by Cori Leigh | Aug 8, 2024 | Journey From Anxiety to Peace, Stress
Anxiety crept in during various challenging seasons of my life. The constant worry about what the future might hold weighed heavily on my heart. I would sometimes wake up in the middle of the night, my mind racing with endless “what ifs.” It wasn’t until I realized how much worry was fueling my anxiety that I began to seek ways to find peace.
Anxiety can take on many forms and intensities. In our fast-paced world, stress and anxiety have become almost synonymous with daily living. Millions of people around the globe struggle with countless burdens and find reasons to worry every day.
We race against the clock, trying to pack so much into our days. In our rush, anxiety and busyness rob us of the joy in the present moment. Life isn’t meant to be a relentless mix of stress, worry, and fear.
We were created for something more—a divine purpose beyond the daily grind. God calls us to cast our cares upon Him, to release our worries about the next second, minute, hour, or years past.
The Universal Reality of Anxiety
Anxiety is widely considered a universal reality today. Several factors contribute to the prevalence of anxiety across different populations:
Modern Lifestyle Pressures
The fast pace of life, constant digital connections, work demands, financial stress, and social pressures all contribute to higher baseline stress and anxiety.
Global Challenges
Events like the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainties, political instability, and climate change have increased feelings of uncertainty and fear, fueling anxiety on a global scale.
Mental Health Awareness
Increased awareness and understanding of mental health issues have led to more people recognizing and acknowledging their experiences with anxiety, which may have been overlooked or stigmatized in the past.
Widespread Stressors
Factors like health concerns, family responsibilities, caregiving, and societal expectations can lead to anxiety across different age groups, cultures, and backgrounds.
While the intensity and manifestation of anxiety may vary from person to person, it is a common experience for many people in today’s world. This doesn’t mean everyone experiences clinical anxiety, but most individuals encounter feelings of anxiety at some point in their lives, whether due to specific stressors or more generalized concerns.
How Worry Feeds Anxiety
Worry is a subtle yet powerful emotion. It often goes unnoticed until it spirals into full-blown anxiety. It starts as a small concern and nagging thought about what could go wrong. When left unchecked, worry can grow, feeding on our fears and insecurities.
Worry and anxiety are closely linked. Worry acts as the fuel that keeps anxiety burning. When we worry, we dwell on potential negative outcomes. We imagine scenarios that may never happen. This constant mental rehearsal of worst-case scenarios keeps our minds on high alert. This triggers the body’s stress response.
The more we worry, the more anxious we become, and the more anxious we become, the more we worry. Breaking this cycle is essential to managing anxiety effectively. By recognizing when worry starts to take over, we can take steps to interrupt the loop and bring our focus back to the present moment.
Letting Go of Control: The Path to True Peace
It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing we must carry life’s burdens alone. Society often promotes self-reliance, urging us to handle everything without asking for help. But the truth is, we’re not alone, and we don’t have to face our struggles by ourselves.
In our own strength, life’s burdens can be overwhelming. Anxiety arises when we try to control everything, believing we are solely responsible for making things work. The weight of our concerns, anxieties, and worries is too heavy to bear alone. This is where faith comes in.
Finding peace in an anxious world requires surrendering our lives and days to God. The world offers no true peace, but in Him, there is a peace that surpasses all understanding—sufficient for today and every day.
Practical Steps to Finding Peace
So, how do we find peace in a world filled with anxiety, stress, and worry? Here are some practical steps that can help:
Pause and Breathe
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to combat anxiety is to pause and breathe. When anxiety starts to take hold, it often causes shallow, rapid breathing, which only increases feelings of panic. Taking a moment to breathe deeply and slowly can help calm both the mind and body.
Practice Deep Breathing
Try this simple exercise: Breathe in slowly for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of four, then exhale slowly for a count of four. Repeat this several times until you feel calmer.
Re-evaluate Your Priorities
In our quest to do it all, we often overcommit ourselves, leading to increased stress and anxiety. It’s important to re-evaluate our priorities.
