Gardening for Mental Health

Gardening for Mental Health

by | May 14, 2021 | Anxiety

Gardening for Mental Health

Whether it’s been medically diagnosed or not, I think we moms all feel some anxiety symptoms from time to time. If you’re anything like me, “feeling some anxiety from time to time” sounds like the understatement of the year. Can I get an AMEN?!

 

No matter what type or level of anxiety you have, there are many simple activities that can help you combat anxious thoughts. Gardening is one of these anxiety-relieving activities!

 

Let’s take a quick break so I can make something clear. You do not HAVE to enjoy gardening. If you try gardening now or have tried it in the past, and you hate it….don’t force it. No one is required to enjoy gardening, and there are many other ways to improve your mental health.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

That being said, there are many types of gardens and ways to add gardening for mental health into your life. Perhaps you are a stay-at-home mom and want to make time for the care of hundreds of plants in your farm town yard. Maybe you would prefer a few herbs in your kitchen windowsill or succulents in your bathroom. If you don’t have time or space for a huge complicated garden, that’s ok! There are many types of gardens that can fit your lifestyle. You’ve got to decide how much you can do and make time for it.

 

Your local bookstore, library, and the internet are full of gardening resources to fit your lifestyle. Here is a great blog post about gardening in small spaces.

 

Tailoring your garden to realistically fit your life is an important part of the gardening process. You don’t want to add MORE anxiety instead of relieving the anxiety you already have.

 

Here are a few ways gardening can help improve mental health and reduce anxiety symptoms.

Gardening is Grounding

 

Being “grounded” isn’t only what happened when you get in trouble with your parents, it can also be used to describe something or someone who is sensible and well balanced. Doesn’t that sound lovely? So, what about gardening is so grounding? While working on your garden, your thoughts are focused on that one task. Your hands are kept busy with simple tasks. Gardening shows and encourages hope in the future by giving us something to care for in the future.

One negative anxiety symptom is called “racing thoughts”. Racing thoughts are consistent and intrusive thoughts that “race” through your head quickly and in rapid succession. These thoughts can make you feel agitated, anxious, and on edge. Yuck! As females and exhausted moms, it is so difficult to properly express our emotions while having racing thoughts. We struggle to find the right words to explain our anxiety. We feel guilt and judgment about our uncontrollable anxiety symptoms. While gardening, we cope with our hands instead of having to work through problems with words. You can’t lecture a tomato plant to stop being dehydrated. You can’t explain to your soil how to be more nutritious and expect it to happen automatically. Using your hands to accomplish important tasks interrupts racing thoughts. Interrupting racing thoughts will lower your anxiety symptoms.

Some good bacteria found in soil can actually help lower depression and anxiety symptoms. Some studies have shown Mycobacterium vaccae, a common harmless soil bacteria, to work with our brains to produce serotonin. Serotonin is essentially the hormone in our bodies that promotes feelings of well-being, happiness, and stabilizes our mood. Getting dirty outside can actually help us feel happy. God sure is amazing at His creation!

 

Activity and Sunshine While Gardening

Vitamin D and fresh air are both so vital when it comes to treating anxiety symptoms. Growing up in Orange, California, I never lacked sunshine or time outside in the fresh air. Since then I’ve lived in both Arizona and now Illinois and I’ve learned….it’s a lot more difficult to get enough sunshine and fresh air in areas with harsher weather and seasons. We have to be creative. Enter….gardening! Gardening gives you reason and purpose to be outside in the sunshine and fresh air as much as possible during the sunshine seasons. 

Hope for the Future Improves Mental Health

During both World Wars, governments encouraged citizens to plant “victory gardens” to help with food shortages around the world. That tradition has stayed with us and is still happening today. Although a pandemic is much different from wartime, I’ve seen and heard about many victory gardens being started in the last few years. It shows that we have hope for the future and allows us to be part of a community moving forward together. 

Some garden plants REALLY test our patience when planning for the future. In my younger years, I would skip over any plant that didn’t produce A LOT and IMMEDIATELY. Isn’t that what we all want? Instant results, instant gratification. When our hearts are truly set on hope for the future, we start moving away from needing instant gratification. Rhubarb can’t be eaten in its first year of production.  Some berries produce little the first year but baskets and baskets the following years. Avocado trees started from seed can take up to 10 years to bear fruit. Okay okay…that avocado business is a little extreme, but you get my point. When we let go of the need for instant gratification we show hope for the future. And hope for the future relieves anxiety symptoms. 

Gardening Shows Jesus

 

There are so many gardening references in the Bible I really should write a series on them. Oh, wait….I DID! This last Easter season, I published 4 blog posts based on gardening references. That is just the tip of the iceberg in biblical gardening references, but it’s a good start.

Whether you start your garden from seeds, purchase partially grown plants at the store, or stand back and watch as your hired gardeners work on your landscaping, it’s easy to see Jesus in gardening. God’s incredible creation is shown to us in this seemingly plain process. 

