Anxiety | Grit and Grace Life

Surrendering to God in Hardship Doesn’t Mean Giving Up

A storm was raging above us as I held my daughter, hunkered down in our crawlspace. WA tornado warning had been issued a few minutes before, and to my ears, it sounded like it was passing right over us. The wind and the rain were terrifying. I had no control over the preservation of our home, nor the safety of our lives. I had done the one small thing I could—get to safety—and the rest was up to God. I knew surrendering to God was the right decision, even as I was shaking with fear. And so I did. I couldn’t call to mind the perfect worship song or the perfect scripture to recite. But the truth of God’s Word is planted […]

Surrendering to God in Hardship Doesn’t Mean Giving Up Read More »

Ask Dr. Zoe – Coping With Anxiety Biblically

By Dr. Zoe / Ask Dr. Zoe

‘Coping With Anxiety’ Asked: I recently realized the extent to which I have struggled with anxiety all my life. What are some healthy, biblical coping mechanisms I can use when anxiety and panic set in? Dr. Zoe Answered: Dear Coping With Anxiety, What I love about cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is that it is completely Biblical. The Bible says, and modern CBT research has proven, that getting control over your thoughts is the best and most efficacious treatment for anxiety (and depression). The Bible tells us whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about those things and the God of peace will be with you

Ask Dr. Zoe – Coping With Anxiety Biblically Read More »

Remembering September 11: Overcoming Anxiety as an Aircrew

By Kristen Bailey / Life & Culture

When I first started flying as a flight attendant, I was sent to New York as the last batch of attendants hired as JFK crew. My first day of flying? September 11, 2015. Joining one of the major airlines used during the terror attacks on that fateful day, my first day of work was to be a lesson in the necessary skill of overcoming anxiety as a flight attendant. When faithfulness triumphs over fear, true bravery is born. The flight crews who kept working in the air after those tragic crashes told us something with their lives: We must remain faithful to whatever it is we’re doing, despite our fears, or we might freeze. A Lasting Impact I was a new hire,

Remembering September 11: Overcoming Anxiety as an Aircrew Read More »

This Is the Lesson Learned From My Sleepless Nights

By Amy Saxby / Faith

For as long as I can remember, I have had sleep problems. When I was a little girl, I would listen to the ticking of the clock in our family room and was convinced that the “tick-tock” sound was keeping me awake, so I would quietly go downstairs and stop the pendulum. Over time, the clock broke. I would wake up my dad just so that he knew I couldn’t sleep. My mind would spiral through the same thoughts, and deep into the night, they would play on repeat over and over. My dad would reassure me by saying, “Remember, Amy, your body is resting whether you are asleep or not.” It brought me such peace. During my college years, I lived

This Is the Lesson Learned From My Sleepless Nights Read More »

How to Get Your Hormone Health in Check

By Ashby Duval / Health & Beauty, Life & Culture

Let me start by saying I am not an expert in balanced hormones. I am, however, a black belt-level expert in unbalanced hormones. Everything I’m about to share with you quite literally comes from my own experience and the things that helped me out of my hormone hole, so I hope there is something here that can help you, too. So. The “H” word. What’s the big deal? What do hormones affect? In short, everything. In fact, your hormones and gut health can have a bigger effect on your health than anything else, even if your diet is sparkling clean. How Hormones Impact Your Health Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers, and if they are off, your quality of life can be

How to Get Your Hormone Health in Check Read More »

Ask Dr. Zoe – Conquering Phobias

By Dr. Zoe / Ask Dr. Zoe

‘Sleepless Beauty’ Asked: I have suffered from fear at night my whole life. I love sleeping, but falling asleep is the worst part for me. I’m always nervous that there is someone in my house, or will break in when I am sleeping. This has never actually happened to me in my 24 years of living, but it’s been an absolute fear since I can remember (about 6 years old). I’ve told myself for years that I’ll be fine when I’m an adult… well I’m married now and still haven’t changed one bit. What are some ways I can start getting over this? I don’t want to be a mother who is more scared at night then her children. And I feel

