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Tag Archives: Anxiety

Boundaries: 2020 Edition

10 / 14 / 2010 / 14 / 20

Anna
Anna

Help!!! Can you talk? 

Anna
Virginia

Yes! What’s wrong?

Anna
Anna

Everything feels like a huge mess.

Anna
Virginia

Awww. I feel you! It’s such a weird time.

Anna
Anna

I’m so overwhelmed. I feel like I’m in a game of elementary school Dodge Ball and I can’t get out of the way fast enough. I keep getting hit and I just want the game to end already. I thought after 6 weeks of the kids being in school that this stressful feeling would be gone.

Anna
Virginia

Same, girl, same! Yeah, it sounds like more than just everyday stress.

Anna
Anna

Right. And I think in an effort to feel better, or “normal,” I’ve been looking to the wrong things for comfort (ahem, one more sweet coffee drink, please?)… but it never really fixes this feeling. ?

Anna
Virginia

Me too… I’ve so been there! I’ve eaten soo many Hershey Kisses…?so many metallic wrappers….and you’re right, it wasn’t enough. I think the issue is that we’re seeking information, which isn’t bad, but we’re absorbing it all, whether that’s the news or social media or our friends’ and families’ advice. I need walls to keep all that stuff from coming in and affecting me. Boundaries, basically. 

Anna
Anna

Hmm, that makes sense… letting too much in. I feel like I’m constantly being hit with all of the divisive issues right now, pressure to take sides, and disturbing information that I may or may not be able to trust — it’s there around every corner. 

Anna
Virginia

Yeah, exactly. There’s no resting place. I was finding that I was getting really restless, losing sleep, not feeling productive or connected to people, or God even. I was letting the world’s anxiety affect my inner peace. 

Anna
Anna

The world’s anxiety! ? That’s what I’ve been doing. And add to it our everyday “normal” problems, that are still there! Hmm… Remember that children’s song, “Be Careful Little Eyes, What You See?” ? Maybe we actually could start being careful about what we see and hear.

Anna
Virginia

I know that one. Kids’ songs offer the most wisdom.? But seriously — I think it’s true! I’m trying to notice what threatens my peace. I need to stop looking at and taking it ALL in.

Anna
Anna

Yes! And as we start to put some boundaries up for ourselves, we can trust God will help us find the peace we’re looking for. 

Anna
Virginia

Right. We can’t fix the world but we can put up some shields so we’re not constantly hit with all of the “dodgeballs” of life.

Scripture to Encourage You:

  • “But, Lord, you are my shield, my wonderful God who gives me courage.” (Psalm 3:3 NCV)
  • “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” (Proverbs 30:5 NIV)
  • “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” (Proverbs 2:-6-8 NIV)
  • “My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgement and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.” (Proverbs 3:21 NIV)
  • “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)

Reading and Resources to Come Alongside You:

  • “5 Ways to Find Peace When the Stress Just Keeps Coming” by Anna Brink
  • “5 Prayers for the Overwhelmed Mom” by Theresa Ceniccola
  • “Don’t Read Articles Like This” by Jon Acuff

Music to Inspire You:

  • “Glory” by Meredith Andrews
  • “The Space Between Us” by Shawn McDonald
  • “Hurry Up and Wait” by MercyMe
  • “O Be Careful, Little Eyes” by Cedarmont Kids

Ideas to Try:

