stress – Amy Linnea

Christmas Rush

Published on December 6, 2025December 6, 2025 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men! Luke 2:14

Why is it this time of year seems to cause armfuls of stress?

Anyone else feel the pressure to buy everyone and their dog the perfect gift?

Anyone else feel pressured to provide all things to all people, creating perfect Christmas card memories?

And why is that?

Keeping up with the neighbors. Our friends. The entire world.

Expectations of ourselves, others, and the day.

What’s interesting is Jesus’ birth was so not complicated.

Mary and Joseph did not make the perfect reservation weeks in advance for the best room.

The angels did not record their songs, capturing the perfect moment for their social media.

The shepherds did not rehearse their reaction for perfect timing, nor did they have a Christmas outfit to celebrate the new King.

Everything just happened.

Mary and Joseph found what they could.

The angels broke out in song when they could no longer hold back.

The shepherds simply ran to the manger, wearing what they had on at the time.

And Jesus came amid it all.

Peace on earth is more than a silent night.

Peace on earth begins in your heart, surrendered to God and God alone.

When your heart is His, nothing else matters.

His peace can reign within, no matter what else churns around you.

Do the Christmas things. Have fun while you’re at it.

But keep God’s peace above all else.

Because nothing else matters, but Him.

Photos by Deep Doshi, Raymond Petrik, Tj Holowaychuk, & Greyson Joralemon on Unsplash

Roots

Published on August 23, 2025August 23, 2025 by amylinneaLeave a comment

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

I’m convinced most of our emotional issues stem from fear.

Fear of the future.

Fear of being alone.

Fear of rejection.

We all long for meaningful relationships.

Yet we cannot control others, and what they choose to do.

When rejected, and it will happen to all of us, fear enters.

We worry the next person will do the very same thing.

Or we try too hard to keep the wrong person.

Emotionally, when we interact with fear, our body responds physically.

Tired, achy, moody moments are just the beginning.

When we dwell with fear, our body begins to break down in other ways.

Science shows us dwelling in fear brings anxiety and stress to our hearts, brains, digestive and immune system. All detrimental to our health, especially when holding onto fear longterm.

So what’s the anecdote to all this?

God.

God created us for a relationship with Him.

Remember before Adam and Eve sinned, God talked with them every single day?

Fast foward to Jesus, who was sent to redeem us.

To cancel our sin so we can go back to that relationship with God.

God longs for you so much, that He sent His son, Jesus, to die for you.

So you can talk with God here and now, as well as all of eternity.

The root of all fear, anxiety, and stress, is reliance on anything but God.

Train your brain to respond with God’s truth – His Word when fear dares to enter your mind.

Repeating 1 Timothy 1:7 aloud is a great example: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Respond with worship when your brain begins to dwell on the negative or impossible situations.

Ask God to fill you with Himself when you feel yourself heading down the wrong path again.

God is here. God is ready. God is willing to take all of it for you.

But the choice is yours.

Yank the crud by the root and refocus on God.

Again and again, speak God’s truth when weeds pop up.

Because they will. That’s what weeds do if you don’t keep regularly gardening.

After going to scripture again and again, you’ll begin to notice your reaction doesn’t immediately fall to fear anymore.

Pretty soon you won’t notice as many weeds. They won’t come back so often because the soil – your brain- can’t help them grow.

Colossians reminds us to keep our life rooted in Jesus and built up in him. Strengthen our faith. Overflow with thankfulness.

Relying on God reminds fear Who is in control. God. And His soil will fill your brain with truth.

Photos by Amir Kalhor, Antonio Lapa, Erik van Dijk, & Christian De Stradis on Unsplash

Slaps and Hugs

Published on August 26, 2023August 24, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. Proverbs 15:13

Life can bring you stress or peace.

Stomach cringes or smiley fill up your bucket type of moments.

You know – slaps or hugs.

Do you have things you do every day you cannot stand?

Or have gotten really old?

Can you forget them?

If you’re honest, some of them you could.

You could throw away the plants that need water.

You could give away the dog.