Mindfulness and Mental Health

 

Mindfulness is known as being present in the current moment without judgment. Society tries to promote mindfulness, we see it everywhere. But there is no product or pill that can force us to practice mindfulness. WE have to MAKE it happen! Try putting yourself in a situation to promote true mindfulness. As moms….that is brutally difficult. We are taking care of 100 things at a time. While working on one task we feel the weight of all the other tasks we could be working on. That’s enough stress and anxiety to drive a person mad. 

Gardening is a great way to center yourself enough to receive some anxiety symptoms. While you garden….only garden. That is your only task for that moment. Pay attention to your plants and their current condition. Look at all of the different shades of green and other brighter colors presented to you in your garden. Grab some soil and observe its color, texture, smell, and other unique qualities. Talk to your plants, you can trust them with your deepest darkest secrets. While gardening you are not only allowed to focus solely on gardening, you are encouraged to do so. Gardening promotes mindfulness and mindfulness relieves anxiety symptoms. More great reasons explore gardening for mental health!

 

Sense of Achievement

 

We moms don’t always receive accolades and we sure as heck don’t get a paycheck for our mom and household duties. Gardening is a way to physically see your work and have a sense of achievement. That will boost your confidence and self-esteem and then BAM! Your anxiety symptoms are lower and less. Having a sense of achievement for yourself is yet another way to garden for mental health. 

No matter what you choose to plant and care for, you will harvest health in more ways than one. In gardening, we literally see the fruits (and veggies) of your labor. Growing flowers add color and beauty to your surroundings and make great cut bouquets. Some flowers are even edible! Growing an herb or tea garden can add flavor and health benefits to your foods and drinks. Choose fruits and veggies you and your family enjoy, research if your chosen plants grow well in your area, and enjoy growing seasons full of natural and preservative-free health benefits provided by YOUR hard work. 

Have you ever tasted a fresh tomato right off the vine? It’s unlike any store-bought tomato. Store-bought tomatoes must travel to selling locations in refrigerated vehicles to extend and preserve freshness. Refrigerating a tomato actually depletes that tomato of a lot of its taste. That is why your store-bought tomatoes will never taste like a fresh non-refrigerated tomato!

Gardening Community 

 

Gardening for mental health is greatly enhanced by many community-building options. Being part of a community can lower your anxiety symptoms!  When you engage with a group of people about a common interest, you will feel understood, validated, and extra passionate. 

Enjoy your gardening time alone if you prefer. Productive alone time works well when trying to lower your anxiety. Make time to garden with your kids or spouse if that is enjoyable for you. Gardening is a great way to bond as a family. Are you proud of your garden? Host garden parties ad invite your guests to share their family gardening history. Join gardening groups on social media channels. Look for local plant swap and seed swap events. Eventually, share your produce and cut flowers with your friends and family. The world of gardening can provide a great community for you to be part of.

Here is a list of some online garden communities to join.

 

Move Beyond Perfectionism and Control

As moms, we often crave control and perfection. Life would be easier if we had more control and perfection, right? Well, maybe. But that isn’t always possible. Gardening teaches us to roll with nature’s punches and give up ideas of control and perfection.

Sure, you control what you plant and where you plant it, but once those plants are in the soil…quite a bit of your control disappears. Most plants spread and stretch themselves to the perfect position to reach maximum sunshine. I like to keep invasive herbs like mints in pots because they will spread and spread until the whole world is a giant mint plant. I’ve read about bamboo plants taking over an entire property. We have zero control over the weather, that last frost in early springs is unpredictable. Wind can beat your plants up pretty badly if there is no plant protection. In gardening, it’s not possible to be perfect or be in complete control. Perhaps through gardening, we can learn to let go of perfectionism and control in other areas of our lives as well.

Much like most things in life, gardening is learned by trying and getting your hands dirty. It can be enjoyable to read and research the best gardening techniques, but don’t let that stop you from TRYING. Gardening skills are learned and improved by spending time getting experience and learning from mistakes. Life skills are also learned that way. If you enjoy gardening or have been wanting to try it lately, give it a shot! Gardening for mental health is a simple way to ease your anxiety symptoms. Try gardening, enjoy gardening, and share your gardening with others!

Is Lent a Celebration?

Is Lent a Celebration?

by | Mar 4, 2022 |

Why do we say “Happy Ash Wednesday” when Ash Wednesday focuses on death? Why do we announce that we “celebrate” the season of Lent? Have you ever wished someone a “Happy Good Friday”? It must seem a little odd to be celebrating death and darkness. Death is...

Bible Reading Plans for Moms

Bible Reading Plans for Moms

by | Jan 27, 2022 |

In 2011 I traveled to Kauai, Hawaii, for a two-week vacation with my mom and Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt. I had just finished vocational nursing school and my grandpa had some epic connections with property owners in Hawaii when he was alive. I will forever be...

Justified By His Grace: Romans 3

Justified By His Grace: Romans 3

by | Oct 11, 2021 |

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Justification By His Grace: Romans 3:23-24 One of the key passages that was involved in the Reformation was Romans 3:23-24. St. Paul writes, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are...

