Episode 16 - If I Trust God, Why Do I Feel This Way?

One of the hardest things for sensitive, faith-filled women is discerning this question:
“Is this the Holy Spirit prompting me… or is this just worry?” Anxiety-driven thoughts tend to be loud, urgent, repetitive, and intrusive. They pull our attention forward into imagined threats and worst-case scenarios. Over time, that mental noise can make it harder to feel spiritually grounded—not because faith is weak, but because the nervous system is overwhelmed.   Faith, at its core, is trust in God. Anxiety, when it becomes excessive, often feels like the opposite—living in uncertainty, self-doubt, and a constant sense that something is about to go wrong. Anxiety Isn’t the Enemy Anxiety itself is not bad. It’s part of the way God designed our bodies to protect us. Healthy anxiety: Alerts us to danger Motivates preparation Helps us make thoughtful decisions Reveals what matters deeply to us But when anxiety becomes persistent, uncontrollable, and exhausting, it stops serving us. Instead of protecting us, it begins to interfere with daily life, relationships, rest, and even spiritual connection. This is where excessive worry can begin to masquerade as spiritual concern—especially for women who care deeply, take responsibility seriously, and want peace for everyone around them.   Why Anxiety Can Become Overwhelming?   Many people who struggle with anxiety share a few common patterns: A natural sensitivity or emotional vulnerability Long-term stress that never fully resolves Perfectionism or the pressure to “get it right” Feeling responsible for others’ emotions Holding onto guilt or regret long after mistakes are made None of these means something is “wrong” with you. Just as some families are more prone to physical conditions, some are more vulnerable to emotional ones. Vulnerability alone doesn’t cause anxiety disorders—but when stress and worry pile up without release, the system can overload. Spirit vs. Worry: How They Feel Different Here’s a gentle distinction many women find helpful: The Spirit is calm, clear, and invitational. Even when it warns, it brings peace alongside direction. Excessive worry is urgent, harsh, and repetitive, leaving you feeling powerless or trapped. The Spirit guides. Anxiety pressures.   Gentle Practices for Calming Anxiety (and Making Space for the Spirit) Instead of trying to eliminate anxiety—which often makes it louder—we can learn how to respond differently when it shows up. 1. Calm the Mind Practice compassionate, truthful self-talk.
Write or speak calming truths—scripture, affirmations, or visual reminders—that help your thoughts settle. Journaling can anchor these truths so they’re felt, not just thought. When I feel that looming feeling that something is not right….Or I am uneasy for no apparent reason, I turn to a section in our membership My Art Sisters called the Creative Reminders library and I take a minute and ask myself what statement in this library would help redirect my thinking? I have almost 1,000 statements, yet my mind will direct me to one for consideration. For example 861. Let’s take a moment and look that one up. 861 I choose to be an Ultimate Organizer who skillfully wears all the hats necessary to manage the responsibilities placed before me.   I ask God to renew my mind and give me the ability to flow from one task to another with ease. I will be a creative thinker open to receiving a new perspective to help me see clearly and think with clarity.  I am grateful for the gift of insight and the ability to see past the immediate task, to know what else needs to be done. I am grateful for heavenly inspiration, as I explore ideas that are creative and unusual...ideas that are not limited, or controlled by society's rules or tradition. Or. 455 I am grounded in peace. I trust God’s presence to bring calm to my heart and clarity to my mind. I am at peace with where I am and where I am going. You have the power to choose the words that feed your mind and create your emotions. 2. Calm the Body and Emotions When anxiety begins to rise, pause and slow everything down. Take a gentle breath in, then let the exhale linger a little longer. Simple grounding practices—like placing a hand on your chest or lightly tapping while whispering “release”—can help your body feel safe again. Creativity plays a powerful role here. Even a few minutes of coloring, painting, or simple art-making can calm the nervous system and gently bring you back into the present moment. Once your body has settled, you can revisit the situation with clarity. Use a reflective process like S.T.O.R.Y. after the intensity has passed, rather than trying to reason through it while emotions are heightened. Avoidance often gives anxiety more power. When you gently stay present and engage—without trying to fight or control the feeling—anxiety often loosens its grip over time. 3. Calm Your Sense of Identity and Worth Anxiety often attacks identity. Faith restores it. Your worth does not rise and fall with performance, approval, or productivity. It is constant. Rooted. Given by God. Create a personal “truth script” using scripture, hymns, or affirmations—words you can return to when worry tries to define you. And remember: mistakes are not failures. They are teachers. A peaceful life isn’t built on perfection, but on learning with grace. Closing Thought for the Podcast Understanding anxiety strengthens compassion, wisdom, and discernment. By calming the body and mind, we open ourselves to the Spirit’s guidance—spoken not in urgency or fear, but in peace, clarity, and trust.