Day 5 of '30 Day Spiritual Journal Challenge'

Tuesday, September 5th: What is one thing that is stressing you out right now? How can you find rest in Jesus during this time? What other ways can you address the stress and eliminate it?


I have honestly felt like my hypochondria and anxiety is creeping up a little bit. It is very frustrating for me because I know I'm the only one that can fix the situation-- I'm the only one that can work with God Almighty and control my own mind. I have an issue where every time something hurts on my body, i instantly think the worst situation possible. It is very aggravating for me because when I feel like something is wrong, my anxiety increases as well leading to hyperventilation, etc. 

I HAVE TO REST IN JESUS.

He is the ONLY one that can fix my situation. Another human being can't fix my brain-- they can't rework it. It is only HIS peace that can heal this.

Psalms 4:8 says, "When I go to bed, I sleep in peace, because, Lord, you keep me safe."

And I keep trying to trust what He says in Psalms 85.

Psalms 85:8- "I heard what the Lord God said. He said there would be peace for his people and his loyal followers. So they must not go back to their foolish way of living." 

He said there would be PEACE for His people-- and if I am His child-- He promised I would have peace. I just have to trust...

as hard as that is for me some days!

When I feel anxiety creeping up lately, I have been trying to recenter myself. Get a hot bath, watch a comedy, lay down and read the Word, sing worship songs... whatever it takes to bring myself back to earth... back to a place of rest. 

Day 4 of '30 Day Spiritual Journal Challenge'

Monday, September 4th: What is your best characteristic (outwardly and inwardly?) 


Hafiz stated, "The words you speak become the house you live in."


What are we speaking about ourselves?


I would say my best characteristic inwardly is my sense of humor/personality. I absolutely love having fun. I love laughing. I love making jokes. Sometimes it IS hard for me to be serious, but I love that aspect. I try to laugh about just about anything! 

I would say my best characteristic outwardly is my smile. It just seems to be the one thing I get compliments on. I always hear that it looks genuine. I feel like it is genuine most days. I just feel happy and bubbly inside and that hopefully is emitted from my pearly whites! 

Day 3 of '30 Day Journal Challenge'

Sunday, September 3rd: What is your favorite passage of scripture? Why? 

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am....' (Paul wrote this in 1 Corinthians 15:9)

By the grace of God, I am what I am.

I dont deserve to be anything for Him... When I restarted my relationship with Him, all I could say.. All I could offer... Was a repentant heart. Thats it. That's all I have. That's all He had to work with.

By the grace of God, I am what I am. By His grace, I haven't had alcohol in 27 days. By His grace, I crave the word of God. By His grace, I don't have to live in shame. By His grace, I get to experience His peace and love. By His grace, I get to live redeemed. 

Those words keep hitting home today, guys.

By the grace of God, I am what I am. This is going to be my new mantra. I don't deserve any of it!! But His mercy is new every single day!!!! 

By the grace of God, I get to do this every morning. I get to experience Him every morning. By the grace of God, I get to praise Him taking my daughter to school in the morning instead of pulling over half way there because the anxiety is too great. By the grace of God, I get to read His word every morning instead of laying in bed, scared of what the day was going to bring. By the grace of God, I get to rest in repentance and forgiveness instead of wallowing in shame and pity!

And by the grace of God, I am what I am. A sinner saved by grace.

Day 2 of '30 Day Journal Challenge'

Saturday, September 2nd: How do you show yourself love? If you haven't been 'great' at showing yourself love, how can you start?

I haven't always been great at showing myself love. I have a tendency of putting everything BEFORE my mental and spiritual health, but I have been trying to do better about it. We used to never have a bedtime routine for our kids. They would fall asleep at random places, at random times-- most of the time in our beds. I started dreading bed time because I got zero time with my husband and zero time with myself. I KNEW things had to change. So, we started doing a solid bed time routine in June. We began putting the kids to bed at 7:45 and they are typically asleep by 8:30PM. It has been SO peaceful. I finally get time to lay in bed, take a hot bath, eat whatever I want, read the Bible, watch TV... it is amazing! I love finally getting to take care of myself and LOVING myself! 

Day 1 of '30 Day Spiritual Journal Challenge'

Friday, September 1st: What are 3 life lessons you've learned so far on your journey?



Life hasn't always been simple-- but I think through how complicated it has been, I've learned a few lessons I've been able to carry with me.

1- I can always depend on God. Even when it seems like I can't-- even when I don't understand what He is doing-- I can rest in Him. I feel like I always get so worked up about situations and then when I have time to sit down and focus, I can finally find peace when I think, 'He will take care of this.' He doesn't want us stressed out and worried. He wants us to rest in Him. He will always work things out.

2- I am in control of my mind. As someone who has always struggled with anxiety and has had bouts of depression, one thing I have learned over the years is I AM IN CONTROL. My mind does not have control over my actions and thoughts-- I DO. This has been a great tool in overcoming certain battles. I'm not 100% and I still struggle with some situations, BUT I am learning this lesson over and over again. I AM IN CONTROL OF MY MIND.

3- A gentle voice calms situations. It has taken me many arguments and many years to realize that when I raise my voice-- nothing good comes from the situation. When I take my time, speaking calmly and rationally- situations have a better chance of working themselves out!