Contemplating Anxiety

Anxiety - what a word.  I am sure this word causes a different reaction for everyone.  Most of us either have our own story of anxiety or we know someone who does!  Clearly, we live in a culture that is familiar with its causes, effects, challenges, and lessons learned.  In my own life, anxiety has caused my family and me a great deal of pain and disruption throughout the years.  Yes, years, because my battle began in 4th grade. And after 30 years, I can honestly say that even through anguish, melancholy, & struggle, that God has sovereignly guided me every step along the way.  He has never forsaken me; He deserves all the praise for how He has carried me through it all and continues to carry me still! I know that He can take this struggle from me, but until/if He does, by His grace, I will continue to take one moment at a time by His kind and amazing grace.

Why on earth would I write a post on this subject?  The desire is for any friend who is walking this same road to be encouraged.  You are not alone. And, if anything that has encouraged me throughout this journey, can encourage you, then praise God!  

Here are some specifics on how I have walked this journey. 

1. Biblical Counseling ~ Words cannot begin to describe the depths of healing that have come through my precious counselor’s repeated speaking of the truth of Scripture into my life.  She helped me understand situations from God’s perspective, and at times, simply confirmed what I was thinking. Discipleship Ministry is what my counselor calls her line of work, and that, it TRULY is!  In fact, her phone number is one of the only numbers that I have memorized :)

2. Exercise ~ It gets my body moving and helps me get out of my head! I prefer outdoors, so I can deeply breath in the fresh air.  I take this time to walk in silence, sing, listen to podcasts, or chat with friends and family. This has been so helpful that I put my walks in the calendar to ensure that they happen!  Taking the time to focus on our own spiritual, mental, emotional, & physical health not only benefits us, but strengthens us to care for those around us well! So, please do not underestimate what 5 minutes of exercise can do for the body to release your anxiety and prepare you to love others well. (adaa.org)

3. Sharing with understanding friends & family ~ This is a HUGE one!  Opening up to select friends and/or family is freeing and helps them understand you.  It also might encourage those who struggle to open up, too, and it is always exciting to see God work in those moments to bring them freedom and encouragement.  They also remind me that I am not walking this road alone. We can encourage one another, and I can bounce thoughts off of them! I am EXTREMELY grateful for these dear friends.  

4. Medication/Supplemental options ~ This subject might be a bit controversial, so please hear my heart.  There is a time and place for anti-anxiety medication. I have needed anti-anxiety meds twice in my life, and I am grateful for this option.  What a gift that we have doctors who have studied the brain and understand how it works. On the other hand, I also take various whole-food based nutritional capsules, Omega’s, and a probiotic.  As I have researched, I have seen more and more that we must care for our bodies through good nutrition. It is simply unbelievable how what we place in our mouth affects the functioning of our body. By God’s grace, I do as much as I can nutritionally & medically, and trust the Lord to give grace through it all!

5. The Gospel ~ How does the gospel of Jesus refresh me?  When I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me. There was NOTHING I could do to earn the good news of salvation by faith in Christ alone by grace.  Nothing! Even though my earthly struggle of anxiety continues on, my Savior saved me, continues to love me, AND extend his marvelous grace to me every day.  I didn’t deserve it. I didn’t earn it. But He chose to give me this amazing grace. I have much hope and extreme thankfulness through life due to this spiritual gift!  

6. Scripture ~ The Word is FULL of scriptures to encourage us through this journey.  Here are some truth treasures from the Word!

• 2 Corinthians 4:15 says, “For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.”

• 2 Corinthians 4.17 tells us that, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”  

• Proverbs 12:25 shares that, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

• John 1:16 encourages us - “For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”

• Isaiah 26:3 declares that, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”

If anxiety is part of your story, may you walk in hope that it isn’t the end of your story.  God has allowed it for a purpose. Trust Him, and rest in the knowledge that God’s grace is certainly enough for you. 

In His Grace ~ leigh anne

*The Gospel Coalition posted an article entitled “Is Anxiety a Sin?” This article is helpful in understanding anxiety in general.*

***Please know these are ONLY my own experiences. I encourage you to seek medical help, pastoral counseling, etc… if needed!***

Church Planting Mercies

*Before we moved away from Happy Valley, a lady from our church wanted to know if I would blog about church planting, especially to keep people informed about the church plant.  Thanks to that dear lady, here is my first post about church planting!*

These first 7 months of the Terre Haute Church Plant have been a sweet whirlwind!  Our family has traveled all over to see family & attend conferences. Various family & friends have visited our new locale.  And… the church plant has begun!