- Learn to Say No: It’s okay to say no to things that don’t align with your values or that add unnecessary stress to your life. Focus on what truly matters to you.
- Simplify Your Life: Consider ways to simplify your daily routines. This might mean decluttering your home, streamlining your schedule, or reducing screen time. Simplification can reduce the mental load and create more space for peace.
Connect with Others
Anxiety can be isolating, making it easy to feel like you’re going through your struggles alone. But human connection is essential for mental health. Don’t isolate yourself—reach out to others.
- Talk about it: Share your struggles with trusted friends or loved ones. Sometimes just talking about what you’re going through can bring relief and perspective.
- Join a Support Group: Consider joining a support group where you can connect with others dealing with similar challenges. There’s comfort in knowing you’re not alone.
Practice Gratitude
Even on the hardest days, there are things to be thankful for. Cultivating a heart of gratitude can shift your focus from what’s wrong to what’s right in your life. Gratitude has been shown to reduce anxiety and increase overall well-being.
- Keep a Gratitude Journal: Each day, write down three things you’re grateful for. They don’t have to be big things—sometimes, it’s the small blessings that make the biggest difference.
- Express Thanks to Others: Take the time to thank the people in your life who support and care for you. Expressing gratitude can deepen your connections and bring more positivity into your life.
Take Care of Your Body
Our physical health is closely linked to our mental well-being. When we neglect our bodies, we make ourselves more vulnerable to stress and anxiety.
- Nourish Your Body: Eat a balanced diet rich in whole foods. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, which can exacerbate anxiety.
- Get Proper Sleep: Lack of sleep can make anxiety worse. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Create a bedtime routine that helps you wind down and prepare for rest.
- Increase Activity: Regular physical activity is a powerful tool against anxiety. Exercise releases endorphins, the body’s natural mood lifters. Even a daily walk can make a difference.
Faith – A Source of Strength and Peace
Spending time in prayer, reading scripture, or sitting in God’s presence provides comfort and peace.
- Daily Devotionals: Set aside time each day for devotionals. Whether it’s reading a passage from the Bible, meditating on a verse, or journaling your thoughts and prayers, this time can help you stay grounded.
- Cast Your Cares on Him: Remember the invitation in 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Surrendering your worries to God can lighten your load and bring a sense of peace.
An Invitation to Slow Down
When the going gets tough, God invites us to slow down. To take a deep breath. We’re reminded in Proverbs 3:5-6 to not lean on our understanding but to acknowledge Him in all our ways, and He will direct our paths.
Life is full of day-to-day hassles, hustle, and hurry. Yet, in the midst of it all, there is peace to be found., you’re not alone on this journey. Together, we can navigate life’s challenges and find the peace that God promises—a peace that passes all understanding.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about what helps you stay grounded.
How do you manage to find peace?
How does living in this anxious world affect you?
by Cori Leigh | Jul 19, 2024 | Grief & Loss
Journaling through grief offers a unique path to healing. It provides a safe and personal space to process complex emotions, reflect on our experiences, and gradually piece together the fragments of our shattered hearts. For me, journaling has been a constant companion in my life.
Over the past five years, journaling has become both a healing and transformative practice. Through writing, I’ve been able to express my deepest feelings and find a sense of healing, peace, and strength. This practice has allowed me to navigate my grief more effectively, offering a space to untangle my emotions and gain clarity during challenging times.
My Journey Through Grief and Loss
In 2019, my life took a drastic turn when my parents were involved in a severe car accident. Overnight, I became a caregiver for both my mom and dad. Just months later, my close aunt was diagnosed with aggressive cancer and passed away within six weeks. As if that wasn’t enough, my dad was diagnosed with cancer while also living with dementia.
The pandemic then intensified caregiving responsibilities and isolation. In August 2022, my 17 1/2-year-old dog Bella passed away suddenly beside me. Soon after, my dad entered palliative care at home, and I cared for him each night until he passed away on November 12, 2022.
Since then, I’ve faced more loss, including our 16-year-old Lab mix, Koda, another close aunt, and a cousin. Navigating grief and loss while attending to my well-being has been challenging, yet journaling has been a vital practice that has helped me immensely.
