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# The Intentional Life

Embracing God's Design for Mental Wellness

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://livewithintent.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Why Ditching Goals Can Transform Your Life](https://livewithintent.org/2026/01/05/new-year-new-you/) - God doesn't ask for perfection, or that we crush every goal we set. And failures and set backs from our human perspective may actually be setting us up to be exactly where God wants us to be.
- [The best direction when making plans](https://livewithintent.org/2023/04/27/the-best-direction-when-making-plans/) - How often do we forge ahead with something, convinced we are doing the right thing? We can see all the pieces at play and tell ourselves that we are choosing the right path. We say a quick prayer, thinking there is now a blessing attached to our plan.
- [When service has left you empty](https://livewithintent.org/2023/11/16/when-service-has-left-you-empty/) - When we take this perspective on service and how we use our time, it can soften our hearts towards those we are asked to serve. When some one disrupts our plans, throws off our schedule, or makes us have to redo what we just completed, we can remind ourselves that Jesus's love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. We can love like that.
- [When the celebration is over](https://livewithintent.org/2022/12/28/when-the-celebration-is-over-2/) - As we get back to work or start cleaning up the decorations and putting away the tree, let's pause and consider... What was it like for Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds after that first Christmas?
- [You Can Have Victory in the Wilderness](https://livewithintent.org/2023/02/17/you-can-have-victory-in-the-wilderness/) - We live in a world of excess. We buy food we never consume, we have an ever-present box getting filled for the thrift store, and our trash cans on collection day are overflowing. We have so much, we can’t possibly hold on to it all. We also live in a world of speed. Our food is quick, our cars are speedy, and our days move so fast that they start to blur together. These two things together, excess and fast, leads to a life that leaves us feeling empty and exhausted. But there is a way to counteract what the world is telling us to do.
- [Finding victory in the wilderness](https://livewithintent.org/2024/02/01/finding-victory-in-the-wilderness/) - addressing rush and excess for a calmer, purposeful life We live in a world of excess. We buy food we never consume, we have an ever-present box getting filled for the thrift store, and our trash cans on collection day are overflowing. We have so much, we can’t possibly hold on to it all. We
- [When the celebration is over](https://livewithintent.org/2023/12/27/when-the-celebration-is-over/) - Christmas day, and all it's celebration, is now in the rear view mirror. It can leave us feeling a bit deflated. There is all this build up and then it's gone. The anticipation of family time and coziness and delicious food and then it's over.
- [When it's not all comfort and joy](https://livewithintent.org/2023/12/21/when-its-not-all-comfort-and-joy/) - the true message of Christmas A few years back, on Christmas Eve, we started have issues with our plumbing. The kitchen sink was making a "glugging" sound and when I ran a load of laundry, the water started coming up the kitchen sink. We spent a couple hours trying to figure out the problem between
- [Hope anchors the soul - a thought on Advent](https://livewithintent.org/2023/12/14/hope-anchors-the-soul-a-thought-on-advent/) - Before we get too far ahead of ourselves with the final week's preparations, let's take a moment and prepare space in our thoughts for Him. Have we left room in our thoughts for Him? Or are we more prone to fill it with lies we tend to think are truth, thoughts about ourselves, or thoughts that look down on others? Are we filling our mind with to-dos and what ifs and should-haves instead of promises and truth?
- [When there is one less this Christmas season](https://livewithintent.org/2022/12/02/when-there-is-one-less-this-christmas-season/) - Gathering together when your family is fractured by death feels out of sync. The usual rhythms that you were once used to have to be re-coordinated, new roles assumed, and traditions shift. In times like these, when you are no longer as you once were and those who remain are trying to find their way - this is a time to gather in holy defiance.
- [How do I start being intentional?](https://livewithintent.org/2023/06/15/how-to-start-being-intentional/) - This free resource has been created for you - to help you pinpoint areas in your life that you tend to let stay in maintenance mode and to help you move past mindless living to intentional practices.
- [Numbering Our Days Podcast](https://livewithintent.org/2023/11/04/numbering-our-days-podcast/) - Do you need a weekly dose of encouragement but don't have time to sit and read another email? I've got you! Let me read it to you! Pop on the Numbering Our Days Podcast and get the real and uplifting encouragement you need in just a few minutes while you're commuting to work, prepping dinner,
- [Rewiring your brain with gratitude](https://livewithintent.org/2023/11/02/rewiring-your-brain-with-gratitude/) - Growing up, my mom made us sit down and write thank you notes to family members for birthday and Christmas gifts. As a young kid, I found it a chore. It seemed silly, writing a thank you note when I had already thanked them for the gift in person! But, I’d do it anyway.