First of all, words cannot begin to describe how grateful we are to the Lord for having the precious opportunity to church plant again.  Church planting is rigorous & challenging, yet full of unexpected graces & gifts.  

Secondly, our dear denomination has poured prayer, love, & training into our lives.  Again, thankfulness seems like such a small word for the great kindness they have bestowed on us.  Our cups are overflowing with all we are learning and all the Lord is teaching us about Himself, His people, and this world.  Personally, I attended a Parakaleo (ministry to church planting spouses) women’s event in Nashville. The goal was to equip each woman with gospel tools to encourage herself and others.  Wow! My heart was full with the reminders of how the gospel of Jesus Christ heals & restores us. 

So far, what have I been learning and reminded of on this journey?

1. God has created us for relationships - with Him & others.  Be a student of those around me. Ask questions; listen attentively.  Care more about hearing than being heard.  

2. Everyone has a story.  Be careful of pre-judging others actions & words.  I never know what they might have walked through. Live in compassion & kindness.

3. My home needs to be a haven of hospitality for the community - local & those further away.  The Gospel Comes with a Housekey by Rosaria Butterfield has been instrumental in this perspective.  Is my home full of grace & truth for the world? Living a grace-filled missional life is imperative as believers in Christ, but always with wise & life-giving boundaries.  I have found that this might look like people walking into a MESSY home or to me brushing my teeth :) Either way, hospitality must be part of the rhythm of my life.  

4. Live life on mission.  Boy oh boy, this has been tested these past 7 months.  With all the changes with the move, a son being diagnosed with food allergies, a car accident, sick parents, traveling, and numerous visits from friends and family have caused me to feel “done.”  When I have felt stretched super thin, I wonder how can I live on mission. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says that “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Walking through all of the above is part of my mission. The journey is just as important as the destination. My overall mission is to glorify God in ALL I say & do.  And, as a side note, it is just as important to live missional in my personal life as it is my non-personal life. This is a calling that only a gracious God can enable me to live out.

5. Community is key.  If I didn’t realize it before now, I do now!  I look forward to our monthly worship services, and Lord willing, weekly services soon (hmm… part of that may be that I have a huge crush on the preacher 😍)  Truly, there is nothing like being connected with others who are walking on mission alongside of you!  

6. God is full of grace upon grace.  I have been in absolute awe of how God has graciously provided care for our family through various means.  Why do I doubt God’s goodness? Why do I question His care? I am hopeful that these rocks of remembrance are seared into my heart & mind - that I don’t ever forget His concern & tenderness towards me. 

7. Finally, for now, our family is right where the Lord wants us.  Time and time again, the Lord has affirmed His calling to be in the Midwest.  I would be fibbing if I said the transition from east-coast to the Midwest has been easy.  God has never called His people to what is always easy, but to obey & trust His good heart.  May I be able to say that through His strength, His grace is enough for me.

Friends, thank you for your prayers for our family as we have joined the dear people of Terre Haute to share the living hope of Jesus with the city.  Please continue to pray for protection, grace to spew from our lives, & the hope of the gospel to transform lives.  

Living Hope Church’s mission statement is as follows:

“By God’s grace, we are living life as mission for His glory and the good of our city through proclaiming His word, building up one another, and engaging all people with the unshakeable hope of the gospel.”

In His Grace ~ leigh anne

Why Be Thankful?

Tonight, I am writing at our local, new coffee shop.  Yahoo! The taste of coffee, the sound of music, the beautiful scenery outdoors, and modern decor is utterly enjoyable to me.  For those who know me personally, you know that this is one of my most favorite places to be ❤️
But... life does not always look like our favorite place with our favorite sounds and smells.  There are times when situations are challenging, difficult, and down-right tough to handle.  

In 2005, I was in a scary high-speed car accident on a major interstate.  Thank the Lord for sparing my life & all the others involved! My husband was close to losing his life through multiple pulmonary embolisms after a knee surgery.  Again, thank the Lord for preserving his life! Recently, I was in another awful car accident in our new town. Yet again, the Lord was gracious & kind in protecting my life and the other lady involved.

