For the Anxious Mama . . .

10 reminders for the mom struggling with anxiety:

1. You’re not a bad mom. Yes, your anxiety may make you feel like a failure or make you irritable and snappy with your kids. But you’re not a bad mom. If anything, you’re probably striving too much for perfection (because of your anxiety) and you need to give yourself more grace.
2. Your anxiety doesn’t get to dictate your life. Don’t let it. Don’t give it that much power over you.
3. Your faith is not the issue. I’ll say it again: Your faith is not weak. You’re not a bad Christian. Your brain and your heart are two different things. So while you love the Lord with all your heart, your mind may have a chemical imbalance that floods your body with that “fight or flight” response. 
4. God does not shame you for having anxiety. It’s not what He wants for your life, no. He doesn’t want you to be fearful and He doesn’t want you gripping for control over the future. But mental illness and every other illness is the result of the broken world we live in.
5. God will use your anxiety. Either to bring you closer to Him, to get you to learn to trust Him, or to bring glory to His kingdom–whatever it may be. He’s not going to let it go to waste.
6. Just because you have anxiety, doesn’t mean your kids will. Yes, it can be genetic but don’t stress over this. And if it does happen, don’t blame yourself. 
7. Don’t be ashamed of it. You keeping it to yourself and hiding it, isn’t going to help the other mama friend out there in the world who is going through the same thing. 
8. (Sorry but . . .) You’re not in control. Only God is. 
9. There is no shame in seeking help from someone. Counselor or doctor, one or the other, or both–just do it. They’re there for a reason, to help you.
10. Motherhood makes us more anxious. I’m convinced it’s a given. There are too many things to worry about in this world for it not to become worse. But it doesn’t need to steal your joy in motherhood (I know a book that would help you discover this!).

My book, Mama’s Got Anxiety: But It’s Not Going to Steal Her Joy is available wherever books are sold and digs in further to each of these reminders.