- [When you feel worthless and need to be reminded of your worthiness](https://livewithintent.org/2023/10/19/when-you-feel-worthless/) - Can we talk about worth for a moment? Specifically, our own worth?Webster’s defines worth as “the level at which someone or something deserves to be valued or rated.” Now, if you are a Christ follower, we know that our worth is found in Christ alone. We know that we are sinners in need of a
- [The art of noticing the small things](https://livewithintent.org/2023/10/12/the-art-of-noticing-the-small-things/) - combating anxiety one small moment at a time In the hustle and bustle of our modern lives, it's all too easy to become overwhelmed by the constant barrage of information, responsibilities, and stressors that seem to be a never-ending part of our daily routine. Anxiety, a common companion in this fast-paced world, can leave us
- [Winning the Race You Were Called to Run](https://livewithintent.org/2023/10/05/winning-the-race-you-were-called-to-run/) - Lessons in Perseverance and Faith I’m standing in a crowd of spectators as we wait for the first runner to come around the corner. The anticipation starts to be palpable as everyone is waiting excitedly for their runner to show up. Then, the lead runner rounds the corner, and the smattering of voices changes to
- [Hope When Anxiety and Depression Are Debilitating](https://livewithintent.org/2023/09/28/hope-when-anxiety-and-depression-is-debilitating/) - I feel hopelessly unworthy, unsure of even God’s presence. Does this sound familiar to you? If you are in a difficult season of debilitating depression and anxiety, you are not alone.
- [Managing Seasonal Anxiety](https://livewithintent.org/2023/09/21/managing-seasonal-anxiety/) - As the summer transitions into fall, many of us eagerly anticipate the arrival of cooler days, vibrant foliage, and the taste of cinnamon and nutmeg in our favorite drink. However, for some, the change of seasons can trigger anxiety and stress.
- [Who do we listen to when we need to make decisions?](https://livewithintent.org/2023/09/14/who-are-you-listening-to-2/) - When faced with decisions, who are you listening to? Your sphere of influence determines your thought patterns.
- [Stress-free Start to the School Year](https://livewithintent.org/2023/09/07/stress-free-start/) - The start of a new school year is an exciting time filled with fresh opportunities, how can we give it a stress-free start?
- [Do you have imposter syndrome?](https://livewithintent.org/2023/07/20/do-i-have-imposter-syndrome/) - Have you heard of imposter syndrome? Do you wonder if this is something that you struggle with? It may be more common than you think.
- [A 21-day devotional for those who struggle with anxiety](https://livewithintent.org/2023/08/31/a-21-day-devotional-for-those-with-anxiety/) - Introducing a transformative journey tailored specifically for Christian women who grapple with anxiety.
- [Will I ever get past my anxiety?](https://livewithintent.org/2023/08/24/will-i-ever-get-past-my-anxiety/) - At moments of high anxiety, I've asked myself, "Will I ever get past this?" Here's what I've found after 30 years of the struggle.
- [Exhausted from all the work?](https://livewithintent.org/2023/08/17/exhausted-from-all-the-work/) - Is it hard to sit down and relax when you know things still need to be done? Have you ever tried letting the ground rest?
- [An open letter for the start of school](https://livewithintent.org/2023/08/10/an-open-letter-for-the-start-of-school/) - A letter, originally written when my oldest started kindergarten, that portrays a mother's heart for those back-to-school thoughts.
- [When every thought seems to control you and steals your joy](https://livewithintent.org/2023/08/03/does-every-thought-control-you/) - do you believe everything you think? Just like the heart can sway and dictate our feelings, our thoughts can direct our actions. The words we speak, the people we avoid, and even the psychosomatic reactions of our own bodies. A few years ago, I hung a phrase up in a prominent spot in our home
- [When you can't hold on any longer](https://livewithintent.org/2023/07/27/when-you-cant-hold-on/) - Faith, like that rope in tug-of-war, is something that we have to hold on to with a tight grip. It’s something that we have to intentionally be aware of and watchful that our grip does not slip.
- [How do we help ourselves remember the good things?](https://livewithintent.org/2023/07/06/how-do-we-help-ourselves-remember-the-good-things/) - Anxiety has a way of blocking out anything that is good or rational. It causes us to fixate on every bad scenario and any what-if that may come our way. It can become a cloud that blocks out the sun, causing us to only see the hard right in front of us instead of the good all around us.
- [Where do we turn when the road feels long and difficult](https://livewithintent.org/2023/07/13/where-do-we-turn-when-the-road-feels-long-and-difficult/) - I'm excited to bring you a guest writer this week! I met Cassie through COMPEL, an online writer's community. Cassie writes about her chronic health struggles and what the Lord is teaching her through the difficult road of perseverance. If you are finding yourself on a long road with no good answers or clear direction, I hope Cassie's words today encourage you!
- [How can I help my child calm down?](https://livewithintent.org/2023/06/08/how-to-help-child-calm-down/) - Research has shown that children of a parent with an anxiety disorder have a 33 percent higher chance of having it themselves. I can despair over the fact that maybe my kids will have to navigate life with the mental health diagnosis, or I can give what I wish I would have received in my teenage years as my own mental illness began to take root.
- [3 powerful steps to overcome your fear of failure](https://livewithintent.org/2023/06/01/overcome-your-fear-of-failure/) - How do you define failure? How do you define success? It’s one thing to read the definition in a dictionary, it’s another to describe it in regard to your own life.