The Role of Journaling
Journaling became my refuge during the quiet, often lonely nights caring for my dad. With only the light of my laptop screen piercing the darkness, I poured my heart onto the pages. Writing about the pain of losing loved ones provided a glimmer of hope and strength.
Journaling was not just an outlet for my grief but a crucial tool for self-care. Writing multiple times a day offered comfort and clarity, helping me navigate the tumultuous waves of grief and find moments of peace. My journal writing helped to lighten the consuming weight of grief enabling me to feel a sense of peace.
Benefits of Journaling
- Emotional Release: Journaling provides a safe space to express deep emotions, releasing pent-up feelings and reducing the intensity of grief.
- Processing Grief: Writing helps make sense of complex emotions and find meaning amid chaos. It allows you to explore and understand your pain.
- Self-Reflection: Journaling encourages self-awareness, leading to personal growth and resilience. Reflecting on experiences can provide valuable insights into your emotional responses.
- Stress Reduction: Writing about thoughts and feelings reduces stress and anxiety, promoting a sense of calm. It can act as a form of meditation, helping to alleviate stress.
- Finding Hope: Journaling can help identify moments of hope and gratitude, shifting focus from pain to appreciation. Reflecting on positive experiences fosters a sense of peace.
- Building Resilience: Regular journaling strengthens emotional resilience. It allows you to see your progress and recognize your inner strength.
Life is filled with challenges and moments that weigh us down. Journaling has been my lifeline, helping me navigate deep grief and multiple losses. If you’re facing similar struggles, I encourage you to start writing. Journaling can be a powerful tool for healing and emotional well-being, offering hope and strength.
Through my journal, I found a way to process grief, honor loved ones, and heal my broken heart. It became a testament to resilience and a reminder that even in profound loss, there is a path to recovery. So, take a moment, find a quiet space, and let your thoughts flow onto the paper. As I did, you may discover that journaling can be a light of hope in the darkest times.
by Cori Leigh | Jun 12, 2024 | Faith, Short Stories
Sierra sat propped up in her bed, her room shrouded in the dim, gray light of early morning. The laptop screen cast a cold, blue glow on her face as she scrolled through page after page, searching for a glimmer of hope amidst her sea of despair. Each click felt heavier, as if the weight of her sorrow was pressing her down into the mattress.
It had been 18 long months since her fiancé, Seth, was killed in a fatal car crash. The dreams they had shared, the future she had envisioned, seemed to have died along with him. The weight of grief, anxiety, and depression felt like an anchor, dragging her deeper into a chasm of darkness.
Her eyes were red and swollen from countless nights of tears, and her heart felt like it was wrapped in layers of lead. With a heavy sigh, she continued her search for something—anything—that might bring her comfort. Just as she was about to close her laptop in defeat, her weary eyes stumbled upon a blog titled Light in the Shadows. Desperation drove her to click the link, hoping that perhaps, just maybe, this time something would speak to her aching heart.
Through blurred vision, Sierra read a poem titled A Hope for Tomorrow:
A Hope for Tomorrow
Black clouds of uncertainty
leave you no hope;
as you stumble and fall
down a discouraging slope.
Into your valley of
lonely despair,
Jesus is asking you
to meet Him right there.
He’ll raise out from your valley
restoring lost hope,
giving you strength as
you learn to cope.
He is your light of hope
in all of the pain;
joy comes in the morning
so you can dance in the rain.
He knows your sorrows
and just how you feel,
aware you are hurting
and wants you to heal.
He heals your broken places
and calms the fears;
be your light of hope for
all of your years.
Let the Lord radiate your path
for today and tonight,
taking you out of the shadows
and into His light.
Surrender all of your burdens
and broken heart,
Jesus is your comforter
in Him healing will start.
You are wonderfully made
and He loves you,
knowing just when you’re
happy or blue.
One day at a time He’ll help
you to stand,
as you walk in faith toward
all He has planned.
In Him, you have a purpose
and are here for a reason,
the struggles you face
are here for a season.
