quick tips

How To Take Every Thought Captive—One Fear at a Time

How To Take Every Thought Captive—One Fear at a Time
For the wife who wants to walk by faith, even when she doesn’t feel brave.

Fear doesn’t always show up loud.

Sometimes, it comes quietly.

A flicker of doubt in your chest.
A worry you can’t name but still feel.
A lingering thought at bedtime that keeps your eyes open longer than you want.

As Christian wives and mothers, you and I know in our heads that God is sovereign. 

We can quote the verses (even if we can’t always remember exactly where they are). 

We can teach them to our kids. 

And yet, our hearts can still feel shaky—especially when we look at our marriages, our children, or the uncertain future ahead.

Maybe you’ve had thoughts like:
  • “I’m afraid my husband will never lead spiritually.”
  • “What if I’m not doing enough for our kids?”
  • “What if I’m failing quietly and no one sees it?”
These are the kinds of fears that don’t usually get posted online. But they’re real. And left unspoken, they grow in the dark.

“But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible.”
— 
Ephesians 5:13, ESV
The way forward isn’t pretending you're not afraid. It’s learning how to bring fear into the light of God’s Word—and letting truth speak louder.

When fear rises, try this:

1. Name the fear honestly.

Fear feeds on vagueness. Clarity is the first step to freedom.

Ask yourself:
  • What is the fear beneath the surface?
  • What outcome am I trying to control?
  • What do I believe might happen if I let go?
Bring it into the light—not with shame, but with intention.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
Psalm 56:3, ESV
God isn’t asking you to pretend. He’s inviting you to trust Him, right in the middle of your fear.

2. Identify the lie underneath.

Fear is rarely just about circumstances—it’s about belief.

Ask:
  • What lie is this fear trying to make me believe?
  • Does this align with who God is—or who I’ve made myself responsible to be?
Here are some common ones (that are often rooted in pride):
  • “If I don’t hold everything together, no one will.”
  • “I’m the only one who can fix this.”
  • “God is good—but maybe not in this situation.”
These aren’t just thoughts—they’re accusations against the character of God. And they must be held up to the light of Scripture.

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
— 
John 8:32, ESV

3. Replace the lie with Scripture—specifically.

It’s not enough to say “God is good.” You need to meet your exact fear with His exact Word.

Try these:

If you fear your husband isn't leading spiritually →
“The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”
Proverbs 21:1, ESV
If you fear the future →
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.”
Isaiah 41:10, ESV
If you fear your own limitations →
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV
Choose one verse. Write it down. Say it aloud. Preach it to your heart when fear whispers otherwise.

4. Pray like a daughter—not a hero.

You’re not expected to feel brave all the time. But you are invited to come boldly.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
— 
2 Timothy 1:7, ESV
You don’t need to wait until your emotions catch up. Just come as you are and ask Him:
  • Help me trust what You say over what I feel.
  • Give me discernment to reject lies and cling to truth.
  • Give me grace to be faithful—not perfect.

Reflect on this:

  • What fear have you been carrying quietly?
  • What lie has it been reinforcing?
  • What verse speaks directly to that fear?
  • What step of obedience would reflect your trust in God—even if the fear hasn’t fully lifted?
Remember - filling your heart and mind with Scripture daily through intentional Bible study will help you to combat fears. The more you study truth, the more you meditate on the truth of Who God is, the less susceptible you are to the lies of the world - or of your own mind. 

God doesn’t promise we’ll never feel afraid.

He promises that His presence is greater. His Word is stronger. His Spirit is in us.

And that’s enough to take one more step today—with steadiness, not striving.

🖊️ Want to go deeper?

Write out one fear that’s been sitting quietly in your heart. Then write one verse that tells the truth about it (DM or email me if you need some guidance finding one!). Speak that truth every time the fear resurfaces this week.

You don’t need more self-confidence.

You need more Scripture in the silence.

And He has not left you alone.

You don’t have to feel fearless to be faithful. Just keep walking with the One who holds every moment in His hands.

5 Ways to Bring Christ Into the Chaos at Home

5 Ways to Bring Christ Into the Chaos at Home
Let’s be honest…

Home doesn’t always feel like the peaceful haven we imagined when we first got married, or when our first baby was born.