A Prayer for Political Anxiety

A Prayer for Political Anxiety

by | Jan 20, 2021 | Anxiety

Almighty and Most Merciful God, Our Heavenly Father,

 

All power and authority comes from You,

 

You establish order, justice, and peace through civil government.

 

I am apprehensive about the future, when there is so much uncertainty about the peace and safety of our nation.

 

I’m worried about all the divisions that politics can cause between our communities and families.

 

I am tired of the constant fighting and arguing that happens over politics. 

I pray that You would bless all of our elected and appointed officials with Your wisdom

 

I pray that You would calm our hearts and minds.

 

I pray that You would heal our divisions and repair what is broken.

 

I pray that You would forgive my sins, especially where I have been part of the problem and not the solution. Forgive me for letting the outside world disrupt the peace of my own home. 

 

I pray that You would bring peace, justice, and prosperity to a nation deeply divided and struggling.

 

Into Your hands I commend myself, my family, friends, neighbors, and especially the nation in which we live,

 

That we may serve You without fear and care for our families in peace and security. Amen.

6 Ways to Shine on Social Media

6 Ways to Shine on Social Media

by | Jan 8, 2021 | Anxiety, Mom Life

virtual connect

Is it just me, or does it seem like each time social media calms down….something else happens to stir the pot again? I’m not the only one seeing this, right? Dramatic global and national events continue to cause upset, polarization, division, and some really dark seasons on social media. It can be so easy to get dragged into the muck of the constant internet battles we see so often these days. 

 

So, as Christians, what can we do about it? Should we banish all forms of social media from our lives? Dramatically announce our departure from a given platform and deactivate our accounts? I suppose we could do that. But there are a few other options for shining the light of Jesus on social media. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for each of us nor for every situation, but these six tips for shining on social media can be used to keep on shining even when your social feeds seem darker than ever. 

 

Post About YOUR Life

 

Sharing other people’s posts on social media can come in handy at times. You may want to share a good blog post or funny parenting meme. Perhaps you like to share your church’s live stream service or a link to your new favorite book. That can be wonderful! Make sure you are also posting about your own life on your social media feeds. 

 

Many friends and family members use social media to keep in touch with each other, and those people want to see your life. Do you have a perfectly staged and edited family portrait? Great, post it! Did you snap a photo of your living room’s post-Christmas disaster? YAS, post it! Using social media to post about your own life is not self-centered. That is what it’s for! 

 

When you focus on posting about your own life and begin to interact with friends and family in a positive way on social media, the social media algorithms will begin to flood your feeds with those kinds of posts. The magical social media algorithm…..you take in what you put out!

 

Choose Your Words Wisely

We live in a culture that loves to vent. “Let it all out there”, we think to ourselves. We say things to excuse our public venting like, “I just had to get that off my chest.” I get it. There are more than a few bothersome things out there that sometimes we just want to get rid of. Here’s the big question, though. Does airing your grievances on social media truly help you to process the difficult feelings and emotions you’re dealing with? In my observation and experience, it doesn’t. 

 

While the initial rush of “really letting them have it” is exhilarating, more often than not it leads to further conflict and further frustration. Let’s face some difficult truths here. Not everyone on your friends list or feed has the same relationship with Jesus that you do. Not everyone thinks about every single topic the way that you do. And yet all of us are convinced that our thinking is right…otherwise, we wouldn’t think that way, right? 

 

You, dear sister in Christ, are not like everybody on your feed. We can so easily fall into the habit of mimicking the behaviors we see online without recognizing that our word choice and our reactions, both online and IRL, have higher stakes than we might remember at first. You’re marked by the Name of Jesus. Your words and your actions reflect to the world what Christians are like and by default reflect what God is like. 

 

This is one of the reasons Paul says in Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” While Paul lived in a time before the internet, I highly doubt that if he were here today that he would exclude the words that come out of our collective keyboards from this exhortation. Words matter. Words can bring grace, words can heal, and words can harm and tear down, no matter what medium they’re transmitted through. 

 

Choose your words carefully, because for better or worse, people are getting an impression of Jesus through them, and an impression of Christians too. 

send mail

Don’t Say Anything

 

Everything said must be true, but not everything true must be said. My husband says this often, yet I still need constant reminders. Why is it so hard for me to remember? Probably because I am a dramatic and emotional human, ha!

 

In the last year I have received some versions of this question about 20 times:

 

“Amy, one of my Facebook friends made a post about something I disagree with. I know I have to reply to be a good Christian, can you help me argue with love?”

 

My first reaction is “Yes, girl, tell me about it and lemme at them!” But moments later the Holy Spirit always takes over. Let me tell all of you this right now:

 

You do not have to argue on social media to be a good Christian. In fact, we Christians should pray for discernment about this stuff. You may find that the appropriate response to a public social media post is no response. Say it with me, “not arguing does not equal not Christian”. Sometimes we just need to roll (our eyes) and scroll (past the post). 