Sierra’s tears began to dry as she absorbed the soothing words of the poem. A flicker of realization sparked within her. It had been too long since she had turned to God, too long since she had sought solace in her faith.
A sense of clarity washed over her—perhaps it was time to reconnect with the faith she had abandoned. Closing the lid on her laptop, she rose from her bed with newfound resolve.
Grabbing her Bible, she opened it up to the first verse she saw. It said:
“You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.”
2 Samuel 22:29 (NIV)
Have you ever faced a time when everything seemed to fall apart, and hope felt like a distant dream? What helped you navigate through those moments of darkness? I invite you to share your experiences and insights in the comments below. Your story could be the light of hope someone else needs.
by Cori Leigh | Jun 12, 2024 | Faith
No matter what challenges you face today, your life holds a great purpose!
Every moment offers opportunities to grow, change, and heal. Purpose, peace, and healing often emerge while in the throes of life’s broken places. There is hope and a purpose that rises above the pain of our circumstances. However, many of us struggle to hold onto hope for a brighter tomorrow despite the challenges we face during tough times.
Like I did years ago and continue to today, take a moment to acknowledge where you are and how far you’ve come. Consider journaling about your experiences—what has challenged you the most, and what lessons have you learned? Writing down your thoughts can help you identify patterns and gain insight into your growth.
When hope fades, it’s easy to focus on what’s wrong. Instead, try to find one positive thing each day, no matter how small. It might be a kind word from a friend, a moment of peace, or a task you accomplished. Celebrate these small victories! They are stepping stones toward a greater purpose.
Embrace Healing
Years ago, I was overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, and panic attacks—each triggered by traumatic life events. When hope fades, it’s easy to focus solely on what’s wrong, which makes it difficult to see what’s right. This mindset can leave us feeling more stuck, making it challenging to discover a purpose that reaches beyond the pain of our circumstances.
This was me years ago. I felt trapped in my circumstances, with hope for a better and safer tomorrow seeming far out of reach. Healing and freedom from fear, worry, and anxiety appeared unattainable.
Just as I faced anxiety and panic attacks, it’s important to identify what triggers your stress and anxiety. This awareness can empower you to manage or avoid these triggers, creating space for healing.
Understand that healing is a journey that takes time. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself to feel what you feel without judgment. Practice self-care activities that nurture your soul, like taking a walk or spending time with loved ones.
Healing Through Writing
During this time, I wrote more than ever before. Writing became a healing ointment for my hurting heart. On paper, I could pour out my feelings about everything. Sometimes I read past journal entries from years past. In those times it’s a look at my life through previous writings. I see the broken woman I once was. Those pages hold broken dreams, seasons of grief, hopelessness, and sadness.
Start Journaling: Just as I found healing in writing, you can too. Start by journaling your thoughts and feelings each day. Don’t worry about structure—let the words flow naturally. Over time, you may find that journaling helps you process emotions and gain clarity.
Reflect on Your Progress: Revisit your old journal entries to see how much you’ve grown. This can be a powerful reminder of your resilience and the progress you’ve made.
Finding Peace in Faith
In my broken and anxious, fearful heart, God met me there. I’m still in awe of how Jesus sprinkled His light of hope in my darkness—enough to carry me through each day. He gave me hope and a purpose that reached beyond my pain. I could finally dance in the rain—not because all my problems vanished, but because I had hope.
Lean into your faith it during difficult times. Wrapping yourself in the love of a loving God. Let Jesus comfort and remind you that you’re not alone.
Remember, peace isn’t the absence of problems but the presence of hope in the midst of them.
Regardless of the extent of your suffering, past or present, there is hope and a future! One that leads to brighter tomorrow.
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below…
Can you remember a time when you were in a dark season?
How did you find hope for a better tomorrow?
by Cori Leigh | Jun 5, 2024 | Journey From Anxiety to Peace
Anyone who has suffered a panic attack knows how horrible they are. I struggled for so many years with terrible panic attacks. They came out of the blue multiple times a day. Eventually, I became so afraid of when the next one would come. I didn’t know how to calm myself down when panic struck.
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