Some days it’s loud. Messy. Heavy.

You’re trying to get dinner on the table while someone’s yelling about socks (or poop if you're a boy mom), and suddenly the idea of a “Christ-centered home” feels more like a distant dream than something you can actually live out..

But here’s what I want you to know:

Jesus doesn’t wait for quiet to enter. He comes right into the noise.

And when you start to intentionally invite Him in, even in small ways—
The atmosphere shifts.

So what does a Christ-centered atmosphere actually look like?

It’s not about fresh flowers on the table and a diffuser going (though those things are lovely - we do have a diffuser running every day but my cat eats fresh flowers).

It’s not even about perfect obedience or chore charts with Scripture verses.

At its core, a Christ-centered home is one where:

  • God’s Word is known and spoken—regularly, not perfectly
  • Prayer is part of real, everyday life, not just a bedtime routine
  • Grace is given… and often given again
  • Repentance is modeled, not hidden
  • Love leads the room—even when emotions are high
Paul said it this way:
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.”
— 
Colossians 3:15–16
And I love that he didn’t say when the kids are cooperating or once everyone’s emotionally regulated.

He just said: let Him rule. Let Him dwell.

5 Ways to Shift the Atmosphere—Without Overhauling Your Life

You don’t need a full schedule overhaul or a family-wide transformation plan.

Small shifts, repeated over time, will do more than one big “spiritual reset” ever could.

Here are five places you could start today:

1. Play worship in the background

When you fill your heart with the truths of God's word, with praise of Him, worship of Him, and gratitude for Him, your heart softens.

And when your heart softens, so does the tone of the whole house.

It doesn’t have to be loud. Just let truth start filling the quiet moments again.

Often, I will pull up a YouTube live stream channel that just has instrumental hymns playing, and I leave it on throughout the day.

2. Put Scripture where you’ll see it

A sticky note on the bathroom mirror. A verse on the fridge.

Or my personal favorite, wall art from Hobby Lobby. 😊

One mom told me her daughter now puts up her own verses after watching her do it.

That’s the fruit of consistency, not perfection.

3. Pray out loud in real-time

It doesn’t have to be deep or long.

It doesn't have to be eloquent or worded perfectly.

Just—“Jesus, help us have peace right now.” Or “Lord, thank You for this moment.” Or "Father, protect the people that ambulance/fire truck is going to help."

These small moments teach your kids Who you run to.

4. Model repentance

One of the most powerful things I’ve ever done as a mom is look my child in the eye and say, “I was wrong. I’m sorry.”

Repentance doesn’t weaken your authority—it strengthens their respect.

5. Speak life on purpose

When tension rises, speak God’s Word out loud into that room.

Even if it’s just you whispering it under your breath while folding towels.

“Life and death are in the power of the tongue…”
— 
Proverbs 18:21
You’re setting the spiritual temperature, whether you mean to or not.

A Few Questions to Gently Consider

Not to bring shame, but rather clarity.

  • What’s being talked about the most in our home?
  • What’s playing in the background: news, music, noise, silence?
  • What would someone feel if they walked through our front door?
You don’t need a perfect answer. Just an honest one.

Because when Christ is centered, peace begins to grow—even if it’s slow.

Verses to Carry Into the Chaos

🕊 Romans 12:18
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

🕊 Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

🕊 Proverbs 24:3–4
“By wisdom a house is built… by knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

Last Thought, Sweet Friend

You’re not failing if your house feels tense right now. Let's be real...sometimes you do all you can and the tension remains.

You’re not behind spiritually.

And you don’t need to “try harder” to make your home holy.

You just need to keep building—with Jesus at the center.

One verse. One prayer. One act of humility at a time.

Start small. Start again if you need to.

Let Christ fill the chaos.

That’s where peace begins.

✨ Want help getting started?
If you’re not sure what to pray or where to begin…
Grab your free copy of 30 Scriptures to Pray Over Your Home and let God’s Word lead the way.
📩 Download it here!

What My Son Taught Me About Loving God at the Breakfast Table

What My Son Taught Me About Loving God at the Breakfast Table
The other morning, my 4-year-old and I were reading from his Early Reader’s Bible.

(Actually, he was reading, I was listening.)

We got to the question: “How can you show love to God?”