You could get off that one committee.

You could stop being everyone’s maid.

Make a list.

Then decide if you can honestly stop any of them.

And if you still have some stomach cringing stressful “slap you downs” on your list, move them over to the hug side.

Now, what about your pick me ups? Your hugs? Things that make you smile?

Things in your life you would rather do for as long as humanly possible.

Picking up a book and becoming lost in the adventure.

Tickling the ivories as your fingers fly over the keys.

Lacing up your running shoes to take in a much needed breath of fresh air.

List what makes you smile.

Helps when you need that pick me up. That hug.

Now, remember your slaps you listed? The ones you need to keep in your short life?

Hopefully you moved them over to the good side. The side that makes you happy.

You know – your hugs.

What?

Yes. Change the focus, showing their positive side.

Watering my flowers? Boy, they sure are beautiful!

Creating healthy meals for my family? I am helping us stay our freshest and best, honoring our bodies God created.

Make sense? There’s a positive side to anything.

In our life, there are many stressors. Many slaps so to speak.

So don’t let it slap you down. Don’t let anything steal your peace.

Get rid of extra things you don’t need to bother with anymore.

But all the rest? Look at them in a positive light.

God gives you things. Use your talents and abilities to glorify Him.

And stop slapping yourself silly!

Photos by Andrew Neel, Joshua Clay, Ekaterina Shakharova, & Joice Kelly on Unsplash

Published on October 27, 2018June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Psalm 62:1

There will always be more.

More teacher books to read, lessons to try, activities to save.

More recipes to try, nutrition to evaluate, exercise methods to investigate.

More decorating shows to watch, websites to pursue, ideas to glean.

More clothing to see, outfits to make, stores to shop.

We will never reach the pinnacle of knowledge in any area of our life.

There will always be more we could know.

More knowledge to glean.

More, more, more.

I find this overwhelming.

Why?

Because I want to do my very best in all things.

I want to be the best teacher, so I read blogs, read books, tweak lessons, and constantly keep looking to make my classes even better.

I want to be the best self, so I keep pursuing blogs, saved links, and books to find that formula which will set me up for success.

I want to be the best Christian wife/mother/daughter/etc, so I read books, blogs, and save even more books on my future reading list, which I admit will could never all be read in my lifetime.

Folks, we don’t have to prove ourselves.

God loves us and accepts us.

Knowledge is wonderful, even ordained by God.

But it can become a religion of sorts.

An idol in the very least.

Yes, we should keep pursuing knowledge.

But not at the risk of feeling inadequate if we don’t.

The lie of having to know everything is false.

It will never happen.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you will never know all in whatever area you focus.

Use your God-given talents to work, improve, and pursue knowledge.

But let God guide you.

If your saved links or saved emails, or list of books to read all of a sudden vanished, would that almost be a relief to you?

That is an indication of information overload.

If you don’t want to be so bold as to delete years of saved “bookmarks”, then place a time limit on your knowledge search.

Give yourself 20 minutes a day to read your book or saved link.

Devote an entire day to plunge beneath the waters and organize, deleting unnecessary items.

Whatever you decide to do, simply remember this.

God knows all, so we don’t have to.

He ordains your steps when you trust in Him.

Allow Him to guide your knowledge search, knowing you are already enough.

You have already secured His love.

Thank Him for your knowledge thirst.

Then sit back, take a drink from your book, and savor the satisfaction of being enough.

Because you are.

Photos by Joost Crop , Valentín Betancur , Miguel Orós , & Nong Vang on Unsplash

Attitude

Published on June 30, 2018June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. Psalm 9:1

You will never NOT have trouble.

Let me say that another way.

There will always be something.

Some irritation somewhere.

Why?

Because nothing is always perfect.

Sounds like a downer, doesn’t it?

Sorry!

Just bringing us into reality, folks.

Taking our heads out of the clouds.

Up from burrowing in the sand.

What are some of life’s irritations, you ask?

Oh my, the list is endless.

Cleaning up after other people.

