More than 40% of Americans have an anxiety disorder. Even more alarming, 32% of adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 have an anxiety disorder. With such profound statistics, there is no doubt that parenting and anxiety need to be addressed collectively.

You may have heard the phrase hurt people hurt people. And this is especially true if one does not heal from the past. This may be true for parents and can be made worse when anxiety is present. Hurt can be inflicted intentionally or unintentionally, but without healing, hurt passes from one generation to the next.

Lisa Brenninkmeyer said, "Suffering not transformed is transmitted. Satan wants us to say I was wounded, now I will wound." Her quote seems to be directed more at the person who intentionally hurts others, but the reality is that if we do not transform our suffering, we ultimately hurt others, no matter what. And, we continue to hurt ourselves.

The word suffering may feel a little extreme when it comes to anxiety. However, anxiety can be debilitating and can lead to outbursts of anger due to irritability and an inability to cope. When this happens, the people in the path of the anxious person get hurt. And when that happens — once or repeatedly — suffering ensues and builds. Relationships are often damaged and maybe, over time, even destroyed.

For parents, it is crucial to heal from past wounds and navigate anxiety in order not to bring past hurt into our parenting.

Any time there are unhealed wounds, there is a risk of increased anxiety. Oftentimes, when people are wounded, they are angry and have not taken the initiative to forgive. Unforgiveness can cause an increase in anxiety. We know that God calls us to forgive. If you have someone you need to forgive, pray about it. That sounds simple, but the Lord can and will soften your heart. It is important to note that granting forgiveness does not mean you will forget the hurt caused by someone else. But you can forgive and set boundaries so the hurt doesn't continue.

When we've been hurt, we may be tempted to harden our hearts. Instead, we can harden our exterior by establishing boundaries while softening our hearts to allow for forgiveness, love, and compassion without holding onto past hurts. Once we make this effort and continue to pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength, we will see transformation. With transformation, anxiety will decrease. You will be less likely to overreact when someone, like your child, spouse, or even your parent, aggravates you or reminds you of a past wound.

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To start a journaling practice, download the free eBook, 15 Journaling Prompts and Scripture Verses, today!

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In a world where we continuously seek ways to make a difference, the power of sharing our experiences and insights has never been more crucial. Whether you're driven by a sense of purpose or a desire to impact others positively, speaking can be a transformative tool in your journey. Unfortunately, many individuals feel a calling to share their message, but are often held back by uncertainty and self-doubt. However, if you have an impactful message, we want to help you start speaking today to share your story and make a difference.

Your Unique Message to Share

Everyone has a story or perspective that deserves to be shared. It's common to compare our stories to others, wondering if they are significant enough. Remember, what seems ordinary to you might be life-changing for others. The value of your message lies in its authenticity and relatability, not in pomp or spectacle. Embrace this reality and step forward to share what makes your journey unique.

Start Speaking: Find Your Focus

If you want to start speaking, clarity is your friend. Begin by defining what you want to be known for—your speaker statement. This involves identifying who you can help and how your speaking can facilitate that transformation. Specificity in your message enables you to connect with the right audience. Rather than trying to cover numerous topics, focus on one area where your insights can have the most significant impact.

Overcoming the Fear of Speaking

For many, anxiety and fear are significant hurdles to becoming a speaker. Shifting from seeing public speaking as a performance to viewing it as a service can make a huge difference. By focusing less on yourself and more on the needs of your audience, the pressure to be perfect diminishes. Think of yourself as a lighthouse, guiding others with your insights, instead of a spotlight, seeking validation.

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In the realm of spiritual communities, few topics are as sensitive or impactful as church hurt. This phenomenon affects individuals across various denominations and can profoundly influence one's faith journey. Understanding and healing from church hurt is essential for maintaining and rebuilding a healthy relationship with Jesus.

Church hurt stems from negative experiences within religious settings, such as emotional turmoil, spiritual abuse, or feeling ostracized. It does not discriminate among denominations; it can happen anywhere and to anyone. Recognizing this is crucial to navigating the complicated emotions involved and finding ways to heal.

Healing from church hurt often involves acknowledging the pain and finding supportive environments to express it. Talking with trusted individuals who understand or have experienced similar struggles can be invaluable. Recovery is not about finding an immediate solution but about gradually rebuilding trust and faith.

Tools and resources can offer guidance in recognizing and addressing hurt resulting from others in the church community. Such resources help individuals identify red flags and articulate their feelings. Seeking external perspectives can shed light on situations and clarify if certain behaviors are problematic or dismissive in religious contexts.