Without missing a beat, he said,
“Um...sing songs to Him. And read this book!”

This book—the Bible he had just been reading to me.

His answer stopped me. Not just because it was insightful (which it was!), but because it reminded me that our simple morning rhythm—Bible and breakfast—is already shaping how he sees God.

And that’s what traditions do.

🟣 Family traditions will shape our kids — the question is, how?

Let’s be real: not all traditions are intentional.

Some we inherited without thinking. Others just sort of… happened.

But whether we choose them or not, traditions teach our kids what matters to us.

They teach:
→ What we prioritize
→ What we make time for
→ What we keep coming back to — even when life is busy

When we slow down and ask, “What are we actually passing on here?” — something shifts.

🟣 A biblically rooted tradition is more than a memory

In the Old Testament, God didn’t just suggest feasts and festivals as something fun to do.

He commanded them as a way to remember.

“You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt. And you shall be careful to observe these statutes.”
— Deuteronomy 16:12 (ESV)
In other words, God knew we needed regular rhythms to help us remember what He’s done.

Traditions that are truly biblical don’t just feel good or look spiritual — they anchor us in truth.

🟣 Ideas for Traditions That Keep the Word at the Center

Here are a few simple rhythms that can help your family build habits of remembrance:

1. “Verse of the Month” at the Dinner Table

Pick one Scripture to memorize and talk about all month.
Let it shape your dinner convos, quiz each other, and reflect on how you see it in real life.

2. Speak a Blessing on Birthdays

More than cake and gifts—make birthdays a moment of spoken truth.
Pray over each child or spouse. Speak a Scripture aloud. Write it in a card they can keep.

3. “Scripture Sunday” Reset

One mom shared that every Sunday after lunch, her family reads a Psalm together.
It’s short, simple, and has become their weekly “spiritual reset.”

4. Holiday Anchors

Instead of just decor or gifts, use holidays as built-in discipleship moments:
  • Easter → Read the resurrection account
  • Thanksgiving → Share a verse of gratitude
  • Christmas → Trace Jesus’ lineage and fulfilled prophecies

5. Sabbath Start or Sunday Slowdown

Light a candle. Read one verse. Pause before the week begins.

Let your kids see you set the tone with God’s Word—even if it’s only 5 minutes.

None of this needs to be big or complicated.

They just need to be repeatable — and rooted in truth.

🟣 You’re not just creating memories. You’re planting anchors.

Even if it seems like your kids aren’t paying attention...

Even if they groan or wiggle or seem “over it”...

These rhythms are doing deep, quiet work.

You’re showing them that:
→ God’s Word matters
→ His truth belongs in our everyday life
→ He’s worth remembering

And one day, when life gets shaky, they’ll know where to turn.

🟣 Scripture to Build Traditions On

These are beautiful reminders of why this matters:

Psalm 145:4
“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.”
Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Psalm 78:6–7
“…that the next generation might know them… so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God…”

🟣 Final Thought: Traditions don’t need to be perfect. Just intentional.

You don’t need to do what another family does.

You don’t need a binder or a Bible curriculum or a perfect Sunday rhythm.

But you do need to ask:
What are we already doing — and how can we invite Scripture into it?
That’s where legacy starts.

That’s how we build a home our kids want to come back to—because it’s rooted in truth.

✨ Ready to start?

Download my free guide:
“30 Scriptures to Pray Over Your Home” — perfect for everyday rhythms, special moments, and everything in between.

Let’s plant seeds that will grow fruit for generations.

Praying Scripture Over Your Home (What, Why, and a FREE How!)

Praying Scripture Over Your Home (What, Why, and a FREE How!)
If you're anything like me, you've had moments walking through your home thinking, this place feels tense… or tired… or spiritually flat.

Our homes are where spiritual battles play out quietly. Not with loud explosions, but with subtle discouragement, constant noise, confusion, and distraction.

Often those battles are discreet enough that we don't even recognize them as ones requiring God's strength. We try to fight through them on our own, and then wonder why we're so exhausted.

But here’s the good news: you don’t need to stay stuck.

You can push back darkness with the light of God's Word.

You can speak peace, protection, and truth over every room in your house — not with your own strength, but with the strength of the Lord through His Word.