(Who am I kidding: sometimes it’s irritating to clean up after myself! Where’s that maid?)

Not finding what you need at a store.

Leaky faucets.

Unnecessary attitude from ungrateful children.

Going to someone else’s favorite restaurant.

Mosquito bites.

The fact that sugar is bad for you, yet it tastes so amazing in food!

Ants crawling on my kitchen floor.

Horrid influences encroaching on loved ones.

Traffic.

Jesus said we would have trouble in this life.

But to take heart, because He has overcome the world.

He has overcome absolutely everything.

Every irritation.

Every issue.

All of it.

So, what does He ask of us to do in spite of any and all irritations?

To trust Him.

To stay focused on what is important.

How one reacts to daily, even momentary irritation reflects to others your relationship with God.

Woah.

How you react to things that do not go your way will either point people to God or away from Him.

Difficult, I know.

Fully aware.

Just start thinking about that.

When your buttons are pushed, does your attitude reflect God?

Look to Jesus for inspiration.

He was irritated, I’m sure, beyond belief on earth.

Think about that.

Walking around with us, He knew what every person should have been doing to increase life’s satisfaction.

But He left us to our own choices.

He never let any earthly irritation mar the face of God.

Ever get hangry?

Jesus was many times.

That’s an incredible irritation.

Purpose to reflect Jesus in all that you do.

And when you fail, keep trying.

Ask God to help you.

He will and it will get easier and easier to succeed.

Just don’t hand me a sad pizza when I’m hangry.

Because God will not be shining through my face if you do. 🙂

Oh, ok, I’ll work on it too…!

Photos by Clem Onojeghuo ,Ruth Caron ,Anton Darius | @theSollers , Michał Kubalczyk , & Álvaro SF on Unsplash

Exhaustion

Published on May 26, 2018June 8, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish. Jeremiah 31:25

Wrote this post a few years back, but never posted it. As an exhausted teacher, beginning her summer break, it fits perfectly once again 🙂

Today I’m so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open.

Nothing special, just lots going on.

Driving a child to basketball camp 45 minutes away.

Both ways.

Helping the seven year old get ready for the day.

Dropping off paperwork at the school, purchasing donuts for older daughter’s volleyball game since today is her birthday.

Picking up daughter from summer pe class and taking the entire tribe out to lunch.

Quickly changing clothes to jump into the pool.

Running back home to pick everyone up for daughter’s volleyball game.

Actually 2 games.

Back home, throwing pizza into the oven since the kids declare they must eat dinner, while making boiled frosting for the giant rainbow cake you made and did not have enough frosting for.

Then frosting the extra chocolate cake since that is the flavor your daughter actually requested.

Hosting a birthday party.

Entertaining the seven year old and her cousin for the night.

Oh – and they are sleeping in my room.

So, we need to make a pile of comfort on the floor.

Just need a good night’s sleep.

Or a vacation.

Smile.

Life is busy – but full of life.

When people need you, yes, it’s exhausting, but it’s rewarding.

Making memories.

That’s what this day was all about.

Each day is full of possibilities.

Laughter.

Love.

Don’t create so much busyness that you forget to see the life you’ve created.

You’re tired because you are pouring your life into someone else’s.

You’re tired because your focus is on someone else’s needs.

That is awesome.

Someday it will all be a precious memory.

But for now, go sneak some rest, because the circus will begin again tomorrow.

And you’ll get to do it all over again.

Photos by Chris Lawton , rawpixel , Annie Spratt , Lauren Kay , Jonathan Fink , & Joe Pizzio on Unsplash

Arrogance

Published on November 11, 2017June 8, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

For by grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3

How arrogant are we?

Shaking our fist at God when things don’t go our way?

Pointing out declared errors to the Creator of all things?

We do make a fuss, don’t we?

How arrogant are we?

If He gives us something, then almost immediately takes it away, we whine.

If He shuts a door we wish would open, we beg.

If He changes our circumstances away from what we believe our heart desires, we stomp our feet.

How arrogant are we?

Sometimes we act like the children we parent, with no shining examples or mature reactions.

