We’re Not "Mentally Ill"...We’re Spiritually Empty

Hi sweet mamas!

Today, I want to talk about a little bit of a tough topic...but it's important. It's something that I see permeating every single corner of our world right now...it's all over the internet, on TV, in our schools, communities, work places and more:

Our "mental health."

People are always talking about it; I see ads for it everywhere on Instagram and TikTok. It’s like I can’t escape it!

Discussions about our mental health are so normalized now, and we've reached a point in the cultural conversation in which people are wondering why we’ve created a generation that struggles with so much anxiety and depression.

But in those conversations, they never seem to hit on the answer to that question. And Mamas, it's a very simple answer.

It’s because we are losing sight of God. 

Stick with me here:

According to the Pew Research Center Religious Landscapes Study done in 2023-2024, there was a significant decline in self professed Christians, with the younger generations turning away from religion more and more. The number is becoming stable, praise God, but that leaves me wondering… what will happen to future generations? Will God gradually become less and less a part of us until there's nothing left, until we are empty and hollow? I can’t help but see the correlation between more people turning away from God in their lives and the rise of negative "mental health" issues.

I believe anxiety and depression are the result of a poor heart posture, and not "mental illness."

You aren't "sick"...when we’re not filling our hearts and minds with His word, we allow the world to take hold. The world is able to yell lies and deception at us, filling our hearts and minds with self doubt, fear, stress, and feelings of unworthiness. God commands us to cast all our anxieties on Him because He CARES for us! He understands that stress is part of the deal when you’re human. Things often feel overwhelming. We take a poor heart posture when we allow that to fill our brains and dictate our emotions and how we live our lives. I don’t want to call it sinful (because I get it mamas, life can be incredibly overwhelming!), but I do think it’s a sin when we don’t try to constantly bring our attention and our hearts back to God.

If God understands that we become stressed by life, why are we not using that life line?

Mamas, I know that the world is screaming about how we need therapy, and to exercise, and to breathe, and to practice mindfulness, but you don’t need any of that. God is enough. Prayer and reading our Bibles is enough. What if we took a heart posture of following Jesus instead of the noise that the world gives us? God calls us to be in the world, but not of the world. What if we sincerely tried to read our Bibles and pray for guidance before spending thousands of dollars on therapy that feels more like an echo chamber?

The next time you feel anxious or depressed, I implore you to open your Bible before you open your phones. 

Self care will not save you. Therapy will not save you. Medication will not save you. 

Only Jesus can save you.

Check out this DIY to help you use prayer to combat anxiety, worries, and depression:

DIY: A “Look to God First” Prayer & Scripture Box

A hands-on way to turn anxiety into prayer—before reaching for your phone

What This DIY Is About

This simple project creates a physical reminder in your home to pause, pray, and open Scripture when anxiety or overwhelm hits. It reinforces the heart posture: going to God first.

What You’ll Need

• A small box, jar, or basket(wooden box, mason jar, thrifted container—anything works)

• Index cards or small slips of paper

• A pen or marker

• Your Bible

• Optional:

  • Stickers, paint, or ribbon

  • A verse written on the outside (or inside the lid)

    
    

Step 1: Choose a Scripture for the Container

Pick one anchor verse that reflects God’s peace and care. Some beautiful options:

• “Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7

• “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.” — Psalm 34:18

• “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast.” — Isaiah 26:3

  
  

Write or place this verse on the box as a reminder of where help comes from.

Step 2: Create Scripture Cards

On several cards, write verses that speak truth over fear, anxiety, and weariness.Keep them short and readable in hard moments.

Examples:

• “The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.”

• “Be still, and know that I am God.”

• “My grace is sufficient for you.”

  
  

These are the truths you reach for instead of scrolling.

Step 3: Create Prayer Prompt Cards

On separate cards, write gentle prayer prompts like:

• “Lord, help me surrender what I’m holding too tightly.”

• “God, show me where I’m trusting the world instead of You.”

• “Jesus, remind me who I am in You.”

• “Father, give me Your peace right now.”

  
  

This helps when words feel hard to find.

Step 4: Add “Anxiety Release” Cards

Keep blank cards nearby. When you feel overwhelmed:

1. Write down the anxious thought or fear.

2. Fold the card.

3. Place it in the box as an act of surrender.

   
   

You can even write “God, I give this to You” at the top of each one.

Step 5: Make It a Habit

When anxiety, stress, or heaviness shows up:

1. Open the box

2. Read one Scripture card

3. Pray one prompt

4. Sit quietly with God for a moment

   
   

This is not about perfection—just posture.

Optional: Do This With Your Kids

For mama readers, this is powerful:

• Let kids decorate the box

• Teach them to write prayers instead of panicking

  
  

Normalize turning to God early in life!

This box isn’t magic. It doesn’t replace God...it points us back to Him. When the world is loud and anxiety feels overwhelming, this is a simple way to remind our hearts where true peace is found.

Share your prayers and blessings - and your New Year's Goals!- with the Home Sweet Holleigh community! Comment below or engage on social media! Find me on Instagram and TikTok at @homesweetholleigh

Check out these adorable jar, box, and basket options from Hobby Lobby to kickstart your project!

Glass Heart Jar

Psalm 139:14 Box

Woven Scalloped Basket Set

remember to always find meaning in the little things

and

surrender all of yourself to GOD