While healing from the hurt of individuals within church organizations, it is vital not to generalize all religious communities based on one experience. Positive, nurturing faith communities do exist, and taking the time to find them can offer renewed faith and fellowship. Remember, it's about finding a place that reinforces spiritual well-being and growth.

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Website for Mary DeMuth

Additional resources you will find helpful:

Mary DeMuth - You Need to Meet These Women of the Bible (They Are Just Like Us) - Episode 398

Rebecca George - Ditch the prosperity gospel. Trust God's Timing. Episode 381

Download the free eBook: 15 Journaling Prompts and Scripture Verses

In the evolving world of parenthood, maintaining a strong bond with adult children presents unique challenges. As children transition into adulthood, the dynamics shift, often leading to confusion for parents. However, with understanding and a strategic approach, it's possible to improve relationships with adult children and cultivate a healthy, fulfilling family connection.

Once children turn 18, they are legally considered adults. This milestone often surprises parents who feel uncertain about their new role. As children grow into their independence, they become increasingly determined to make their own choices, sometimes clashing with their parents' ideals. This can lead to emotional chaos and strained relationships. However, understanding these dynamics is the first step to improving relationships with adult children.

For mothers, connecting with themselves is paramount. As the cornerstone of the family, maintaining inner peace is essential. By prioritizing self-awareness, moms can better navigate the emotional upheavals that come with parenting adult children. Self-care and inner reflection act as the glue that binds the family, providing stability during times of change.

Open communication is essential for improving relationships with adult children. It is necessary to engage in active listening, validate the emotions of your children, and initiate a dialogue about their feelings and experiences. By acknowledging their perspectives, parents can build a stronger, more respectful relationship.

For those who treasure faith, integrating it into your parenting approach can help mend and strengthen familial ties. By relying on spiritual guidance, parents can find peace in surrendering their worries and trusting a higher power with their children's paths. This can lead to healing and transformation within the family unit.

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Website for Kim Damon

Additional Resources

Reset Your Nervous System and Become the YOU you want to be - Episode 394 - https://therobyngraham.com/reset-your-nervous-system/

You Need to Start Avoiding the Victim Mentality. Period. - Episode 391 - https://therobyngraham.com/victim-mentality/

Purchase You, Me, and Anxiety: Take Action Over Anxiety to Enjoy Being You

Teen edition

Parent edition

In our increasingly isolated society, establishing meaningful friendships can be a critical step in alleviating the pervasive feeling of loneliness. While life transitions, such as moving to a new area or changing jobs, can disrupt established connections, they also provide opportunities to cultivate new relationships that align with our values. Developing these friendships requires time, effort, and intentionality.

In light of today's epidemic of loneliness, which affects many despite the facade of being well-connected digitally, nurturing meaningful friendships is vital. These friendships are not merely social interactions; they are pivotal to our emotional health and well-being. True friends provide support, joy, and alignment with our values, which are essential for maintaining a stable and happy life.

Building meaningful friendships is a journey. It is not just about logging 200 hours with someone to establish a connection. It’s about engaging in experiences, conversations, and activities that forge deep, meaningful bonds. This journey involves vulnerability, openness, and an eagerness to discover potential friends in settings such as church groups, sports clubs, or book clubs.

Despite a busy lifestyle or fears of rejection, it’s crucial to break down barriers that impede the development of friendships. Many are afraid to reach out, fearing interruption or rejection. However, these barriers can be overcome by simple actions, such as initiating conversations, setting up coffee dates, or sharing a simple gesture of appreciation.

Friendships evolve over time and across life stages. Whether you are a young mom or someone who transitions through different life phases, recognizing the need for friendships at each stage is crucial. Groups like playgroups or community activities can be excellent ways to introduce new friends who share common values and interests.

Read the full show notes and access all links.

Additional Resources

Finding Your Superpowers: leaning into personal values & dropping comparison - Episode 339

The solution to emotional isolation - Episode 209

Website for Misty Hughes

In our journey through life, many of us face struggles that seem overwhelming, whether it's anxiety, parenting challenges, or simply navigating daily life. In these moments, seeking God's miraculous provision can become a beacon of hope and guidance, helping us to rise and thrive.

God's provision isn't always about grand gestures. It's often about the everyday miracles that help us navigate life's storms. Recognizing these provisions requires trust and faith. Andrea Anderson's book, "Bread Like Rain," delves into encountering God's provision in daily life, offering practical insights for those feeling stuck.

