Faith, Motherhood & Mental Health: From Spiraling to Still Water

I’m so honored to welcome Keri Ann as today’s guest writer. As a homeschooling mama, visual assistant, and the creator behind Simplified Grace, Keri Ann brings a beautifully grounded and faith-filled perspective. Her words today offer encouragement and a gentle reminder of God’s grace in our everyday moments. I know her message will speak to your heart just as it did to mine.

Faith, Motherhood & Mental Health: From Spiraling to Still Water

For a long time, I believed I had to hold it all together.

As a stay-at-home mom, I felt like I needed to prove my worth—like what I did each day somehow wasn’t “enough.” I take care of my girls, work as a virtual assistant, clean the house, plan our homeschool routine, prep meals, and somewhere in there I’m supposed to figure out how to take care of myself. But I wasn’t doing that part very well. Honestly, I was spiraling.

I started feeling anxious all the time. My sleep was all over the place. My chest would tighten and I couldn’t catch my breath. At first, I had no idea what was happening. I had never struggled with anxiety before becoming a mom. I wasn’t used to feeling so overstimulated and stretched thin.

And here’s the hard part—I LOVE being home with my girls. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. But somewhere along the way, I had pushed myself to the very back burner… and I had done the same with my faith. I felt like I didn’t even have time to process my emotions. I would zone out at night just to survive, watching a comforting show until I could fall asleep.

Then one night… everything hit.

My worries turned into anxiety, and that anxiety spiraled into depression. I felt like I was surrounded by darkness. I was having terrible dreams, and for the first time, I truly felt like I couldn’t breathe—physically and spiritually.

That night, I reached a breaking point and whispered, enough is enough.

I pulled out my dusty Bible. I hadn’t opened it in a long time, but I felt a nudge—one I now know was the Holy Spirit. I started praying. Not the fancy kind—just real, raw prayers. “God, I don’t know what to do. Help me.” I asked for forgiveness, for peace, for something to break through the weight I was carrying.

And even then—even when I felt far gone—He met me.

He reminded me He was always near.

But the enemy had been loud. During that season, I believed so many lies:

You have no purpose. You don’t financially provide enough. You need to lose weight. You’re not enough. You're a bad mom.  Your husband doesn’t love you anymore.

Those thoughts consumed me. I didn’t feel like myself anymore.

But God began speaking truth over me—and He even used my daughter to do it.

We were getting ready for bed one night. She was brushing her teeth, and I was looking at myself in the mirror, silently tearing myself down. All of a sudden, she looked up at me and said, “Mommy, you are so beautiful.”

I cried right there in the bathroom. I knew in my heart it was Jesus speaking life over me through her sweet voice. That moment cracked something open inside me.

Since then, I’ve been rebuilding—slowly, intentionally, and with Jesus by my side. I’m learning that healing is not linear, but it is possible.

Here are a few things that have helped me manage my anxiety and reconnect with God:

• Daily Prayers (I use a prayer board to stay grounded)
  

• Meditating on Scripture (even one verse can reframe my day)
  

• Worship Music (I’ve started turning my worries into praise)
  

• Community (don’t isolate—let people walk with you)
  

• Breath Prayers (short prayers like “You are with me… I will not fear”)
  

• Movement (a walk, fresh air, or lifting weights clears my head)
  

And this one’s big: Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Let’s stop pretending we have it all together. Let’s stop the stigma around mental health—especially in faith spaces. It’s okay to not be okay. And we serve a God who doesn’t need us to show up perfectly—just honestly.

What I would tell the “me” from six months ago?

You are not alone. You are not too far gone. And you are so deeply loved by the God who walks with you even through the valley of the shadow of death.

Psalm 23 has been my anchor.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

That’s my reminder. He is with me. He’s with you.

I’m still healing. I’m still learning. But I no longer carry shame for my struggle—I carry hope.

And I want you to know: I’m rooting for you.

You are not alone in this. You are not forgotten.

There is light ahead.

With Grace,

Keri Ann

Keri Ann lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and their two sweet girls. When she’s not homeschooling or soaking up playful moments with her daughters, she works as a virtual assistant. Keri Ann is the heart behind Simplified Grace, a space she created to share her faith and the grace of God with others. Through devotionals, prayer calendars, and other encouraging resources, she offers faith-filled support for women walking through all seasons of life. You can follow her journey and find encouragement at @SimplifiedGraceCo. Let’s walk this journey together.