When God seemingly takes something away, we have 2 choices: allow death and despair to flood our every thought, or focus on how good God is.

When we allow sadness to become our god, we render ourselves useless and selfish, full of self pity.

Frozen with fear, probably fear of loosing control.

But when we choose to focus on God, we allow His peace and healing power to fill us with every good thing.

We remain filled with faith, steadfast in our walk with God.

Firmly planted with confidence and joy.

From the balcony of heaven, will it matter if God takes something away?

If He changes your job, you’ll look back and see His hand.

If He changes your location, you’ll look back and see His purpose.

If He changes your family, you’ll look back and see His shepherding.

The Lord is My Shepherd.

He takes things away, yet replaces them with His goodness.

What if that is His purpose?

What?

What if His purpose in taking things away is to remind you of your focus?

I might tell Him I don’t need that reminder, thank you very much.

Can He just tell me in other ways?

But that would be arrogant.

I cannot tell my Lord what He should do.

He knows the complete best for me.

He knows exactly what I need even better then I do.

That, my friend, is the reward.

God, who knows all things from the beginning to the end, is in control, not me.

God, who sent His son to die for ME, loves me and has my back.

Rest in that peace.

Choose to remember, focusing on Him.

And your arrogance will disappear.

Photos by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Fairytales

Published on October 28, 2017January 5, 2024 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Once upon a time, there lived a little girl who had a big heart and lots of love to give.

She lived with her sweet parents, younger brother, and 2 kitties.

Her world was her room, which was filled with toys, dolls, and books.

She wanted for nothing.

She had everything.

As she played with her dolls, she dreamed about her future.

Her playmate and her married multiple times in the backyard among stuffed animals as witnesses.

She prayed and asked Jesus into her heart, sang songs at church, and twinkled her toes during dance.

Her fingers began to fly over the keys as music became her companion.

She wanted to be a concert pianist, gymnast, or a fashion designer. As unsure as she was about her job, she knew she wanted to live in a high rise condo in the heart of NYC. Wearing heels to work of course.

Life wasn’t perfect, but it was amazing.

Life was simple. Beautifully simple.

Junior year of high school, she was swept off her feet by a shoemaker who lived in her village.

After years of dating and engagement, she was married during a huge church ceremony with all the trimmings.

She had four beautiful smart children. Life settled down into the mothering role she had always deep down wanted.

She nestled her babies in her lap.

She sang them songs, laughed at their antics, and went on lots of walks.

They collected leaves to press, carved pumpkins, made cookies, and read thousands of stories.

Life wasn’t perfect, but it was amazing.

A few years later, the shoemaker departed, seeking a life elsewhere.

The little girl, now a grown woman, was reduced to tears as she picked up the pieces left.

She was strong for her children and they all worked together to make their home as safe and peaceful as possible.

She knew God was still on the throne and would see them through safely to the end.

Life wasn’t perfect, but it was still amazing.

After awhile, she began to feel lonely. Like part of her soul was missing.

God was there and told her not to worry, that He would take care of it.

And when she least expected it, her Prince Charming rode into town and stopped at her house.

He picked her up for dinner and they were together forevermore.

They became the best of friends and loved the other with all of their heart.

She stood amazed at God’s provision.

God knew exactly what was missing for both her and her Prince Charming.

And He amazed them both.

Looking back at her life, she recounted all of the details God had provided for her.

And as she began to think back over her life, her smile spread over her face.

Even in the darkest of times, God had been there.

He was in the tender care of her parents.

He was in the protection of her shoemaker while he was there.

He was in the sounds of her children as they played and grew into the miracles they were.

He was in the tender love of her Prince Charming.

He was there in the dark of night and light of day.

Every moment of every day.

And life was amazing.

Completely.

And they lived happily ever after.

Trust and Lean

Published on May 27, 2017June 7, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord.

You mean trust in my own strength, right?

No, trust in the Lord.

But I know what I want.

Need.

So does God.

In fact, He knows best.

He wants your best, sees your future, and will bring all things into fruition if you trust.