One key strategy for rising and thriving in life is recognizing that control doesn't always serve us. Attempts to micromanage life can lead to increased anxiety. By turning to God and releasing control, we open ourselves to His guidance. This spiritual surrender is often where God's miraculous provision begins. As we learn to trust in God's plan, we discover strength and direction that lead us toward harmony and peace.

Website for Andrea Anderson.

Order Bread Like Rain today.

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Download the free eBook, 15 Journaling Prompts and Scripture Verses.

The answer is a resounding yes. Christians and anxiety often go hand in hand. Not because of a lack of faith, but because we live in a broken world in which many things can impact mental, physical, and spiritual health.

Friends, I cannot believe this is the 400th episode.

When I set out to start the podcast five and a half years ago, I thought I'd share stories of women and men reinventing themselves as entrepreneurs and starting their second phase.

My idea quickly morphed into something more. Not only did I want to inspire others to follow their values, visions, and passions and discover a purpose greater than themselves, but I also wanted to help guide them in this pursuit. Because so much of my focus was on building a business, naturally, the content we created became more about business growth advice and stories of success. We added small doses of faith, mental health, mindset, and wellness to round out the content.

As I was thinking about what to do in celebration of this episode, because I think it is a big deal to make it this far, someone sent me an email.

The email was in response to an email I sent about using journaling as a tool to navigate anxiety. It read: I don't get anxiety, period, if one is of faith in Jesus Christ! Goodbye.

The old me would have quickly hit return and tried to convince him that having faith doesn't mean you will never have anxiety.

But instead, I thought, 'No, he said goodbye, which made me chuckle; let him go.' People like him cannot be convinced, and it isn't my job to change his perspective.

Instead, I decided to take advantage of his lack of understanding to create content that could help many.

A perspective like his can cause a person who loves Jesus to feel shame over experiencing anxiety. No one needs an additional reason to feel shame. Living life as a human can result in enough shame, especially when experiencing brain health challenges.

I wonder, as I'm writing this, what your thoughts are? Can one be a Christian and have anxiety?

My thoughts are that as humans, we are not perfect. We are subject to human dysfunctions mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Christians get diabetes. They get cancer, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, and neurological diseases. And yes, Christians experience mental health challenges too.

We are not divine; therefore, we can be afflicted by ailments, illnesses, and diseases. To judge a Christian because they have a disease or ailment is simply unkind and results in shame.

The key, for Christians and everyone, is to lean into Christ and our faith to navigate anxiety. When we put all of our trust in earthly solutions, we risk idolatry and anxiety rising. Proverbs 17:3 reminds us, "The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tries hearts." As heat refines gold and silver, God purifies us through challenging experiences such as anxiety and emotional chaos in our lives and relationships.

Having anxiety isn't a punishment. If we choose, we can use it as a way to grow closer to God and allow Him to sanctify and purify us.

Read the full show notes and access all links.

Download 15 Journaling Prompts and Scripture Verses

Download the free eBook: Alleviate Anxiety by Developing Healthy Habits for a Healthy Mind.

In today's bustling world, women, especially mothers, are navigating the dual roles of leading both at work and at home. Understanding the intricacies of this journey is vital for thriving in every aspect of life. We all need strategies to rise and thrive, focusing on maintaining wholeness over hustle while embodying leadership.

Our society often equates success with relentless hustle. However, Molly Claire emphasizes the importance of wholeness—creating a life of balance rather than burning out. By focusing on core values and aligning your goals with what's truly important, you redefine success. Wholeness involves nurturing yourself emotionally and mentally, ensuring you lead effectively while maintaining personal well-being.

Mind mastery, emotional resilience, nervous system regulation, and action-focused strategies are the four fundamentals of lasting change. These foundational elements ensure sustainable change. By mastering your mind and emotions, you gain clarity and resilience. Regulating your nervous system helps maintain calm and focus, enabling you to act strategically rather than reactively.

Read the full show notes and access all links.

Visit Molly Claire's Website

Join the waitlist for Molly's new book and be the first to know when it's released: She Rises.

Download the Guide to Alleviate Anxiety by Developing Healthy Habits for a Healthy Mind

Additional Resources

You need to be aware that not all thought work strategies are healthy - Episode 355

Finding Your Superpowers: leaning into personal values & dropping comparison - Episode 339

Reset Your Nervous System and Become the YOU You Want to Be - Episode 394