Throughout difficult circumstances such as these, God has reminded me to be thankful. 

In His grace & strength, thankfulness CAN be the response. Is it always my initial response?  NO! I wish it was, but alas, it is not. Oftentimes, panic and nervousness are my responses. Although, I am coming to see that even though hard things happen in my life, it doesn’t mean I need to despair.  Since I am super good at focusing on myself, my dad kindly reminded me that, “Leigh Anne, life is not all about you.” He meant that there is most likely a greater purpose in the pain and that my life just might be a conduit to show the love of Christ.  

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  It DOES NOT say to give thanks for the circumstance, but IN all circumstances. As believers, each moment of our life can lead us closer to the Savior who created us, sustains us, & loves us.  Simply amazing…. No matter what type of situation, it can still be used for the glory of God & our ultimate good!  

So what am I thankful for?  

• Thankful that I have another moment to love those around me.  

• Thankful that I have another day to share the goodness of my God with the world.  

• Thankful that God has purposes in the midst of all the pain & the good times.  

• Thankful for lessons learned in the heartache, uncertainty, and anxiety.  

• Thankful that God is the SAME no matter the situation.

Friend, is there a situation that has occurred in which you are struggling to give thanks? Can you be thankful for any of the above today?  By God’s grace & kindness, may you be encouraged that there is still MUCH to be thankful for even in the pain ❤️

In His Grace ~ leigh anne

A Cheerleader & A Pastor's Wife

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This is me! ❤️

Seems like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? 

Back in the day, I practically lived & breathed cheerleading.  I will spare my non-cheerleading friends all the details!  

Why would I write about this? 

These 2 titles placed together have made me feel like an outsider at times.  God has used this to remind me of my true identity, while reminding me of MANY truths.  Before the world was created, God knew this would be my story. The Creator of this Universe knew the purposes He had for me.  

The same for you, friend.  YOU were created for a purpose that only you can fulfill by God’s amazing grace!

I have learned that…

~ God uses me in His perfect way.  His ways are higher than mine. Do not pretend to be someone that I am not.  God made me - not me to imitate someone else’s personality and likes/dislikes.  

~ I am made in the image of the Holy God - “Imago Dei.”  I should not malign His creation.

~ It doesn’t matter what picture of “Pastor’s Wife” is out there.  I do not need to meet an expectation that is not one that the Lord has for me.  I must listen & obey His still small voice in my life. Essentially - live for an audience of One.

~ Even though I might not be everyone’s cup of tea, that is truly okay.  It is completely fine to not be best friends with everyone. See each person as precious people made in the image of the Lord, and love them well.  

~ It is okay to laugh and be energetic when appropriate.  Dictionary.com says that a cheerleader is an enthusiastic and vocal supporter of someone or something! In Ecclesiastes 8:15 Solomon commends, “joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.” Sometimes ALL OF US need to stop and truly find joy in the life God has given us.  Every moment is truly a gift, and there are MANY reasons to give thanks!

And as a side note, for those who are involved in a church, every pastor could use a cheerleader - someone (whether you are a pastor’s wife or a member of the congregation) who cheers them on & encourages them to seek godliness & to live on mission.  

As you continue to live out the mission that the Lord has created you to fulfill, may you be encouraged to live all your life fully for His glory, while knowing the He does not make mistakes. You are fearfully & wonderfully made! 

In His Grace ~ leigh anne

Thoughts on the Christian Faith & Healthy Living

For those who know me well, they know how passionate I am about healthy living!  My interest in nutrition & exercise began in middle school/high school as a cheerleader & gymnast. I had a fantastic cheer coach who positively encouraged us in our healthy living pursuits.  It continued into college as a cheerleader & dancer & a lover of many health-focused things. I enjoyed running trails in the Mohican State Forest, running road races with friends, & working out whenever possible. When I got married, I began to learn more about the specifics of food & what we were actually consuming. YIKES! Some of it was super good for you, while other items were NO GOOD! I started learning about nitrates, hydrogenated oils, etc…  And as our marriage has continued, I have learned more about the food & health connection. Essentially, how we fuel our bodies and the type of fuel we place in our bodies can hurt or help it!

