Sometimes we get stuck, whether it's in the fear cycle that keeps anxiety-inducing thoughts circling our minds or in another type of cycle that makes us feel stuck, unable to move forward from our problems. I remember as a young mom feeling stuck and overwhelmed by anxiety and fear, and laundry. Yes, laundry. Maybe that … Continue reading Are You Stuck in the Fear Cycle with No Perceived Way Out?
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." —Isaiah 43:18–19 When the Lord called Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promised land, He … Continue reading Step 9: Let Go of Your Past and Embrace Your Purpose Today
Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” This is God’s promise to us! Are you believing and trusting in one moment, and in the next doubting and afraid—still easily knocked down by waves of fear? Maybe you’ve experienced a breakthrough from the grip of anxiety and … Continue reading Step 6: Experience Perfect Peace in God’s Presence
Surrender and breakthrough go hand in hand. First we surrender, then we experience breakthrough. But what if you’ve gone through all the steps, surrendered everything you can think of—and yet true freedom feels just out of reach? I know the struggle feels overwhelming, and you’ve been fighting the good fight. You feel the chains of … Continue reading Step 5: Believe—Jesus is Your Chain Breaker
I stared at the kitchen counter and sink stacked high with last night’s dirty dishes. Peeking into the dishwasher, I breathed a heavy sigh. It was full of dirty dishes, too! Quickly, I walked away to keep myself from becoming irritated by the mess, but there was no escaping my growing frustration. In the family … Continue reading Step 3: Take Captive Every Thought: Fear Is a Liar
I had a lightbulb moment at the beginning of my quest for the root cause of my struggle with anxiety and fear. “Would anyone like to close us in prayer?” Every week, my small group Bible study leader asked this question—and every week I dreaded it. Her request always made me feel so uncomfortable, as … Continue reading Step 2: Uncover Emotional Triggers By Excavating Your Past
My friend texted me Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m., "Silly question—I have extra tickets for the Star Wars Disneyland private event tonight. Would you guys want them for free? It goes until 1:00 a.m." Knowing my son is a Star Wars fanatic, and being it was the eve of May the 4th Be With You … Continue reading Mom, Do You Know You Are Perfectly Loved?
Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, is quoted as saying, "change is the only constant in life." When we consider all the moving parts of our lives—like homes, jobs, physical appearance, numbers on the scale, the amount of money in our bank accounts, the ebb and flow of the stock market, relationships, personal interests, responsibilities and commitments, … Continue reading Learning to Ride Waves of Change
Alone, I sat in the darkness of my bedroom bearing a heaviness I could not shake. Anxiety tightly gripping my chest. I know I can’t give up, I told myself. But I can’t keep going! Perhaps you’ve felt this way before, too. You’ve given it your all, but you’ve found it’s not enough to free … Continue reading From Living in Fear to Living Perfectly Loved
When I was a little girl, around ten-to-twelve years old, I was so self conscious of my body, that I always wore a t-shirt over my bathing suit to hide my body. Even around my family! I often said I didn’t want to go swimming in the pool or ocean, when really, I did! It … Continue reading The Bikini for the Body—Not, the Body for the Bikini