“Stress can be an addiction and worry can be our lunge for control and we forget the answer to this moment is always yes because of Christ.” – One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
A thought dawned on me as I was teaching a nutrition class on proper sugar management. And it lingered…
During the class, I talk about what happens to blood glucose levels when you eat too many simple carbohydrates and the host of problems this can ignite. While I may not have a problem with sugar management, I have another self-debilitating addiction – stress and worry. Thus, the never-ending cycle of peaks and valleys is not untrodden territory to me. I think it’s safe to say that all of us go through ups and downs at various points in our lives. As the saying goes, life is a roller coaster ride.
The sad truth is, after years and years of this constant pattern and stress becoming an increasingly powerful force in my life, even when life is pretty darn good, I’m not enjoying these moments to the fullest. Instead, I start to worry and prepare myself for when things will take a downward turn. Living life to the fullest, I am not. I simply exist under the unrelenting weight of anxiety.
I know this post is quite different from my usual food or nutrition-related posts, but as a holistic dietitian, I believe it’s just as important to fuel our minds as it is to fuel our bodies. So what if I eat a clean diet and practice yoga >3 times a week? If I’m being honest with myself, I know that I’m a walking stress bomb. And you know how stress can wreak havoc on your body, right? If not, then I suggest you read this post first – How to reduce cortisol naturally. Go ahead. I shall wait for ya ;).
Just as I encourage my clients to take baby steps as they seek to eat more healthfully and mindfully, overcoming emotional addictions should also be approached as a journey. But where do you even begin? My answer came in the form of a book – One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. For those of you who share in my struggle of finding peace and joy, this book is a game changer.
For so long, my solution to fighting off stress and anxiety has been trying with all my might to block them off from my mind. Of course, this strategy is doomed to fail just like with dieting. As you know, I take a non-diet approach because dieting is based on deprivation. Whether you meticulously count your carbs, eat only at certain times of the day, label foods as “good or bad,” eat only the “safe” foods, chew gum to fight off hunger, and so on, I’m pretty sure the long-term outcomes haven’t been so positive, despite your best efforts. That’s because anytime you restrict yourself from certain foods, it actually heightens your desire for those foods. Oh, the irony. The more you try to avoid, the more powerful your craving for that particular food becomes. Unfortunately, once you give into that craving, it will lead to loss of self-control, so binging followed by feelings of guilt. Sound familiar?
// A must read! The Problem with Dieting via Alex from Delish Knowledge
It sure is a vicious cycle, just like my way of dealing with stress and anxiety. By telling myself that stress is the ultimate evil and I should do everything I can to avoid it, I actually gave it more power. It totally consumed me, and I felt like a failure despite my best efforts and intentions.
As I flipped through the pages of the book, my eyes began to open to the power of giving thanks. After about a month of journaling, I’ve come to realize that my addiction is powerless in the presence of a heart overflowing with gratitude.
“Eucharisteo always precedes the miracle.” – One Thousand Gifts
Yes, our house is still on the market with very few showings, but I give thanks for this opportunity to grow in patience and trust in the Lord.
Yes, I feel extremely burnt out trying to juggle work, blogging, cooking, and everything else. But I give thanks for a job that I love and pays the bills. I give thanks for this humble space of mine where I can pour out my heart and creativity.
Yes, I struggle daily with low self-esteem, but I give thanks for my husband who loves me and all of me. Most importantly, I give thanks because The Lord loved me enough to send His one and only son to die for my sins.
Yes, I feel like I’ve failed my family by being childless after 8 years of marriage, but I give thanks for all the quality time we’ve gotten and continue to spend as a couple. I give thanks because His timing is always perfect.
“Thanksgiving always precedes the miracle.”
Here’s what this new habit of keeping a daily gratitude journal has taught me:
I recognize stress for what it is, and rather than trying so hard to avoid it, I now look for ways to cultivate gratitude even in the midst of trying and difficult times. I say YES to this very moment because of Christ. He never leaves my side, and I say YES to here and now.
Here are some tips I’ve found to be helpful when keeping a gratitude journal
- Don’t just go through the motions. After a while, journaling may turn into a task to be crossed off your to-do list. Instead, feel and believe what you write.
- Don’t set limitations. There will be days when you can’t stop writing and others when you struggle to write even one. That’s perfectly ok! This is not a race to see how quickly you can fill up the pages. Also, don’t feel like you have to write at the same time every day. As thoughts cross your mind, jot them down right then and there.
- Do write from your heart, not from your head. Feel and believe what you write.
- Be specific and elaborate. Otherwise, your list will get redundant and uninspiring. For example, instead of saying “I’m thankful for my sister,” say “I’m thankful for my sister for sending me an encouraging text today.”
Now your turn!
There is always always always something to be thankful for. What are you thankful for today? Jot them down right now and everyday from here on out. Experience for yourself the inexpressible joy that will begin to overflow from your heart.
Hi Min,
I’m Judy, the editor of Today’s Dietitian. I’m in the process of finalizing the editing of the Pumpkin foods feature article running in the November issue, and I just happened to visit your blog again. I love this post. As I was reading it, the verse from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 came to mind and lo and behold it was pinned on your bulletin board! I too suffer from much stress and anxiety even though I have the Lord as well. I pray daily, read and meditate on scripture, and it helps me a great deal. The Lord promises to never leave me nor forsake me, and He helps me deal with my stress and anxiety by being in control of my life and circumstances. I try to defer to Him for everything.
BTW I absolutely love your photography, and I noticed that you are a good writer. Every think about writing for Today’s Dietitian? Let me know.
