use anything to get the attention of His children. I’m not saying that God met me during M.C. Hammer’s “Hammer Time,” but I also wouldn’t be so bold as to say He couldn’t or wouldn’t.) So whatever music you are letting your ears hear, be ready and willing to really hear if God is speaking to you through it. (If you don’t feel a connection with God in the music you are listening to, maybe it’s time to try something new- there are so many ways to listen to music for free! Amazon Music (free for Prime Members), Pandora, Spotify, etc.
Gratitude Journal
Gratitude is a daily practice that can make a huge impact on the way you perceive things in your life. Writing down 3 things that you are grateful for and 3 things you are excited about each day is a wonderful way to train your mind to look for the good. While it’s good to mentally think about these things, I challenge you to write them down for the next month. (If you want a great resource for this, I use a Panda Planner and love it!)
Meditate on Scripture
If you believe the Bible to be true, then you trust in the power of its words. Write a favorite verse on a notecard. Place the notecard someplace you will see it often. Maybe it’s under your cup and whenever you pick your drink up, you read the verse and meditate on it for a few seconds. This helps to shift your focus from self to God. Worrying is not something we are supposed to practice. Tell that to any mother, right? But continually re-focussing on God and scripture is a powerful tool to help re-center our mind to what is true. A great article on this is found here by The Gospel Coalition.
Walk
Everyone needs to find something that they can do easily and quickly to recenter their minds and heart. Walking and praying is something that helps me. Know yourself and what helps you cope with stressful situations. Do you need to paint? Do you need to quilt? Craft? Workout? Find something that you can do to de-stress and turn the focus off of anxiety or worry.
Free Printables to Uplift Your Anxious Heart
I am a self-professed textual art fan. I love to make DIY signs with Bible verses, song lyrics, hymns, or funny phrases. They lift my heart and make me smile. I’m wondering if seeing things around your home like this is the same for you? I created a series of 4 floral printables that can help you focus on the God who loves and cares for you and not on the circumstances that you might find yourself surrounded by.
We Are All In This Together
What’s that saying about the future? Something like: “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future.” May you hold firmly to this truth and know that you are loved and that, girl, you can do hard things. You’ve got a fierce spirit of resiliency within you. Praying for you!
Want More DIY Sign Ideas?
- How to Make a Giant Wood Star Sign (for FREE)
- Cheater Method for Making those Fancy Signs You See Everywhere
Evelyn says
Thank you Morgan for your generous heart to share your work “freebies” to people like me who finds joy in creating and crafting without burning a hole in my pocket. God bless you and may the Lord multiply your giving and pour it on your lap with a double portion. Blessings and hugs.
Morgan says
Thanks for your kind words, Evelyn. (What a pretty name!) I love making these and am so glad you enjoyed them!