Ask Dr. Zoe – Conquering Phobias Read More »

enjoying your life even when its overwhelming

This Is How I Enjoy My Life Even When I’m Feeling Overwhelmed

By Nicole Stine / Life & Culture

Are you in one of those seasons of life where it seems like any second your world is going to go spinning off its axis? Please, tell me I’m not alone in this! Are you feeling overwhelmed with all of the demands of this world? Do you feel like your tank is on empty and you’re running on fumes? If so, I’m right there with you, sister! You see, I’m one of those people that takes life head-on and plows through the problems that come my way. Usually. However, recent illness in my family—myself included—has made it significantly more difficult for me to navigate the stresses and pressures of life with my usual tenacity. I’m exhausted mentally and physically and several times

This Is How I Enjoy My Life Even When I’m Feeling Overwhelmed Read More »

Bible Verses From The Grit and Grace Team on Anxiety

Bible Verses on Anxiety from The Grit and Grace Team

By The Grit and Grace Team / Faith

We all face anxiety, some more than others. It’s part of being human. So, what do you do when fear strikes? When a thought of the unknown future taunts even the most confident fiber of your being? The ladies at The Grit and Grace Project share some of their own worries and anxieties and the Bible verses that bring them peace. Take heart, friends, and may you be comforted to know that He’s always there. Here are some verses for comfort: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons,

Bible Verses on Anxiety from The Grit and Grace Team Read More »

7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Now

By Dr. Zoe / Purpose

Change. It is a certainty. It never ceases to amaze me how life can completely change in the blink of an eye. It invigorates me and leaves me a little terrified at the same time. We often go about subconsciously believing that we will live forever—that time is always there. The mind is amazing how it can trick us in that way. But we rarely fully experience the present, even though it is the only thing that is certain about our time here on earth. Experiencing the sudden death of my father and the traumatic birth of my daughter (born with a rare genetic disorder) heightened my awareness of how life can turn on a dime. I’m sure many of you have had similar life curve balls. Yet, we know

7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Now Read More »

This Is How I Enjoy My Life Even When I’m Feeling Overwhelmed

By Nicole Stine / Life & Culture

This Is How I Enjoy My Life Even When I’m Feeling Overwhelmed Read More »

Representation Matters: Searching for Mental Health Support for People of Color

By Torrie Sorge / Life & Culture

I was stunned when I read the news story. I remembered her winning Miss USA 2019, not because of her articulate answers or platform, but because her physical features mirrored my own. At the time, I was just beginning to embrace my curls and she proudly wore hers with confidence. As I read through the breaking news story, once again, I saw myself in Cheslie Kryst. Her struggle with anxiety and depression echoed my own. I rarely share about the time I sat, razor blade in hand, contemplating if I should live or die. Would anyone care if I were gone? Or the time I called my mom at 3 a.m. to pick up our infant son because I couldn’t have him

Representation Matters: Searching for Mental Health Support for People of Color Read More »

feeling stressed out? 5 tips to stay calm

Feeling Stressed Out? Here Are 5 Tips to Stay Calm

By Rachel Hagstrom / Health & Beauty, Life & Culture

What are the life events that can leave you stressed out or assessing your life as a whole? Presently for me, it’s the milestone birthday quickly headed my way. It has caused me to dwell on the concept of time and the warp speed at which it seems to be running. Based on recent conversations I’ve had with others on the cusp of milestones or new seasons, I know I’m not alone with this realization. It makes no difference if we’re referring to the actual seasons of the year, a particular age, or the seasons by which we categorize our lives (think of labels such as singlehood, parenthood, empty nester, divorce, illness, etc.). A by-product of living in our modern age are seasons that are fluid,

Feeling Stressed Out? Here Are 5 Tips to Stay Calm Read More »