In Him,
Judy
https://virtuouswomanministry.blogspot.com
https://jriddlephotography.com
Hi Judy! It’s so lovely to connect with you!! Yes, I strive to meditate on scripture the second stress and anxiety begin to creep up on me and take shelter under His wings.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I do some freelance writing but not a lot. Please tell me more about what writing for Today’s Dietitian entails ;). I’m also thankful that you shared your websites! I can’t wait to spend some time reading about how the Lord has worked in your life. And your photos…gosh I sure wish you could teach me how to take beautiful nature photos. I love food photography,but I sure could expand my repertoire
This is such a wonderful post Min. I love the concept of a gratitude journal and everytime I start one I always seem to lose touch with it. I need to make this part of my routine because you’re right, it definitely is a game changer and makes you put things in perspective! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Elizabeth! Thank you so much for reading. Yes, it definitely took me a while to get in the habit of writing in my gratitude journal DAILY. I love how you put it- a game changer, for sure 😉
I love this post! It’s true, worrying is a vicious cycle… I have been an avid journal write her for years, and I advocate the gratitude journal, love to hear others doing that, too! I missed the moving part, are leaving Austin? House selling stress is rough!
Thanks, Kristen! Yes, I carry my journal around with me everywhere so I can jot down and capture in words all the blessings He has given me. No, we are staying in Austin! Just downsizing ;).
Dear, sweet Min… it feels like you read my heart completely when you wrote the post. I’ve been going through ups and downs lately (big changes in my life these days!) and like you said, being a worrywart never allows us to focus on the present and enjoy it to the fullest. Juan and I will be moving to Washington because he manged to get an internship there, and I will be trying to bring blogging to another level (since I will be needing it as a source of income). It’s scary to think that we will be in a completely different place and situation, and thank you so much for your assurance that it’s our gratitude that will change the circumstances we are in. Thanks for the quote that thanksgiving always precedes the miracle.
I love you, friend!!
Hi Felicia! Wow! Can’t believe you guys are moving to Washington. It seems like yesterday you moved to Argentina to be with the man of your dreams…life is just full of surprises, no? Although this time of transition may bring you a lot of heartache as you say goodbye to all your loved ones and all the things that have found their way into your heart, I know He has great plans for you both. It’s hard to see, and whenever his plans don’t align with mine. So I continue to meditate on these words:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. ~Isiah 55:8-9
You and Juan are in my thoughts and prayers!
This post is perfection (and so is your handwriting). So glad to hear things are looking up! XO
Just stumbled upon your website via instagram #rdeats hashtag. Loved reading this post. I have been feeling very grateful lately…wondering if that’s part of what has been keeping my anxiety subdued.
Thanks, Marisa! It’s lovely to connect with you! I definitely think it’s part of it ;). It’s hard to focus on the negative when your heart is rejoicing and embracing even the littlest things in life that oftentimes gets overshadowed by our destructive thoughts.
I’m thankful for your post! I’ve realized lately that sometimes I don’t allow myself to enjoy each moment because I worry when the next stressful event is going to take place. Thanks for a good reminder to be grateful in each moment, even in stressful ones! I also love that you point out keeping the gratitude journal shouldn’t add to your daily stress because I have definitely been there too. We are all so blessed!
Living IN the moment seems to be a constant struggle in my life. However, I’m taking baby steps to get myself out of the vicious habits and foster new ones that will sustain not destroy me. Yes! We are all blessed beyond words 😉
Such a wonderful post! It’s all so true and we all need to remember this!
I loved this post so much! I used to struggle with stress and anxiety so much (I still do occasionally) and what has really helped is reminding myself of all that I have to be grateful for. I like to write down my favourite part of my day in my journal each night to remind myself how lucky I am, and how much worse off I could be. It’s hard, though! The struggle is constant and you really have to be present 100% of the time.
It’s as if you were speaking to me today Min. So many of the emotions and feelings about work, life, and family relationships are the exact things I am feeling too. I too turn to my faith more than once a day to remind myself of the positive things I should be grateful for— or express more gratitude for. While it might not instantly change my mood, it definitely helps. Hugs from afar xo.
Oh Min, this is such a lovely post. Thanks for sharing it – I can relate to so much of what you describe (so you’re not alone!). I’m going to check out that book today. I completely agree that focusing on gratitude helps tremendously. It puts things in perspective for me. I just need to be more consistent!
Can’t wait for you to check out the book, Anne!! It’s a bit hard to read at times (her style of writing is very poetic and deep), but she creates such beautiful imagery of how HE is with us always. Consistency is what I struggle with the most in life as well! I’m really trying to foster good habits, like journaling, in hopes that these practices will help me get through life, no matter how dark and hopeless it may seem at times.
Min, this is amazing. It’s seriously like you took the thoughts out of my brain. It really is so hard to be stressed and worried when you are thankful. I always try to remember (but it’s definitely more challenging some days than others) “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” — 1 Thessalonians 16-18 xxoo
and oh my gosh, I just noticed you have that on your bulletin board!! 🙂
Yes! It’s one of the verses that’s just ingrained in my heart. It’s what I struggle with most to follow..give thanks in ALL circumstances?! How is that possible? And I realize through prayers that it IS with if I keep my eyes fixated on Him.
I love reading this. So many of us struggle with stress and worry, it is so brave of you to express your own struggles. Honestly just opening up about it will help so many others I am sure! Love your idea of writing down something you are grateful for everyday, I actually just bought a journal a few months ago for exactly that. Helps SO much. Great post Min 🙂
Thanks, Selena. You know, I had my gratitude journal for more than a year before I actually started writing in it..don’t know what took me so long! Can’t wait for you to start filling up those empty spaces ;). It’s fun to look back and see what I wrote in the past as it serves a reminder that daily struggles are REAL, but He is faithful 😉