  • Pre-arrange a calming activity if you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t sleep instead of staring at your phone. I (Virginia) recommend “Meditation Minis” — a podcast that offers directed meditations lasting about 10 minutes. 
  • Examine your nighttime routine. Find and replace a depleting activity (reading negative comments on social media) and replace it with an encouraging activity (regularly checking in on textingthetruth.com) or the fun of a DIY pedicure.
  • Examine your morning routine: What can you prepare the night before to reduce your stress? What can you delegate? I (Virginia) have my son make his own lunch; it has been glorious. 
  • On the subject of time management, another piece of advice I’m implementing is from “The Lazy Genius” Podcast. The principle is to examine your day. What tasks can you only do when you’re alone? What tasks can you do while the kids are home? For example, I can’t do focused writing when my kids are home. I can, however, do the dishes while they watch TV. Sometimes my kids and I spend time outside on the driveway: they ride their bikes and I fold the laundry. This principle reduces stress for me because it helps me prioritize my tasks throughout my day. 
  • Delete or rein in those time wasters on your phone – set up a designated time limit. You won’t regret it. 
  • Make time for your passions. What is calming to you? Reading, writing, listening to music and decluttering are things that I enjoy doing. This is not self-care talk. This is “essential to feed your soul and get out of your own head” stuff. 

*Note: The Texting the Truth team is all about grace for moms. No one expects you to do more or be more. More importantly, God does not expect you to try harder. He is readily available with the wisdom, grace and peace that you need. We’re here to offer practical suggestions. Use what works for you and leave the rest. 

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Peace Over Panic in a Pandemic

3 / 30 / 203 / 30 / 20


“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” 
John 14:27

Mic drop. I was reading yesterday in our Lent study (which has taken us through the book of John and cataloged Jesus’ life on earth), and I got to this verse and stopped. 

Jesus shared these words with His disciples just a few chapters before He was nailed to the cross. He was preparing His disciples for a difficult time and knew they needed to experience peace.

The amazing thing about Jesus’ words is they transcend thousands of years and are still timely for us today. Peace. Jesus says He gives peace. And then follows that up with saying we do not need to be troubled or afraid. I think we all could soak in this encouragement during this season of quarantine.

Sometimes experiencing peace feels a lot harder to do than other times. And right now I’ve struggled to find peace in the midst of so much apprehension going on in the world. I find myself scrolling my newsfeed or checking my news app and then my mind shifts into panic mode. 

I admit I have felt stressed when I have left the bubble of my house. Yesterday we ventured to Costco. I haven’t made a trip out to a store in a while and I could feel my anxiety level rise anticipating the trip. My mind began conjuring up theories of how we could possibly contract the virus just so we could get a package of TP. 

Truthfully, being at the store didn’t produce peace. People wearing masks and gloves reminded me times are different right now. My sensitive heart could hardly handle the stress on everyone’s faces.

When I got back in the car after that trip I told the Lord that I needed Him to give me some peace because I couldn’t be so on edge like this for the next several months. I intellectually knew I didn’t need to panic, but it felt like that was how everyone was reacting, so maybe I should follow the trend. (Not exactly healthy, I know…)

And that is when the verse I read a few days earlier popped back in my head. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

I realized after my panicked errand yesterday that I need to be filling my mind and heart with truth to combat the fears that are rising within me. Like for instance, when I got home, I wrote the encouraging words of John 14 on my chalkboard in the kitchen to remind myself daily. 

How about instead of feasting my mind on news and newsfeeds, I turn my eyes to what God says?

It is not lost on me that Jesus said He doesn’t give peace like the world gives. If we’re watching the news or scrolling our newsfeeds, we are told we will find peace when we are done sheltering in place or when a vaccine is made for COVID-19. 

But can we find peace in the midst of a pandemic? Or a quarantine? Or the unknown? 

Jesus says YES. He tells us to not let our hearts be troubled. Now, that doesn’t mean we never have concern. Or we don’t take appropriate precautions or educate ourselves. But I believe Jesus’ words are encouraging us to not live in fear. To not let the fear consume us. To keep a steady diet of truth.

For me to not let my heart be troubled, I’m going to try to fill myself up with what God says about peace. I have begun searching my Bible for encouraging verses that bring me peace. I wanted to share them with you too. When my fear kicks up in the days ahead, these are the words I am going to return to. What about you? What else would you add to this list?

Holding onto peace together,

Michelle 

 

  • “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3

 

  • “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

 

  • “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

 

  • “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

 

  • “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs on your head are numbered. So, don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29

 

  • Also a song I have been playing over and over: Peace Be Still by The Belonging Co.

 

 

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