To the Mom Lacking Self-Confidence: Do This

By Rachel Hagstrom / Motherhood

To the woman lacking self-confidence, it can appear as though everyone around her is acing life with flying colors. She might tend to second-guess her decisions constantly. She often battles a distorted, negative view of herself. When she becomes a mom, her confidence levels soar one minute and then reach unprecedented lows the next if her self-worth depends on her parenting skills. I know because I am that woman. To All the Moms Lacking Self-Confidence I’m probably the least qualified person to dish out advice regarding confidence (see the irony there!). As one all-too-familiar with the aforementioned internal musings and mindsets, my self-confidence has been on shaky grounds for much of my adolescent and adult life. The same nervous way I’d present a

To the Mom Lacking Self-Confidence: Do This Read More »

Anxious? Looking for a Refuge?

By Allison McCormick / Faith, Best Of

I woke at 1:30 AM. Fully alert and rehashing the events from the previous day. I was angry, anxious, and agitated by people’s lack of integrity. Their unwillingness to be accountable for their actions and words. I choreographed responses, planned for the potential encounter, and waited for sleep to return. The bedside alarm clock measured the minutes: 2:30… 3:30… 3:45. When finally, my mind calmed enough to allow me to fall back to sleep. Waking again to the sound of our dog jumping off the bed, his ID tags acting as an alarm as they jingled against his collar. It was 5:20 AM and I gave up the notion of sleep. Once on my feet, I made my way to my office.

Anxious? Looking for a Refuge? Read More »

Ask Dr. Zoe – How Do I Leave Last Year Behind and Start Fresh?

By Dr. Zoe / Ask Dr. Zoe

‘Leaving the Past Behind’ Asked: Last year was emotionally draining, and I’m afraid I will carry all the stress, anxiety and tension into this year. Is there anything I can do to leave the past behind me and start fresh? Dr. Zoe Answered: Whenever someone says to me that they are worried, fearful or unsure about what they will choose to do in the future, I always stop them mid-sentence. I don’t even want to hear the rest—so stop! You are the only person in this world who controls you. You can hope and worry and wonder about everyone else’s behavior in this world except your own. You get to choose your own thoughts, behaviors, actions and ultimately your life. When you

Ask Dr. Zoe – How Do I Leave Last Year Behind and Start Fresh? Read More »

Tools You Need to Find Healing from PTSD

By Kristen Bailey / Life & Culture

*Trigger Warning: This article mentions suicide and self-harm* I am no trained therapist, but I am also no stranger to trauma. A triad of trauma began in my life when I moved overseas as a missionary. Before two years on the field were over, my husband left me. The trauma of divorce. Abroad. Alone. My next boyfriend, a fellow English teacher working with me in Tokyo, struggled with mental illness. I found his body after he committed suicide. I would go on to my own unsuccessful suicide attempt and years of self-harm. My perspective of pain shifted even further when, years later, I was sexually assaulted as a flight attendant in a foreign country. All of this to say, I’m no licensed

Tools You Need to Find Healing from PTSD Read More »

How to Feel Your Emotions in a Healthy Way With Dr. Zoe Shaw

By Tess Lopez / Life & Culture

We’re likely to bounce between feelings of happiness, sadness, anger, excitement, exhaustion or any number of other emotions every day. Some are fickle, while others might not be so temporary. No matter which ones you experience, they are all normal and they deserve to be listened to. Where we often go wrong is in our reaction to those feelings—either lashing out at someone or making an impulsive decision we later regret. Even when we choose not to react by suppressing our emotions, we are entering into dangerous territory. Dr. Zoe Shaw is a licensed psychotherapist and regular contributor to Grit and Grace Life through articles and her advice column, Ask Dr. Zoe. She has also been a guest on several episodes of This

How to Feel Your Emotions in a Healthy Way With Dr. Zoe Shaw Read More »