Being a woman of faith, mental illness can be a tricky subject. I have a horrible habit of blaming myself for not being "good enough" for God to heal my depression and anxiety. I feel like if I tick all the boxes: Bible study, Praise and Worship, watching Joyce Meyer and Priscilla Shirer, praying, and doing things that align with my calling that God will SURELY "fix me." And you know what? There are people who find healing through faith, and I love that for them. But it isn't for me to know why my anxiety remains.
Today, I'm going to start looking into some behavior modifications and changes I want to make to see if my anxiety over certain work tasks will make me less miserable. Because I don't want to lose my job or leave my job - but I also don't want to feel dread in my gut at the thought of signing in to our systems each morning either.
I have spent the last month reading and watching Mel Robbins, Priscilla Shirer, Ryan Holiday, and Chrystal Hurst (and many others) taking notes on their ideas. I then went to Chat GPT and input my problems, how I would like to solve them, the people who inspire me, and had it ask me some questions to find out more information.
Below is what it came up with (anything in bright pink is something that I am adding or my personal changes/notes):
My Foundation if Faith & Focus.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
God’s peace is already mine - I will be learning about how to return to that peace in the moment, over and over. I know that this will not completely eliminate triggers but build a resilient inner sanctuary that isn’t shaken by them.
The plan is: Retrain, Reframe, & Reinforce.
1. 🔁 RETRAIN: Your New Pattern in the Moment
📍When anxiety strikes (before or during work), follow this 5-minute Peace Reset:
Step 1: Ground in God
Repeat slowly:
“I am not alone in this. God is with me and goes before me.”
“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:2
Step 2: Body Reset
→ Breathe in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4 (Box Breathing, 3 rounds)
→ Tense every muscle for 5 seconds, then release (Progressive relaxation)
→ Do 1-minute forward fold or child’s pose (signal safety to your nervous system)
Step 3: Command Your Mind (Mel Robbins style)
Say out loud or in your head:
“5-4-3-2-1… I’m safe. I can do this. I’m not a slave to this feeling.”
2. 🧠 REFRAME: Calm the Narrative (Mindset + Stoicism + Faith)
Let’s take your current anxious thoughts and reprogram them with truth and strength.
| Anxious Thought | Reframe (Truth Statement) |
|---|---|
| “This is stupid.” | “This is hard, but I’m capable.” |
| “How do they expect us to do this?” | “I will do what I can with what I have. The rest is not mine to carry.” |
| “Why does nothing ever work right?” | “This is a test of patience. I am training myself to respond, not react.” |
🧩 Ryan Holiday insight:
“The obstacle is the way.”
Your current situation isn’t punishment—it’s a training ground for the calm, powerful woman you’re becoming.
3. 📅 REINFORCE: Daily Habits to Strengthen the System
Let’s solidify this growth through tiny, regular habits that protect your mind and body.
✝️ Morning
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10 minutes: Bible + prayer + worship (already solid 🙌)
-
2-minute prayer before clocking in:
“Lord, go before me. I give You this day. Make me a vessel of Your peace.”
🧘♀️ Midday (or after customer interaction)
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1-minute child’s pose or desk stretch
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Repeat: “I breathe in peace. I exhale tension. God is here.” Do some breath prayers here.
🛌 Night
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Journaling prompt (5 minutes):
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When did I feel anxious today?
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How did I respond?
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What would I do differently tomorrow, with God’s help?
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Gratitude for one thing that did go well
-
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Scripture to sleep on: Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
🙏 Faith Practices
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Scripture Breathwork:
Inhale: “The Lord is my shepherd”
Exhale: “I shall not want” -
Prayer Pauses:
Create tiny sabbath moments throughout your day. 2 minutes, eyes closed:
“God, center me in Your peace. I trust You with this moment.” -
Sacred Journaling Prompt (at lunch or after work):
→ Where did I let anxiety take the lead today? What would I do differently tomorrow with God’s help?
Reflect
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What situation made me anxious today?
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What old response did I fall into?
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What new, calm response would I like to train?
Reframe
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What lie did anxiety tell me?
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What truth will I choose next time?
Renew
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Scripture to claim tonight: _______
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My prayer of surrender: _______
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