 

The more important the topic is, the less likely that discussing it on social media will lead to a positive outcome. Some of this requires face-to-face discussion, built on a platform of years of friendship and mutual understanding. One of my husband’s seminary professors said recently, “Discussing important topics on Social Media is like doing brain surgery with a chainsaw.” I can assure you that your Christian witness is not lacking simply because you kept scrolling past an inflammatory post.  

 

Know When to Bail

 

If you find yourself in a heated conversation on social media, it’s extremely difficult to simply stop participating. The overwhelming feelings of emotion and anxiety can rush in like an uninvited heatwave. Mommas, there is still an opportunity to shine on social media amidst these frustrating situations. 

 

If you find yourself arguing on social media, allow yourself to take a step back. Go do something else for 15-20 minutes without your phone or computer. Take a walk, do the dishes, bake some cookies, play a game with your kids, or find someone you trust to talk to about it in real life.

 

Guard yourself against harmful social media argument trends happening all over the internet. When these things are used against you, there is no further fruitful way to carry on a meaningful and beneficial conversation. If you slip up and use one of these harmful tactics, take a moment to rethink your interaction and consider an apology. 

church online

Here are a few harmful tactics as described by online dictionaries:

 

Whataboutism

The technique or practice of responding to an accusation or difficult question by making a counteraccusation or raising a different issue.

 

Straw Man Fallacy

A straw man fallacy occurs when someone takes another person’s argument or point, distorts it, or exaggerates it in some kind of extreme way, and then attacks the extreme distortion as if that is really the claim the first person is making.

 

The False Dichotomy Fallacy

The false dichotomy fallacy depends on an “either-or” argument: you provide only two options and force people to choose between them. In fact, neither choice may be the best, and there may be many other options available. But the argument makes it look like the suggested option is the only feasible one.

 

Non Sequitur (that does not follow) 

When the conclusion does not follow from the premises.  In more informal reasoning, it can be when what is presented as evidence or reason is irrelevant or adds very little support to the conclusion.

 

While this list covers only a fraction of the problematic arguments happening on social media, this list can start to show you which conversations to avoid or remove yourself from. Understand that there are many unstable underlying reasons people argue on social media.

 

Take a Break

 

While social media can have many benefits, sometimes you might just need to take a break. I encourage you to try the other tips before deleting your Facebook, but if you feel you need a social media break, go for it! The best way to truly take a social media break is to “leave” quietly. If you truly need a social media break, making a post about that break is going to invite more digital interaction, whether through another social media channel or in a text or phone call asking for the dirty details.

 

Let’s say you are nervous to leave Facebook because you don’t want to lose touch with friends and family. Maybe your goal shouldn’t be to leave Facebook but to either remove the Facebook friends you don’t wish to interact with or try to change the way you interact on Facebook and allow their algorithm to serve you positive content. If leaving social media isn’t the best move for you, after all, there are other changes that can be made to moderate your feed content.

 

Remember that your choice to leave social media does not need to force that choice on others. Social media can be used for positive things, even among the drama. Everyone has personal reasons to remain on social media. Some use it as an excellent business tool, others for local information and recommendations. Some stay on social media during trying times to learn and grow in areas of discernment and positive beneficial conversation. Whether you choose to leave social media or not, your decision and others should be respected.

Follow Jesus

 

The truth is this: whatever comes out of your keyboard is a reflection of Jesus. Ooof. We can either feel defeated and anxious about this, or we can get freaking excited about it! During this chaotic and emotional season of life, remember to turn to Jesus in prayer and reading the Bible. Consider starting a daily devotional like this one by a wonderful woman, Sara Borgstede. Talk to your pastor or other church leaders about your social media struggles and allow them to guide and encourage you. 

 

Spaces of uncertainty are where Satan creeps in, and we are smothered with uncertainty these days. Let’s continue to pray together for discernment in both the beneficial and hurtful social media situations. 

 

So, now what? We read these six ways to shine on social media. Social media will be way easier to navigate now, right? We will always know the perfect thing to say now, right? Oh, how I wish it worked that way. Mommas, I need to read this blog post just as much as anyone, and I wrote it! Since these tips are treacherous to try to remember on your own, I made us all a printable poster as a reminder.

There is no shame in printing this poster and placing it in a place you see often. Print one for every room in your house if you need to! You aren’t alone and I’m on your team. 

Is Lent a Celebration?

Is Lent a Celebration?

by | Mar 4, 2022 |

Why do we say “Happy Ash Wednesday” when Ash Wednesday focuses on death? Why do we announce that we “celebrate” the season of Lent? Have you ever wished someone a “Happy Good Friday”? It must seem a little odd to be celebrating death and darkness. Death is...

Bible Reading Plans for Moms

Bible Reading Plans for Moms

by | Jan 27, 2022 |

In 2011 I traveled to Kauai, Hawaii, for a two-week vacation with my mom and Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt. I had just finished vocational nursing school and my grandpa had some epic connections with property owners in Hawaii when he was alive. I will forever be...

