I'm familiar with the weight you’re carrying because I’ve felt it too. We look at the world around us and it feels like it's going to hell in a handbasket. Between the headlines of wars, invasions, and threats of famine, and the literal shaking of the earth beneath our feet, it is a terrifying time to be raising a family. For a single mother, these global crises aren't just news stories; they add a heavy layer to the "everyday grind". The relentless pressure to keep your head above water when the waves just won't stop coming.
The anxiety we feel isn’t a personal failure or a lack of faith; it is a natural response to a world that feels increasingly unstable. Whether you are a young mother wondering how your children will ever survive on their own, or you’re like a dear 80-year-old friend of mine who is struggling to cope because life didn't turn out the way she planned, these fears are visceral. Here are the common stressors many of us are facing today:
These fears are real, and the threat is genuine. But I want to tell you today that while these things are happening, they do not have to be the end of your story.
When the storms are howling, we have to be very careful about where we spend our limited energy. It is so easy to exhaust ourselves trying to fix things that are completely out of our hands. I’ve learned that the onus is on us to stop depending on things that are ever-changing—like job rules or the economy and instead look for a permanent source of stability. It’s about protecting your heart and mind by choosing where to look.
We can stop wasting our strength on the "what-ifs" and start leaning into what actually brings peace:
Things We Can't Control
Where to Place Our Energy
Global invasions, wars, and famines
Opening an honest dialogue with the Lord
Arbitrary changes to work rules or "the way things are done"
Strengthening your spiritual foundation
The past or the plans that didn't work out
Talking to God about your specific needs right now
Other people’s decisions that affect your home or savings
Finding a rest that doesn't depend on the world's rules
I know this works because I lived it. I was a divorced mom left to raise two toddlers, ages two and four, all by myself. I know that heart-pounding fear of not knowing where the next meal is coming from or if we’d lose our roof. But looking back now that my children are grown, I can see that those needs were met. It wasn’t as bad as my anxiety told me it would be. When we hit the limit of what we can do, we usually find ourselves at a crossroads—and for most of us, that crossroads happens at 3:00 AM.
We’ve all been there: lying in the dark at 3:00 AM, heart racing, chest tight with palpitations, and a mind spinning through a million things that are wrong. It’s exhausting. But I want to encourage you to see those sleepless hours not as a burden, but as a "whisper" from the Lord. For months, I struggled through those nights until I finally heard Him say, “Come talk to me.”
That invitation changed everything. I stopped "blabbering" to myself about my problems and started talking to the only One who could actually do something about them. If you are feeling burdened and overwhelmed, try this Prayer Process:
The result isn't always that the problems go away instantly, but the internal storm goes quiet. You can be physically tired but mentally and spiritually calm.
Think of a ship in the middle of a storm. Without an anchor, it’s just going to be tossed about by every wave. For us, dropping our anchor in Christ is what steadies the ship. It’s the difference between being lost at sea and staying grounded while the storm passes.
Quote of the Week: "Problems weren't solved, challenges were still there. Anxiety took a back seat to peace."
You don’t have to carry the physical toll of this life anymore. You don't have to live with the headaches and backaches that come from constant stress. By dropping your anchor, you let go of the physical weight and find the strength to keep moving forward, one grateful step at a time.
I am so glad you spent this time with me today. Please remember, you aren't alone in this journey. I’m just out here getting some sun on my skin and being grateful for the chance to walk and talk with you. Let’s stay connected and keep supporting each other as we navigate these choppy waters together.
https://solomomstalk.mysites.io/podcast-2-copy/what-to-do-when-life-seems-out-of-your-control
