In the part 1 book review of Sara Wallace’s Created to Care: God’s Truth for Anxious Moms (click here for the post), recommendations were given for who might want to buy this book. This part 2 article provides from the book – a long list of some fresh ways for any reader to think about anxiety. There’s so much to take in below that you may want to print or bookmark the article in order to fully absorb all these nuggets.

Your Job Is Not To Get It All Right

God is showing your children the gospel through you – and your brokenness is a required part of it. (Even if you don’t have kids, your brokenness is still part of His work). “It’s no accident that God entrusts parents with such a big, precious responsibility while exposing our weakness at the same time.”

Your Part Is Also God’s Part

Unrealistic expectations placed on you and your children create a vicious cycle of anxiety; but focusing on God’s character and what He can do will silence anxiety. (Focusing on God’s character silences anxiety no matter what your situation is).

One Of Your Greatest Challenges Is Other Moms/Parents

Feeling judged, criticized, or lesser-than will make you question everything you do. But God is your judge, and He gets the final word. (Remembering God as authority is good for anyone with a tendency to compare).

You Can Misuse Your Allotted Portion Of Control

Control is misused when it’s self-serving instead of others’ serving and when used to replace trust. By seeking more and more control, you’ll find you’re less in control than ever. (This is another across-the-board tip for anyone struggling with anxiety).

You Can Be Making Sleep Into An Idol

Have you ever noticed that the harder you hold onto sleep, the less sleep you get? Your heart is saying to God “I cannot trust Your care for me unless I have sleep.” Obviously you need sleep and of course you’ll become very weary from sleepless nights, but God planned for you to have this season of sleeplessness. So, when you get to the place where you feel weakest, look for His mercy and then His strength will rush to your rescue. Sometimes that mercy might just be putting one foot in front of the other; but focusing on that mercy instead of your sleeplessness builds trust and reduces anxiety. (This is applicable for anyone who gets anxious about how much – or little – sleep s/he is getting).

Your Hard Experiences Don’t Have To Produce Anxiety

When comforts and securities are stripped away, you can find a new depth of hope. You (or your kids) may be in a situation you never would have chosen, but because it was God’s plan, it can prove to be more fulfilling, meaningful, and in some ways even more wonderful than you could have imagined. (This is true for every follower of Christ).

Resist Having Anxiety Over The Condition Of Your Kids’ (Or Other’s) Hearts

Instead praise God you’re not in control. Grasping His sovereignty will calm you on the uncertain days. Instead of thinking “I’ve got to change my child’s heart” you can think “I’m going to remain ready to be used by God in my child’s (or someone else’s) life.”

Getting Mad At God For Not Answering Your Questions Leads To More Anxiety

Instead, allow God to divert your gaze away from your questions and onto His ways. The foundation of your trust rests not on answers to your questions, but on the fullness of God. (This reminder is especially important for the next generation to hear).

“Out There” Isn’t Where Sin Comes From; Sin Comes From Within

So, the best way to alleviate anxiety about your kids (or yourself) being exposed to the world is to teach them and model for them how to face the sin nature of their own hearts. (The more you realize what sin you’re capable of, the more you realize how much you need God in safety just as much as in danger).

The Way You’re Praying Could Be Elevating Anxiety Instead Of Reducing It

Are you praying in hypotheticals (all the things that could go wrong)? Or are you praying instead that God will draw your child to Himself through hardships and pain (and yes – such suffering is guaranteed)?

Now you can see how this book is not just a great book for anxious moms, but is a profound read for an anxious people. If any of the nuggets above spoke to you about authentically trusting in God to best address anxiety in your life, you can dig deeper in God’s Word. 

In addition, if you want to read more from Sara’s perspective and experiences, then you know this is a book you want to order as well. Also, this could also be a great book for your small group to study together. From beginning to end, Sara Wallace emphasizes “rather than being wired for worry, you’ve been created to care.” And then she teaches you how to care without being so anxious. 

“No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety…Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy Name.” (Ps. 33:16, 17, 20, 21)