Justified By His Grace: Romans 3

Justified By His Grace: Romans 3

by | Oct 11, 2021 |

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Justification By His Grace: Romans 3:23-24 One of the key passages that was involved in the Reformation was Romans 3:23-24. St. Paul writes, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are...

5 Truths About Holiday Mom Stress

5 Truths About Holiday Mom Stress

by | Oct 19, 2020 | Anxiety

Whether or not you are ready for it, the holiday season is upon us. You may feel some extra stress about the holidays if you are a mom. Schedules become packed, to-do lists triple, finances become a giant mess, sleep doesn’t happen, and nutrition is forgotten. Happy holidays! Is Holiday Mom Stress real? How do we handle all of this? Let me give you a few truths about Holiday Mom Stress that may help ease your anxiety.

1. Holiday Mom Stress is REAL

Please don’t let anyone make you think that having extra stress around the holidays as a mom is either your fault or all in your head. Neither of these things are true. The truth is that we do have extra expectations put on us during the holidays because we are moms. 

Holiday Mom Stress being real does not make it fair or easy, but there are some things you can do to take control of your holiday season. Make a list of the Holiday Mom Stress areas you are most anxious about. Make plans for each of these areas now so you have the plans ready the whole holiday season!

2. Chaos is Inevitable

Having a little extra chaos around the holidays is going to happen every year, so we as moms can either change our perspective or change our situation. Read more about each option and when chaos or stream hit, be prepared to take one of the following actions:

Change your perspective

When holiday chaos hits, it might be time to change your point of view. Try to redirect your focus. Begin finding joy in small or messy things. I read a quote somewhere that said “Instead of complaining that the rose bush is full of thorns, be happy the thorn bush has roses”. I can usually apply that thought process to even the most stressful things.

Change your situation

Momma, let me tell you something: if you don’t like something the way it is, that is OK! Let me tell you again: it is OK to not like something the way it is. Did it sink in that time? If not, go back and read that statement again and again until you feel it in your heart. 

Now that you have accepted that it is OK to not like something the way it is, you can begin a plan to change it. Depending on your circumstances. This may be a short quick action or it may be a long drawn out plan. YOU have the power to make changes in your life. You are smart enough, you have enough strength, and you are worth it. Oh, Momma, you are so important. I hope you know that.

3. You Should Enjoy The Holidays

Even with the extra expectations put on us moms during the holidays, we should still enjoy the season. Yes, we are moms and maybe wives, daughters, friends, sisters, etc. But we are still unique human beings. We are beautiful women and we have unique interests and hobbies and traditions. You may enjoy baking Christmas cookies or decorating the Christmas tree with your family. Perhaps it’s important to you for your family to go to church together on Christmas or it’s important to go shop for ALL the Christmas presents for your friends and family. Whatever it is that you truly enjoy, make it happen this holiday season. Make it a priority because you should enjoy the holidays.

4. You Need A Mom Tribe

Let’s all accept that it truly does “take a tribe” when raising kids. A mom tribe. I promise you, momma, whatever you are dealing with, there is another momma out there who has dealt with the same thing. We are all on the same team and you are not alone. Sometimes a mom tribe can keep you on track with your goals and personal guidelines. Other times that tribe is there simply to remind you that you are doing a good job. If you are looking for an online Mom Tribe to join, I would like to invite you to join the Mom Fuel Online Bible Study Group

5. You Are Not Alone

Lastly, I would like to tell you that you do not have to do any of this alone. Whether your holiday season is full of joy or you are in a slump (or if you’re like me…both), you are not alone. The pandemic has made things a little different this year. Surround yourself with people who share the same values and passions. Spend time with people you love (safely and stuff) and enjoy your time with those people. 

Find a mom group online. Sure, social media can be a bit scary these days, but we moms are probably used to using discernment in life. Despite the dangers of social media reliance, social media can also be used for positive things, especially in this pro-virtual season. Enjoy the positive benefits of social media these days while practicing the good old “scroll and roll” with the frustrating stuff. 

If you are trying to move away from social media, check with your church about small groups that meet in your area. Be encouraged to get involved in a small group study offered by your church or another local church in the area. Your pastor will probably be able to help you find a group to study with. Most of the pastors I know get SUPER EXCITED when their people want to know how to study Jesus more.

For more Bible Study blog posts for moms, check out the most recent Mom Fuel posts!

 

Is Lent a Celebration?

Is Lent a Celebration?

by | Mar 4, 2022 |

Why do we say “Happy Ash Wednesday” when Ash Wednesday focuses on death? Why do we announce that we “celebrate” the season of Lent? Have you ever wished someone a “Happy Good Friday”? It must seem a little odd to be celebrating death and darkness. Death is...