Trust in Him, not in yourself.

With all of your heart.

All of me?

Even that corner that wants to do things my own way?

Yep.

Trust in the Lord with ALL of your heart.

And lean not on your own understanding.

I cannot trust my own understanding of my very own life?

But I know me better than God.

You do?

God created the mind with which you think.

He created your heart that beats, producing life.

He understands you more than you understand yourself.

So lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways, acknowledge Him.

All my ways?

Even when I want to go my own way, because I feel it’s best?

When I want to go down pity’s path?

When I want to follow my sour mood to worry’s house?

Yes. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him.

And He will direct your paths.

Well, I do want Him to direct my paths.

When God directs my paths, He brings His perfect peace.

When I follow my own path, not trusting in Him, worry and dread are my companions.

But when I trust in the Lord with my whole heart, and trust not in my own way, God will walk with me and peace will be my companion.

Remind yourself how faithful God has always been to you.

And begin again, trusting Him every step of the way.

Peace

Published on March 25, 2017June 7, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

God wants me to be at peace and rest about everything?

Yes, because He commands us to not be anxious about anything.

Even my children?

Yes. Even my marriage?

Yes. Even the uncertain future with our broken world?

Especially, yes.

When God asks us to not be anxious about anything, He knows we are unable to do that in our own strength.

He provides the road map to peace.

With absolutely every piece of your busy life, pray about it.

Seek God’s face about each aspect of your life.

Thank Him for all He has done and will do for you.

When you pray and seek His will with a thankful heart, His peace will wash over you.

His peace, which passes ALL understanding, will arrive.

Not only will His peace arrive, but it will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.

He will guard your heart against fear.

He will guard your mind against lies.

When you fully submit your requests to God with a thankful heart, He will blanket your heart and soul with a peace which passes all understanding.

When you choose to give ALL of your worries to God, thanking Him for all He is, His peace will take over.

His perfect peace, which we cannot possibly understand.

When you give up control,

When you submit your will to His,

When you thank Him from the top of your head to the tip of your toes for all He has graciously given to you,

He will come, bringing His perfect peace.

He will come.

He wants to come.

He cannot wait to give you His peace.

Keep submitting and thanking, following His will for your life.

Every single day.

You will become radiant with His peace and what a witness that will be of Himself.

The world needs peace.

Only the peace of God will last and what if you, reflecting His perfect peace, could literally show the world a glimpse of God’s saving grace?

What a witness you will be.

It Starts With You

Published on August 6, 2014April 30, 2023 by amylinnea2 Comments

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. Psalm 52:8

Everything.

How will you respond to what life throws at you?

When stress stares you in the face, how will you behave?

Panicky?

Unable to breathe?

Grumpy pants?

If that’s your response, your body will respond in fear.

You will lash out in anger.

At the very least, your mood will be in the toilet.

You will think everything is impossible.

Peace.

Calm within the storm.

You can choose to dwell on the promises of God or not.

If you do, God will be with you in the midst of the smallest infraction.

Or the giant storms, too.

And when He’s with you, He gives you unbelievable peace.

Life might be in a whirlwind, but you can stand without falling in the center, because God is there with you.

At the end of this week, my beloved and I are marrying.

So incredible.

God has blessed us with each other.

Along with these amazing weeks comes work.

Lots of work.

Packing and moving.

Combining and organizing our new home.

Wedding details.

Children and their sweet needs.

Start of school.

Putting together my classroom.

Normal family stuff like meals.

(how bout cereal for dinner?)

Brain space becomes extremely limited with the to do list.

Small tasks look enormous.

But God is in control.

He is fully able to cross every t and dot every i for me.

For us.

I just have to ask.

So do you.

Let Him take your worries, big or small.

He’ll take care of them as He walks beside you.

And focus on your blessings.

The incredible moments God brings to you as He fills your heart’s desire.

And joy will be your companion as you walk down the path of life God has for you.

Photos by Jakob Owens, Katie Moum, DESIGNECOLOGIST, & Greg Shield on Unsplash

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