Letting Go

Hey friends!

After about a week of illness running through our family it's safe to say we are on the mend and feeling so much better! We hadn't been sick in a long time (besides morning sickness for me haha!) and I forgot how difficult it can be to take care of sick kids, while being sick yourself.

Do you ever feel like you are standing still watching life pass by in a blur? That's what these past couple months have felt like. Everything feels so fast paced and all I want is to freeze time and slow the heck down! In the past I have had some deep struggles with anxiety (especially post partum) and I know many of you can relate to this. When life becomes so busy, I can feel the anxiety creep in.

This past week anxiety took ahold. I always hate admitting it, but it's the truth, and I know there's so many supportive people around me including my amazing husband who encourage me. With Brynn and I sick, and having to take care of Riley still amongst all the day to day things, work, toddler meltdowns and emotions etc. the weight of it felt too much. I knew if I let my thoughts continue down this trail, the trail of letting anxious thoughts take over, it would be a downward spiral. I know also pregnancy is a factor and hormones are definitely real haha!

Instead of letting the anxiety take ahold, I took a deep breath, and pushed those thoughts aside. I heard a whisper "Be Still". (Psalm 46:10) I envisioned taking a slow step forward and then pausing there, looking around and taking things in. The answer He was giving me seemed so simple. To pause after taking a step and thank God for being with me each step of the way. To take time to lift my head and look around at all the amazing things He has given us. The rest of the day I stopped to pause, pray, and be still whenever I was feeling overwhelmed. Just these simple acts allowed me to let go (insert Frozen song ha!) of any anxiety and align my thoughts back on Him and His plan for me. Letting go of trying to control and plan life out the way I think it should go is a challenge, but will bring so much freedom! Letting go of the little things, messes, not having everything "picture perfect" and surrendering it all, I've realized, brings so many opportunities for quality time spent with kids and family as well as simplifying life and slowing it down.

If you've stuck with me this far, thank you! I know many people struggle with anxiety and it's just so nice to know you aren't alone, as well as know you are supported and prayed for. Most of all, knowing that you can turn to God. I read this blog post by Ann Voskamp this week that I will link here. It was about why God doesn't heal people - one of the questions I had asked was why my anxiety wasn't healed? This post was so great and although we don't have all the answers, we can trust Him and know that He is full of love and compassion! It's such a great read! I'll leave you with this excerpt from the post:

"What if: God’s purposes are not so much for me to understand His plans: His plan is for me to understand Who He is. And He is my Peace.

What if: Prayer isn’t about getting what you desperately want, but about getting more of the One Who desperately wants you.

What if: You discover Jesus is really enough — when you discover Jesus is really all you have left."

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Love,

Lindsay

#anxiety #faithoverfear #bestill #lettinggo