This is what it means to pray Scripture over your home.

And it's simpler than you might think.

🟣 What Does It Mean to Pray Scripture?

Praying Scripture means you’re using God’s words, not just your own, to speak truth into your environment. 

It’s not just asking for blessings — it’s aligning your home with what God has already promised.

When you pray Scripture, you’re not guessing. You’re asking for things that are in God's will for you, your home, and your family, because He's written those things Himself.

You’re taking verses off the page and planting them in real places — the kitchen, the nursery, the bedroom, the front door.

And here’s why that matters:
“The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…”
— Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
God’s Word is not passive. It pushes back the lies. It softens hearts. It shifts atmospheres.

🟣 A Simple Way to Pray Over Your Home

You don’t need incense (it's toxic anyway) or oils (although essential oils are biblical and helpful!) or a long list of rituals.

You just need an open Bible and a willing heart.

Here’s a simple practice I often suggest:

1. Pick one room in your home.
Walk in slowly. Look around. Ask God, What needs to shift in this space?

2. Choose a Scripture that matches the need.

Here are a few to get you started:
  • Living room (Peace + unity):
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” — Colossians 3:15
  • Kitchen (Provision + gratitude):
“You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.” — Psalm 145:16
  • Children’s bedrooms (Rest + protection):
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep…” — Psalm 4:8
  • Marriage space (Love + strength):
“Above all these put on love, which binds everything together…” — Colossians 3:14
  • Front door (Safety + direction):
“The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in…” — Psalm 121:8
3. Pray it out loud.
Yes — out loud. Not for theatrics, but for authority. 

Romans 10:17 says:
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
4. Personalize the verse.
Turn it into a prayer in your own words:

“Lord, let peace rule in this space. Let every conversation in this room be filled with grace and truth. Let your Word dwell richly here.”

5. Repeat as needed.
You don’t have to do your whole house in one day. This can be a weekly rhythm — or something you do when things feel “off” in your home.

🟣 I've Heard From Moms Who...

...taped verses to their children’s light switches as reminders before bed.

...left open Bibles on their kitchen counters to shift the spiritual climate.

...played Scripture audio through a speaker while cleaning or homeschooling.

...paused at the front door and whispered, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want,” before heading out for the day.

None of these things were flashy.

But they were faithful.

And faithfulness in hidden places is where strong homes are built.

🟣 When You Don’t Know What to Pray

Here’s the beautiful thing: you don’t need the perfect words. You just need the right source. 

Open the Psalms. Read one verse. Ask the Holy Spirit to apply it to your home. Speak it.

Even something as simple as this:
“Lord, let our home be a place where your peace reigns. Let your Word dwell here richly. Teach us to walk in your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
That’s it. That’s prayer that calls on the One who moves mountains.

🟣 Scripture to Keep In Your Heart

  • Joshua 24:15
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
  • Proverbs 24:3–4
“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established…”
  • Psalm 127:1
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”
Let Him be the builder. You just keep showing up.

🟣 Final Thought:

Mama, your prayers may feel quiet, but they are not powerless.

You’re not just cleaning your home — you’re consecrating it.
You’re not just organizing toys — you’re ordering the atmosphere.
You’re not just decorating rooms — you’re declaring truth in every corner.

You don’t need to be loud. But you can be bold.

Start today — pick a room, pick a verse, and pray out loud.

And if you need help choosing Scriptures, this month’s freebie was made just for you.


How To Make Scripture Part of Your Daily Routine With Kids - Without A Curriculum

How To Make Scripture Part of Your Daily Routine With Kids - Without A Curriculum
If you've ever felt guilty for not doing a full-blown family devotional every day... take the pressure off, sweet friend. 

You don’t need an hour-long study or a Influencer's routine to bring the Word into your home. You just need intention.

Scripture is meant to be part of your everyday — not just your Sunday. It should be a natural outpouring of your own time with the Lord.

Let’s talk about how to make that happen, especially with little ones around.

🟣 God’s Word Is for Real Life — Not Just Quiet Time

Deuteronomy 6 gives us a picture of how Scripture is meant to shape daily life:
“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
— Deuteronomy 6:7 (ESV)
In other words... when you're eating breakfast, driving to practice, wiping counters, tucking kids in — THAT’S the space where Scripture belongs.