Bible Reading Plans for Moms

Bible Reading Plans for Moms

by | Jan 27, 2022 |

In 2011 I traveled to Kauai, Hawaii, for a two-week vacation with my mom and Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt. I had just finished vocational nursing school and my grandpa had some epic connections with property owners in Hawaii when he was alive. I will forever be...

Justified By His Grace: Romans 3

Justified By His Grace: Romans 3

by | Oct 11, 2021 |

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Justification By His Grace: Romans 3:23-24 One of the key passages that was involved in the Reformation was Romans 3:23-24. St. Paul writes, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are...

More Valuable: Jesus Speaks About Anxiety

More Valuable: Jesus Speaks About Anxiety

by | Sep 29, 2020 | Anxiety, Theology

calm water with fall leaves

Welcome to part 4 of our Bible Study Blog Series: Comfort For The Overwhelmed Mom.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Diagnosed anxiety disorders have been part of my life for longer than I can remember. Most of my anxiety is a chemical imbalance likely caused by the brain tumor I was born with, but anxiety as a mom is a whole new world.

 

Mom anxiety happens to most moms.

 

Matthew 6:25 is quoted at me often. At me, not to me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s one of the many great Bible verses about anxiety. It says “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on…” 

 

Um….ok, that all sounds great, but HOW? I know Jesus wants us to stop worrying and being anxious. Is this passage telling us to simply stop worrying and pump the anxiety brakes? 

 

Oh. Momma, I think Jesus is telling us a lot more here in this part of the Bible. He isn’t just going to leave us with a command we don’t know how to obey. He isn’t trying to add more mom guilt to your life. He wants you to have a rich, fulfilling, and enjoyable life!

 

Take a moment to read Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV) with me now.

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[a] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

hummingbird drinking from pink flower

We often focus only on the law and command here. Notice that Jesus isn’t only laying down law in this passage, He is also pointing you to your value in the Father.

 

Our amazing God knows that sometimes validation alone can help ease anxiety. Our Creator, our Heavenly Father, our God takes the time to not only notice our human anxiety, but also helps us bear and carry that inevitable overwhelm.

 

THAT is how important you are to God. Check out the birds hanging out in the world. They don’t work full time. Birds don’t cook gluten-free dairy-free meals for their baby birds. They don’t limit screen time or keep detailed Happy Planners. The birds here in Illinois are pretty fat and happy, so it seems that God still takes care of them.

 

Hey….you. Yes. You.

Hear me when I say this. You are worth so much more to God. You are His daughter, His creation, His plan. Thank God for delights like healthy food to enjoy preparing, the ability to discern as a parent, and beautiful products to help manage our days. 

 

Thank God we can come to Him with the raw realities of anxiety, and He alone can and will help us. God scoops us up, validates our worry, helps us carry it, and shows us how to overcome and thrive. He gives us gifts through Bible verses about anxiety that dig far below the surface.

 

Jesus doesn’t stop after telling us to not be anxious, he gives us reasons and insight as to how and why. Let’s dig further into the context of this often-regurgitated passage of scripture to understand a more complex and comforting message.

 

Bear with me, I know this passage may scream “Guilt! Law! Moralism!”.

 

Find comfort in the fact that God is the one we SHOULD pay attention to when it comes to law and command, because HE LOVES US. 

child jumping in puddle

Here is an earthly example to help form the idea: 

 

Picture your child at school on the playground. There is a deep muddy puddle just asking to be jumped into. Your kiddo’s little friend says “Don’t jump in there!” But only because that friend wants the puddle to jump in all for themselves. Now, imagine you are there with your child. You say “Don’t jump in there!” because it’s dirty and you want to save your kid (and yourself) from the inevitable anxiety that accompanies a wet and muddy kid. See the difference of intent and purpose?

 

Now, Jesus can’t be compared to humans. Not even close. But this thought process can show us that God isn’t making empty commands for HIS sake, it’s ultimately for OUR sake.

 

Sometimes we imagine that God’s commands are the walls of a tiny little box for us to live inside. “Don’t go outside these walls, or you’re in trouble”, we think. But what if we saw God’s Law as a fence around all the things that hurt us and make our lives miserable, leaving the rest of the world to enjoy in freedom and safety? God wants us to have the best possible life, now and eternally!

 

Our passage today begins with the word “therefore”. In the Bible, this language is used to connect a section of scripture with the previous verses for context reasons.

 

The previous part of Matthew warns us against storing up treasures in earth. Jesus is explaining that as long as we are enslaved to earthly things like food, fashion, and fun, we will have unnecessary worry and anxiety. 

 

I’m sure you have hear all about this in your life, right? Don’t have pleasure in earthly things, don’t collect things, maybe you’ve even been taught to not ENJOY things here on earth. 

 

Take a moment with me to see the truth in these incredible Bible verses about anxiety.

 

God is not telling us to not participate in earthly joys, He tells us to guard against being enslaved by them. HUGE difference!

 

This goes along with our human nature struggling to differentiate between our own wants and needs. That thought process is more equipping and encouraging. 

 

God gives us abundant gifts, but He doesn’t want us to worry about if there are more gifts coming. 

