​

Hello, dear friend!

Today's issue of TGGG is a little different. It's officially release week for Mending and Madness, and as a thank you for joining me on this journey to the Fourth Realm of Shattered Creation, I wanted to give something back.

I know all too well that anxiety can be hard, and as the seasons change and the days grow shorter, many struggle to feel that the light will ever return.

If that's you today (or if you have a loved one who's struggling), this is my gift to you.

The Hypocrite Author

“Chapter One: The Seamstress,” I typed, blissfully unaware that I was about to tumble headfirst into a year of crippling anxiety and utter dependence on the provision of the Lord — the very themes of the faerietale I was writing.

It was autumn of 2024, and I had struggled with extreme anxiety before, but not since my youngest child was born five years earlier and I fought through the bittersweet ache of postpartum. Which is to say that when I began writing this story a year ago, I thought I was someone who had “overcome” anxiety. I got it, but I wasn’t in it.

Then in His strange and wonderful sovereignty, God brought me right back to “the glomph pen." Small. Dirty. Desperate. Choking on panic and struggling to breathe.

It would be funny if it weren’t so painful. It would be tragic if He hadn’t met me in the midst.

Because of course... He did.

The Lord has been present and providing for my need in ways that I scarcely could have imagined and certainly wouldn’t have expected. Like manna in the morning, His sufficency is not dependent upon my strength of will or my ability to conjure up faith.

No. In His kindness, God both gives me the faith to believe and the blessings I so desperately need (Ephesians 2:8 & Luke 12:22-32).

For weeks I debated writing this devotional — fretting that it might be hypocritical for someone still wrestling with anxiety to write about overcoming a nemesis I haven’t defeated. Forget the devotional. Should I even publish the book? Can I really claim to tell a story about fear and provision when I have so fiercely grappled with those things this year?

But maybe that’s the point. Maybe that’s God’s plan. To use someone unimpressive and broken so He can show just how glorious He is in my not-enough-ness. Truly, I'm not here to act like I've got it all together when I don't. I'm struggling too, dear friend. I just happen to know where to point to find the One who can meet us in this mess.

So instead of a declaration of victory, please take this as a tool from a friend in the trenches — something I use nearly every day as I plead with my wandering heart to remember who I am and to whom I belong. To remember that fear is not my master. That I was bought for a tremendous price and ransomed from this present darkness.

The Christ-Centered Tool

There’s a therapy exercise I often use for myself and my kids when we feel overwhelmed. It’s called The Five Senses Grounding Technique.

The idea is simple: list five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste.

The point is to anchor yourself firmly in the safe present moment and center your mind on tangible reality. It essentially acts like a lasso for our racing hearts and catastrophizing thoughts — pulling us back into the here and now where the worst has not happened and the world continues to spin on its axis.

I’ve found this tool incredibly helpful, but… it’s missing something absolutely essential.

It’s missing the safety that can only be found in Jesus.
It’s missing the hope that is only promised in Christ.
It’s missing the physical, nail-scarred hands that hold me fast.
It’s missing the very Author of reality itself.

If I want to feel safe, secure, and assured, there is no better reality to focus on than that of Jesus Christ and the good news of His atonement.

Without Him, how can I be sure that it'll all be okay in the end?

How can I possibly trust that the chaos of this world will turn out all right?

I can't. Not really.

But with Him, I have the promise of all things working together for His glory and the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). With Him, I am safe.

Which brings me to my version of the grounding technique — one centered first on Jesus as He is in this present moment. Remember, the point of the exercise is to assure ourselves that right now all is well. So praise God, we worship a Savior who lives today!

Let's try it together.

6-5-4-3-2-1 Grounding in Christ

Take one slow, deep breath, then anchor yourself by noting:

• 6 things that are true about JESUS right now — focus on the living King as He is in this present moment.

Examples:

• “He is interceding for me.” (Hebrews 7:25)
• “He is working all things for my good.” (Romans 8:28)
• “He is waiting to drink wine until we can drink it together.” (Mark 14:25)
• “He is advocating for me at the right hand of God.” (Romans 8:34)
• “He has a physical body that bears evidence of His saving work for me on the cross.” (John 20:27)
• “He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
• “He is gentle and lowly in heart.” (Matthew 11:29)
• “He is with me right now.” (Matthew 28:20)

Make sure the things you say are backed up by Scripture. We’re anchoring ourselves in objective reality, not just subjective feelings. And don’t be afraid to pray, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) Ask the Holy Spirit to help you trust Him and rest in these truths.

Take another centering breath, then notice:

• 5 things you can SEE. Focus on small details — the way light reflects on the wall, the stitching in a cushion, the color variations in the wood grain. Find things you might not typically pay attention to.
• 4 things you can TOUCH. Actually touch them. What’s their texture? Their temperature? Is your mug warm in your hands? Is that blanket soft against your skin? Is the rug rough against your feet? Which part of your body is making contact?
• 3 things you can HEAR. Are there cars driving past? Voices? A fan humming? The soft rustle of your own breathing? If it’s quiet, maybe you can even hear your own heartbeat.
• 2 things you can SMELL. If nothing stands out, try sniffing the corner of your sleeve or a lock of your own hair. Do they smell like laundry detergent or your shampoo?
• 1 thing you can TASTE. If you have food or a drink, take a bite or a sip. If not, imagine your favorite food and its unique blend of flavors. Is it sweet? Salty? Sour? Spicy? Bitter?

And as you do this, remember:

• This is your Father’s world (Genesis 1).
• You are made in His image (Genesis 1:27).
• Your true home is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
• You can cast all your anxieties on the Lord because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).
• You have eternal life in Christ, and no one can snatch you away from Him (John 10:28).

Your Savior deeply understands anxiety. He felt the dread, the pounding heart, the churning stomach — in Gethsemane, He experienced such soul-deep anxiety that He sweated drops of blood as He anticipated the cross (Luke 22:44). He suffered for you then, and He is with you in your own anxious moments now. You are not facing this alone.

Benediction — pray this over your weary heart as you close out your grounding:

“Jesus, anchor me in your truth and hold me fast. Guard my heart and mind with your peace that surpasses all understanding. You are my safety. You are my hope. You are my peace. When tempests rage, help me keep my eyes fixed on you, Lord. The spray of the sea might make me cold and wet, but held safely in your capable hands, I will not drown. Use even this for your glory, Lord, and turn my heart to seek you first. Amen.”

Curious about the story behind this devotional? Mending and Madness is the book I started writing about anxiety and God’s provision before I even knew I’d need it. Coming 11/27/25.

🎵 Want another tool for difficult days?

This is a worship playlist to soothe your anxious mind and turn your eyes toward Jesus. I hand-selected these songs to be theologically rich, comforting, and glorifying to God. Even in your weakest moments, He is more than enough.

Mending and Madness: worship... Guide Me, O My Great Redeeme... PREVIEW   ​

Keep your eyes on Jesus, dear friend.
He won’t let you drown.

You received this email because you downloaded a freebie or signed up to be on Laura Cheever's street team. If you'd like to opt out, please unsubscribe below.