It doesn’t need to be formal. It needs to be present.

And here's a hint - if you only read devotionals, or a single "verse-of-the-day", it won't naturally occur to you to talk about God's Word at all those times. 

You have to fill yourself with Scripture first before you can pour it out to your family and others.

🟣 6 Simple Ways to Bring Scripture Into Your Daily Routines

If you're like me and you love actionable, structured ideas, here are some you can try this week — no prep, no curriculum required.

1. Verse of the Week on the Fridge or Bathroom Mirror
Pick one short verse that your family can see often. Use dry-erase marker, Post-It notes, or a chalkboard. The key is visibility = familiarity.
➡️ Try Philippians 2:14 — “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.” 
(Actually...this is a fun one to help them memorize, because we'd all love a little less whining, right? 😉)

2. Speak Scripture While You Correct or Redirect
Instead of just saying “be nice,” try saying:
“God’s Word says to be kind to one another” (Ephesians 4:32).
You’re not using the Bible as a hammer — you’re simply anchoring your correction in truth.

3. Play Scripture Songs During Chores or Playtime
Music helps truth stick. A mom once told me her toddlers could quote more Scripture from worship music than anything else. And yes — it counts.
➡️ Check out Seeds Family Worship or Slugs & Bugs for sound theology in song.

4. Tie Verses to Routines
  • Brushing teeth? Recite Proverbs 15:1.
  • Before meals? Read a Psalm of thanksgiving.
  • At bedtime? Whisper Psalm 4:8 or Psalm 23:1-2.
The goal isn’t performance. It’s presence.

5. Ask Simple, Curious Questions
  • “What do you think God means when He says ‘love one another’?”
  • “Why do you think Jesus told that story?”
These moments spark conversations that plant seeds of faith.

6. Read the Bible Out Loud While They Play
Even if they’re playing with LEGOs or dolls, read anyway.

Isaiah 55:11 reminds us:
“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty…” (ESV)
Don’t wait for perfect stillness. Just read.

Alternatively, you could also put on an app that reads the Bible out loud (I'm one of those people that doesn't particularly enjoying reading aloud, so I understand if you don't either!).

🟣 A Gentle Word for Moms Who Feel Insecure

You don’t need to be a Bible expert. You don’t need seminary-level answers. And you’re not failing if your kids roll their eyes or get wiggly during prayer.

Your consistency matters more than your polish.

Your tone matters more than your volume.

Your willingness to look for answers (rather than pretending to know everything) teaches your children how to be better and more humble students.

And your love for God’s Word? It speaks louder than a thousand rules or reminders.

🟣 Scriptures to Hold Onto as You Lead Faithfully

Here are a few Scriptures that remind us why we do this — even when no one seems to notice:
  • Isaiah 40:11
“He will tend his flock like a shepherd… he will gently lead those that are with young.”
God is gentle with mothers. You can be gentle with yourself, too.
  • Psalm 78:4
“We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord…”
  • 2 Timothy 3:15
“…and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation…”
These verses are your reminder: you’re sowing eternity into your child’s everyday life.

🟣 Final Thought:

God’s Word doesn’t need to compete with your daily routines. It was meant to live inside them.

So whether your kids are toddlers, teens, or somewhere in between—start now. Say the verse. Play the music. Ask the question. Let your home be filled with truth that sticks long after your kids leave the house.

And if you haven’t already grabbed it — be sure to check out this month’s free download:
30 Scriptures to Pray Over Your Home
📩 Grab it here!

 
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This is my story!

 
As a Christian, it can be embarrassing to admit I've been married three times. 

As a woman who feels called to teach about marriage and submission, it can be almost unthinkable that God would put this on my heart after two failed marriages.

But God often uses the broken to accomplish His purposes - and He does not clothe us in shame, but in righteousness.

I have lived the life of the controlling wife. I have lived the life of the controlled wife

Neither brings the blessings God has for marriage.

Through my mistakes and failures, I've learned what submission is, and what it is not.

I am learning and growing every day in my role as a biblically submissive wife, a bonus mom, and a homemaker who cares for her home and family in joyful wellness!

Join me on my journey as I share some of my lessons, tips, and ideas to equip you to live in joyful submission and wellness!

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