 

When you receive a Christmas gift, do you worry about receiving another Christmas gift next year? Probably not.

 

The Bible isn’t saying that you are a bad person for enjoying earthly things. God is telling us, though, that we must not allow ourselves to be captured and imprisoned by earthly things if we want to eliminate our anxiety and worry.

 

God doesn’t want us to have anxiety and worry, just like we don’t want our kids to feel dirty, muddy, and uncomfortable.

 

  • God doesn’t want us to have to go through the burden of being cleaned up if we can avoid it.
  • God wants us to be free from worry, but not from need. Worry is draining, am I right?!

 

Notice in this passage that there are some rhetorical questions. Aren’t you more important than birds? Which of you can add time to their life by worrying? Don’t you know God will clothe you graciously? 

 

This momma is my dear friend, Lindsay. Check out her amazing Etsy shop here!

Jesus knows the answers to all of these questions.

He is inviting you into the conversation. He is inviting you to answer these questions so that we may find value in ourselves, not to shame and lecture. That we may let go of some of that nasty anxiety and worry. 

 

Jesus invites us to live under his righteous and rad reign full of abundant care, joy, and delight. He wants to free us from the chains of worry and anxiety and invites to follow Him instead. 

 

This reminds me of an old song by Mary Mary that says this:

 

Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance

I just want to praise you

(What ya want to do?)

I just want to praise you

(Yeah, yeah)

You broke the chains now I can lift my hands

(Uh feel me?)

And I’m gonna praise you

(What ya gon do?)

I’m gonna praise you

 

Our lives will not be free from earthy anxiety, worry, stress, and fear. The season of motherhood is unlike anything else, there is a free flowing tap of guilt, shame, insecurity, and uncertainty. God wants to turn that faucet off, and fill you with His promises, gifts, and Word instead. 

 

The topic of mutual delight between us and God is a topic close to my heart these days. I am part of a Mom Bible Study Book Club here in Southern Illinois and we are reading Delight! By Justin Rossow. Get your copy of the book here and read more about how we delight in God, and how He delights in us!

 

Delight!: Discipleship as the Adventure of Loving and Being LovedpastedGraphic.png

CLICK HERE to read the previous post in this Bible Study Blog Post Series on Psalm 142!

FREE EBOOK

Sign up here to receive your FREE Ebook, How To Read The Bible For Moms.

Is Lent a Celebration?

Is Lent a Celebration?

by | Mar 4, 2022 |

Why do we say “Happy Ash Wednesday” when Ash Wednesday focuses on death? Why do we announce that we “celebrate” the season of Lent? Have you ever wished someone a “Happy Good Friday”? It must seem a little odd to be celebrating death and darkness. Death is...

Bible Reading Plans for Moms

Bible Reading Plans for Moms

by | Jan 27, 2022 |

In 2011 I traveled to Kauai, Hawaii, for a two-week vacation with my mom and Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt. I had just finished vocational nursing school and my grandpa had some epic connections with property owners in Hawaii when he was alive. I will forever be...

Justified By His Grace: Romans 3

Justified By His Grace: Romans 3

by | Oct 11, 2021 |

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Justification By His Grace: Romans 3:23-24 One of the key passages that was involved in the Reformation was Romans 3:23-24. St. Paul writes, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are...

What If You’re Not Ok Right Now?

What If You’re Not Ok Right Now?

by | Jul 11, 2020 | Anxiety, Theology

There are pages and pages of books and blog posts dedicated to what people usually refer to as “self-help”. All of them promise the next best way to solve all of your problems, to help you have a better life than you have right now. Don’t get me wrong, some of them are really good! But if you’re anything like me, you devour books and blog posts and podcasts and Pinterest, and then when things don’t work out as the author or speaker promised, we get disappointed. When all of our efforts don’t seem to produce much change, I often feel like giving up. But I am often reminded that I’m stronger than that, and even more than that I have the strongest power in the universe on my side: God. 

My husband is a pastor, and one of the things he says often is, “God loves you exactly as you are, but way too much to leave you that way.” There are times in life where we need to push forward and strive to become the best version of ourselves we can be. Actually it’s a lot of the time. But there is also a time where it’s necessary to recognize that it’s ok to not be ok. Life is hard. And when you recognize how hard life can be, then it’s time to turn to the only real source of strength: God! Do you see a theme here? God is THE theme. He is our everlasting source of strength. And, momma, God wants you to be OK. 

This list contains many suggestions to help you calm some stress and anxiety and, ultimately, help you be more OK. Not all of these suggestions will work well for you, so try them and take note of which ones you try and which work best for you. No two moms have exactly the same life, and what a beautiful blessing that is! 

Go Outside

Make some time to go outside today, either on your own or with your family. Fresh air and the Vitamin D-rich sunshine are so very beneficial to our health. Mom life can get pretty chaotic and we often forget to simply go outside. Take a walk with your kids, start and tend to a garden, find a water table toy for your little ones (I found a great one for about $30 at Aldi this summer), do whatever you like to do….just do it outside. Add 10 minutes of outside time a day and add more time if you feel you need it.