But with all of this being said, there is SO much more to health & wellness than food & exercise.  Drinking water, managing stress, and getting good sleep daily is vital for living a healthy life.

Everyone knows that as human beings, we cannot ever get it all right. Something is bound to lack simply due to the fact that we cannot do it all as humans. Even though this might sound discouraging, there is SO MUCH good news!

Our journey to healthy living must begin in the soul/heart.  We can have each one of the above in working order, but not have our heart right with God.  If this is the case, we are living a healthy lifestyle ALL in vain. There is no purpose, no ultimate goal for what we are pursuing.  I would encourage people who want to seek a healthy living lifestyle to first look at their soul.

Do I know the God who created me?

Am I right with Him?  

Am I living for His glory?

The Creator is the one who knows us better than we know ourselves. He can heal any pain, redeem broken places, & give joy & hope to our days.  But most importantly, He saves us from our own muck & mire! We can seek healthy things, but we cannot make our soul right with God. We need a perfect Savior who can do this!  This is the beginning of a healthy life - trusting in our Savior to wipe away our sin & live a life for Him!

In 1 Timothy 4:8, we see that ”for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”  

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How do we see faith and healthy living meshing together?

1. In Daniel, we see him asking to not eat the King’s food & wine, but eat vegetables.  After 10 days, he was healthier & better fed than those who ate the King’s food. Wow!  There is something to be said about eating the whole foods that come from the ground that God created. There is plenty of research on the power of fruits & vegetables on the human body. What a blessing that God knew exactly what He was doing when He created them!  Eat more plants!

2. Romans 14.20 says, “Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God.  Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.”  This verse MUST be paired with the rest of scripture. God has declared all clean. Therefore, it is okay to occasionally eat potato chips and drink a Coca Cola.  For many people, the idea of “all in moderation” when it comes to food is a healthy principle. A friend shared that she likes to live by the 80/20 Rule - 80% of food being healthy, while the other 20% is considered unhealthy.  May I encourage you to live in grace and liberty when it comes to food? By God’s grace, enjoy the food the Lord has given you, but guard against all foods being clean as a justification to overindulge in unhealthy food!

3. In 1 Corinthians 6, we read, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?  You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” Specifically, Paul was explaining holy sexual relationships here.  Although, we can see the importance of caring for our bodies - in all ways! Our body is a gift from the Lord; we are to be good stewards of it. We must glorify God in our body!  As a side note, we never want to make anything an idol in our life - health things included. What a gift that the Lord has said to glorify Him. This helps us to stay focused and not let the idol of health take over.

4. God has given us brilliant doctors & scientists who study the human body.  Since God is a God of order and not chaos, He has created our bodies to work in an organized and working fashion.  Due to sin & the human condition, our bodies will naturally go south. Thank the Lord we have people who have much knowledge due to their study of the amazing processes in which the body works and can give options to help heal our bodies.  It is good to read & read some more, trust God with making a decision, then go for it! Ultimately, our health is in our dear Creator’s hands. We can do the best we can and trust Him with the rest. What freedom this brings!

5. Lastly, food is fuel!  I have often looked at food as a way to enable my body to be fueled to do what God has purposed for me!  When I eat yucko food, I feel yucko :) I don’t have the energy or strength to do what is in front of me.  It is even hard to take care of the kiddos! What a gift God has given us with a variety of healthy, wholesome options from the land! Exciting!

One last thought… may I encourage you to not live a legalistic life in regards to your health & wellness journey.  Our lives are created for relationships - with God & others.

As much as we do need to do our best to stay healthy, we must not do so out of a selfish/self-seeking spirit or a spirit that does not value relationships.

Legalism & idolatry must not get in the way! Pray for the Lord to keep your health journey in the correct place. Our first aim in life as believers is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. How amazing that is!

I know there are MANY who have food allergies, sensitivities, or a history of abuse with food.  May the Lord give you much grace, hope, & strength as you walk your health journey & see the Savior walking with you through it all. Our family has a variety of food challenges, so I dearly understand.

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Today as you take your jog or drink another quart of water, please remember that your goal is to be right with the Savior who created you. Then with God’s strength, care for your body and love people!

In His Grace - leigh anne