For the last couple of years audiobooks have been my source of entertainment. It makes my heart “happy” to clean, grocery shop, (anything really) and listen to my book at the same time.
But I have been trying to stop and rest for some time, so I tried, to read a book, color, build those cute bookshelf stoppers… I mean it looks so calming on other people’s Instagram posts! But it wasn’t working for me, I didn’t feel at peace, I felt like I should have been doing ANYTHING else but that. I would have these moments of overwhelming anxiety, where I would shake, my heart would feel like it was coming out of my chest, I had to meet my sales at work, get my daughter to all her doctor appointments, have a clean house with two dogs and have dinner on the table… So, I thought the coloring books would do the trick, I mean the coloring books were Christian, and cute, how could they give me anxiety, right?!
Then I realized I was spending money on things that would help me be creative seeking joy and peace instead of seeking for the Creator himself.
As a person who has suffered with depression and anxiety for years, I will tell you that joy, peace, and hope are all something we can have and we don’t have to buy absolutely anything, we just have to surrender all that makes us feel heavy to HIM and have faith that he will do with it what is best for us, and that He loves us so much that in return he feels us up with the Holy Spirit!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.-Romans 15:13