Eat & Drink

Before you get too excited, I don’t mean to eat French fries and drink wine. I wish I did mean those things! Drink water and drink a lot of it. Make sure you drink water throughout your whole day and make sure your kids drink water, too. We are busy moms and we may not have time for a perfect diet, so simply make sure you are eating some real and nutritious food. Try to get the majority of your groceries from the outer aisles (produce, meat, dairy) and avoid or limit some inner aisles (super processed foods, pop, etc.) Unless you are intentionally fasting, don’t skip meals during the day. I know it’s hard to find time to even think about eating most days, but your body and brain need fuel, momma. And no one wants to live life “hangry”.

Journal or Color

Stay with me here even if you have zero clue about how to start journaling. I remember in Jr. High a theology teacher gave me a blank notebook and said “here, journal”. In my mind, I thought “Nah, hard pass”. Journalling isn’t only writing your thoughts on a blank page. Some moms can easily write their thoughts out in a blank journal, but some moms need a little bit more structure and guidance. Many journals at your bookstore or online have prompted journaling questions to help guide you through the process of journaling. 

Adult coloring books are all the rage right now. I’ve got a stack of them ranging from The Nightmare Before Christmas to The Lutheran Catechism. Find a coloring book that makes you happy and grab your closest Mr. Sketch smelly markers or Gel pens from Jr. High. Coloring encourages calm and creativity. 

Here is my current mom hack: journaling and coloring all in one! It’s like a 2 in 1 body wash and shampoo that washes away stress and the dingy, dark feelings of anxiety. This coloring book hymn journal creatively guides me to a deeper connection with the hymns I know and love while guiding and encouraging my walk with Jesus.

Read the Bible

Reading the Bible is a simple and effective way to get yourself out of a “funk”. God’s Word provides so much wisdom and so many blessings. If you are looking for a more guided way to read scripture, find a daily devotional book that you enjoy. Daily devotionals are a great way to make a habit out of studying God’s Word daily. The daily devotion book I am currently reading is called Grace Looks Amazing on You by Amy Seiffert. Each daily devotion is short and sweet and packed with God’s Word and blessings. 

Talk About It

Sometimes when we are having a hard day (or week, year, decade, etc.), it is helpful to talk through and process your thoughts and feelings with someone else. The hard part is deciding who to talk to. Choose to talk to someone you trust who you enjoy talking to, someone who makes you feel good about yourself. It’s totally fine to begin your conversation with “I don’t really need advice about this, I just need to vent”. Or, if you DO want advice, find someone with wisdom and opinions you respect. Practical advice and validation are both things we moms need in our lives.

Make a (Simple) Plan

Simple Plan isn’t just the name of a semi-popular pop-punk band from Canada, it’s also a great concept for moms to use in their daily life. Make a plan and keep it simple. If you’re struggling with healthy eating, make a plan to have healthy meals and snacks, put together a shopping list, and stick to it. We often find ourselves in a panic because we didn’t plan properly. If you’re having trouble finding direction during these days of shelter-in-place, make a fun daily and weekly schedule to keep things moving and keep things interesting. Most importantly, work what’s working. If you find it easy to keep track of plans on your phone, do it there. Tell Siri or Alexa your shopping list and reminders. Planning allows us to more effectively and efficiently use the (limited) resources we have, and if things are running smoothly we’re freed up to be able to enjoy life! 

Sometimes we aren’t ok and it doesn’t seem like there’s much we can do about it. It doesn’t mean we need to blame ourselves, others, or that we should give up. When we recognize that things aren’t ok, that things aren’t as they should be, we can look at the big picture and see that God is still in control, He loves us, and so do a whole lot of other people. Once you’ve accepted the fact that you aren’t ok, you can start to get down to the business of either changing your circumstances or changing your perspective- and enjoying life! 

Browse the Mom Fuel shop and find a tank top or t-shirt to express yourself this summer! 

0 Comments

Is Lent a Celebration?

Is Lent a Celebration?

by | Mar 4, 2022 |

Why do we say “Happy Ash Wednesday” when Ash Wednesday focuses on death? Why do we announce that we “celebrate” the season of Lent? Have you ever wished someone a “Happy Good Friday”? It must seem a little odd to be celebrating death and darkness. Death is...

Bible Reading Plans for Moms

Bible Reading Plans for Moms

by | Jan 27, 2022 |

In 2011 I traveled to Kauai, Hawaii, for a two-week vacation with my mom and Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt. I had just finished vocational nursing school and my grandpa had some epic connections with property owners in Hawaii when he was alive. I will forever be...

Justified By His Grace: Romans 3

Justified By His Grace: Romans 3

by | Oct 11, 2021 |

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Justification By His Grace: Romans 3:23-24 One of the key passages that was involved in the Reformation was Romans 3:23-24. St. Paul writes, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are...