Anxiety | Grit and Grace Life

My Jersey Mom on Life And How to Throw a Punch

My Jersey Mom on How to Throw a Punch (in the Battles of Life)

My mom is a small woman. She’s always been. It’s not so much that she’s short—she’s actually taller than me—but more that she’s always been thin and slight, her bones seemingly the same as a bird’s. But what she lacks in stature, she makes up for in personality. See, my mom is from Jersey. Technically, we all know it’s New Jersey, right? But the truth is, there is a certain cachet to New Jersey that fits only when you say “Jersey.” It’s more fitting to the person, to the aura, than the formal version. And my mom is very Jersey. She’s tough. She’s got a fighter’s spirit. In some ways, it was difficult as a kid. My mom was quick to anger, […]

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3 Ways to Adjust to a New Normal in the Pandemic

By Jennifer Schoonover / Life & Culture

Today is a new day, a gift. A blessing and an opportunity to share my story with other women in hopes that it will help them through these uncertain times of disruption to our every day lives. One thing is for sure, we are all walking without a road map through a valley of a global pandemic called the coronavirus, or COVID-19. I got a little wrapped up in the drama of it all and my depression took over for a minute. Okay, a couple days really, but I was trying to sound “hip.” I watched the news as China was hit with this crazy virus that seemed like something from the movies. It was far enough away and outside of my

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Keeping Your Faith Under Pressure With Skillet’s Jen Ledger – 127

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | More We’re looking to each other a lot these days, for hope, encouragement, and even advice, and we’re all experiencing life with some level of anxiety and mounting pressure. These days can challenge our faith or strengthen it, often a bit of both. Looking for inspiration, Darlene and Julie interview Jen Ledger, solo artist and drummer with the multi-platinum, world-touring rock band, Skillet. Jen shares honestly about how bouts of panic and anxiety almost kept her from pursuing her dreams and how she found the strength, grit, and grace to endure these setbacks and still accomplish her dreams. She even talks about how she has used that

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To the Mom Terrified of Homeschooling Through the Pandemic

By Dr. Zoe / Motherhood

I’m a homeschool mom, but don’t write me off as not understanding your situation. Although I’ve homeschooled four out of my five children at various times over the last 15 years, I am currently only homeschooling my youngest. But my other kids are back home now (even the one in college), and we’re finding our new normal. I’m not that homeschooling mom who thinks that everyone should homeschool because it’s the best thing since sliced bread. Don’t get me wrong. I love those women! They are walking in their purpose, but they’re not going to help you right now. If homeschooling was your calling, you would have already been doing it voluntarily, right? First, take a deep breath, mama. Take a couple

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How to Trust He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands

By Amy Saxby / Faith

I’ve felt so scattered lately. Do you know the feeling? Not being able to focus on a task and finish it? School has been shut down for at least 3 weeks, restaurants have shut their doors, we are only to gather in groups less than 10. All because of a nasty, deadly virus. Truly it feels like the world is upside down. On the inside, I’m reeling with how to process or feel about all of this, and on the outside, there is a lot to be done. Online teaching to be prepared, workspaces to be prepped for our four kids to learn at home, bathrooms to clean, meals to plan. But I feel paralyzed. I feel like a hypocrite even suggesting

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An Adventure in First Time Homeschooling (We Miss You Teachers)

By Meaghan Dawson / Life & Culture

6:00AM: My house is silent. By some stroke of #Coronamiracle I’m up first, trying to settle myself as we step into our new normal. Time for coffee. Bible. And a self pep talk. I’ve got this. HOMESCHOOL, here I come. 7:00AM: Online Yoga. For peace. And strength. And sanity. And, yes, another pep talk. 7:45Am: Coffee (you’re going to start to see a trend here, wait for it…) 8:00AM: Class begins. Middle Child: The studious one, jumps in feet first. The lessons their amazing teachers spent hours over their spring break preparing are beautiful and clear and concise. He’s a self-starter and he’s off to the races. Godspeed, little buddy. You’re on your own. Youngest Child: Still in PJs. Hair’s a rat’s

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Feeling Anxiety How to Snap Out of It and Live in the Moment

Feeling Anxious? How to Snap Out of It and Live in the Moment

By Ashley Johnson / Life & Culture

I recently read a great article about how anxiety can negatively affect our health, stress our immune systems, and actually cause us to become more susceptible to illness. While this is good information, it can also cause those who are anxious to feel even more anxious about their anxiety. Welcome to the mysterious world of living inside your head. Here’s the thing: cutting through the static of anxiety is not as simple as turning the station or flipping it off altogether. Trust me, if it were, I’m fairly certain the issue would no longer exist. Instead, anxiety disorders are affecting 40 million adults in the U.S.1 So, if you’re struggling in this crazy COVID season, here are 10 things that might help

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Our Grit and Grace Life… Battling Anxiety? (Video)

By Our Grit and Grace Life Videos / Faith

Many of us struggle with anxiety and wonder if we are failing as women of faith because we do? In a recent article Can Faith Bring Hope to Everything, Even Anxiety, writer Cherie Shaw gave such great insights into that battle. She also took a few moments to share in Our Grit and Grace Life video series, a bit of her personal struggle and offer steps she found to overcome; providing hope where there may be none. You may be looking for more help and would like to purchase a copy of the book, Save Yourself from Burnout, mentioned by Cherie click here.

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3 Ways to Slow Down and See What Jesus Wants You to See

By Rachel Pieh Jones / Faith

I live in a Muslim country and love a lot of people who don’t share my beliefs. I’m a leader in a small Christian community. But lately, I’d been feeling like I was fumbling around in the dark. My soul felt cold, I was conflicted about how to spend my time, and I struggled to see any purpose or value to my work. Rather than filled with joy or faith, for a long time I had primarily felt angry and lonely. What, exactly, did Jesus expect of me? Especially, what did he expect of me here, in a spiritual and physical desert? I started a study on the commands of Jesus. I began in Matthew and planned to plow straight through the

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Now Is the Time to Ignite Your Confidence

By Rachel Hagstrom / Purpose

I can be real with you, right? I felt a little like an imposter when I first started writing this piece about self-confidence. Two seconds after I signed up to write it, the thought “Hmm, I’m probably not the right girl for the job…” entered my mind. Here’s why: To start, I have a history of caving into the bully voice far too often. Is there a similar voice you hear when a new opportunity arises? For me, it’s the one that tells me I’m disqualified, defective, and not enough. When I’ve listened to it in the past, I’ve ended up missing out on some pretty spectacular opportunities. Furthermore, I am a SAHM who—probably on a daily basis—doubts if I’m truly cut

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Skillet’s Jen Ledger Shares How to Have Faith Over Fear

By Tess Lopez / Faith

Skillet’s Jen Ledger is nothing short of a powerhouse when she performs: with soaring vocals and a gift for drumming like the rockstar she is, she gives the band a heartbeat to rely on. But if you asked her how she got to be so confident while performing, she’d tell you that it was—and sometimes still is—a daily struggle. Read on for the details of Jen’s story and journey of faith as excerpted from her appearance on This Grit and Grace Life podcast, episode 44: Skillet’s Jen Ledger Shares Her Faith, Her Fear and Her Strength. I had actually come to America to do a Bible music school called The School of Worship. It’s only like 14 people per class in the

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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

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Can Faith Bring Hope to Everything—Even Anxiety?

By Cherie Shaw / Faith

Although I should be sleeping like a baby, I’m wide awake. The projection clock shines 3 am on the ceiling. Still too early to start the day. The house is quiet, but my insides are starting to race. I try to calm my thoughts, stop them from whirling, but it’s as if anxiety read the manual on my brain and decided to push the panic button. I’m trying to keep my breathing slow and steady, but the more I try, the more impossible it feels. 10 minutes have passed. Only 10 and the slowness of time passing is like gasoline on a smoldering fire. I’m not sure how long I can keep myself calm. I need it to be morning. Soon I

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Ask Dr. Zoe – What Is Normal Anxiety & When Should I Seek Help?

By Dr. Zoe / Ask Dr. Zoe

‘Potential Worry-Wart’ Asked: What is “normal” anxiety, and what crosses over into clinical? In my mid-20s, I experienced panic attacks and a couple years of moderate to severe anxiety and depression. Before then, I did not experience any of those things and believe I had “normal” mental health. There were life circumstances that went into play with the panic, anxiety, and depression, and I did go on medication during that season. I am now off of medication, but still in counseling and group therapy. As the mental health conversation expands, some people explore unconventional treatments like psilocybe cubensis, hoping to find relief from their struggles. Psilocybin, the active compound in these mushrooms, has shown promise in clinical settings as a potential treatment

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9 Simple and Unexpected Tips to Relieve Stress

By Megan Miller / Health & Beauty, Life & Culture

Are you stressed? It’s okay to admit it if you are; we live in a fast-paced world with endless demands. Whether you’re a working woman, focused on motherhood, or, chances are, a little bit of everything, it seems like a woman’s job is never done (because she usually has quite a few of them!). Here are a few simple ways you can manage the stress that comes with juggling all the balls. 1. Don’t charge your phone in the bedroom. Stop using your alarm as an excuse. Target sells cute ones for about $5. Invest in rest and peace of mind. 2. Schedule time to recharge and be alone. Five minutes in the car, a walk with your dog, a long shower, it

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What Are the Unexpected Gifts of Depression? With Melissa Maimone – 095

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | TuneIn | RSS | MoreCan depression be a gift? Is there something to be gained from those dark and hard places in life? If you or someone you love live with this battle, you’ve probably also felt the shame that seems to accompany the intense pain and feelings of hopelessness. The current estimates state that 15% of adults will experience this growing challenge—depression—at some point in their lives. With this in mind, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Graham interview Melissa Maimone, author of The Radiant Midnight: Depression, Grace and the Gifts of a Dark Place. Her transparency is refreshing as she shares her struggle, even admitting that for her, depression has

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Why Does God Allow Your Hard Times?

By Teresa Christian / Faith

I googled “songs about overcoming troubles in life” and came up with literally dozens (hundreds maybe?) of options. Everything from the blues (of course) to rock-n-roll. Maybe that’s because going through hard times is something that is common to everyone on the planet. From cradle to grave, we all experience ups and downs, mountains and valleys, highs and lows—no matter what you call them, trouble comes calling for all of us! In the Bible, Job 14:1 says, “Man who is born of woman is few of days and full of trouble.” How’s that for encouraging words! Even Jesus told His disciples in John 16:33, “…In this world, you will have trouble…” So, what’s the point? Is there purpose in the struggles that

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