- [How can I make this summer count?](https://livewithintent.org/2023/05/25/how-can-i-make-this-summer-count/) - We hear about bucket lists, being the "yes" parent, and how we only have so many summers left with our kids. All of that may lead you to feel the pressure to make the most of the summer ahead - and with that pressure comes anxiety.
- [How to be authentic and not a people pleaser](https://livewithintent.org/2023/06/29/how-to-be-authentic-and-not-a-people-pleaser/) - No one likes an imposter. Someone who says one thing and does another. We value authenticity. Being able to believe that the way a person acts and speaks is who they really are, not just a show. We appreciate being able to trust others in this way.
- [What is the first step to improving my health?](https://livewithintent.org/2023/06/22/first-step-to-improving-health/) - In February 2010 I delivered my third and final baby via C-section. Four months prior to that, I had seen my husband train, run, and finish his first marathon. It left me inspired and wanting to do a big race myself. I saw him push himself outside his comfort zone, and I wanted to try it too. It left me thinking, "What is the first step to improving my health and accomplishing that goal?"
- [Can we skip to the good part?](https://livewithintent.org/2023/05/18/can-we-skip-to-the-good-part/) - Are you struggling right now and finding yourself asking "Can we just skip to the good part?" Seasons of illness, poor relationships, hard parenting, tough jobs, dark mental health - the list goes on. Sure, the easy route would be to skip to the good part, get past all this angst, and finally feel like things are good.
- [Encouragement for when life is overwhelming](https://livewithintent.org/2022/05/13/encouragement-for-when-life-is-overwhelming/) - hope in midst of suffering This past week our school community has suffered a great loss. Our head basketball coach, a man who exemplified Godly character, strength, and grace, passed away from cancer. It was a long, hard fight and he continued to tell the story of God's salvation and the hope of heaven to
- [3 simple steps to a calmer mind, body, and soul](https://livewithintent.org/2023/05/04/3-steps-to-calm-your-anxious-thoughts/) - How we handle our thoughts is important to how we handle our anxiety. But equally so is our ability to communicate between our mind and our body. Our mind may believe that we are safe, but our body may not have received the message. Such was the instance for me in the kitchen that evening. I knew I was safe and there was nothing to worry about, but my body hadn't gotten the memo.
- [What is the downside to hustle?](https://livewithintent.org/2023/05/11/what-is-the-downside-to-hustle/) - We can hold on to the belief that if we just work a little harder, pray a little more, have a little more faith, push ourselves that extra step, then everything will start falling into place. But eventually, it will burn us out. What then?
- [Where do we turn when we need hope?](https://livewithintent.org/2022/04/30/where-do-we-turn-when-we-need-hope/) - I love the word picture of a radiant face that is pointed upward, unashamed. It gives me an image of going outside after days of rainy weather to finally see the sunshine, to turn your face towards it's warmth with a smile on your face. You bask in the radiance that the sun gives, it's rays beckoning you to lift your face upwards.
- [What to do when life is out of control](https://livewithintent.org/2023/04/20/what-to-do-when-life-is-out-of-control/) - Today on the blog I am sharing my friend with you! Megan and I have met through the writing community and we have quickly connected over our similarities when it comes to our awkward personalities, our love for sharing God's Word and how He is shaping us, and our mutual struggle with anxiety and mental health. I hope you are encouraged by her words today!
- [What happens to the fig tree in the Spring?](https://livewithintent.org/2023/04/13/what-happens-to-the-fig-tree-in-the-spring/) - If the fig tree didn’t have it’s winter rest, safe in the dark room, it wouldn’t have the energy to produce those delicious figs come August. If you are in this season of waiting right now, how can you use it to build up your resources and to take an intentional rest?
- [What is so good about Friday?](https://livewithintent.org/2023/04/07/what-is-so-good-about-friday/) - Why do we call it Good Friday? That awful, terrible day. Full of pain, blood, and undeserving death. From a human perspective, it's not good at all.
- [How to celebrate Seder](https://livewithintent.org/2023/04/06/how-to-celebrate-seder/) - For those who celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, this is a very special week. Easter. There are several different ways to approach this holiday, but we will get so much more out of it if we are intentionally preparing our hearts as we walk through this week.
- [The #1 way to identify yourself](https://livewithintent.org/2022/03/22/the-1-way-to-identify-yourself/) - In first grade a certain young lady was called 'fat' by another classmate and that word has stuck. Now, several years later, as we are shopping for jeans, she vents her frustration at how hard it is to find something that fits, "this makes me feel fat! Just like what that boy said!" ​It's 5
- [how to address anxiety, feelings of failure, and lack of purpose](https://livewithintent.org/2023/03/30/how-to-address-anxiety-feelings-of-failure-and-lack-of-purpose/) - In addition to finally getting the practical help I needed, I also made the surprising discovery that embracing the reality of my limited number of days on earth has been key to unlocking the peace I had been longing for.
- [Get to the root of the issue](https://livewithintent.org/2023/03/10/get-to-the-root-of-the-issue/) - Do you find yourself overreacting to little irritations? Your partner forgot to pick up something on the way home - and it sets you off in a bad mood for the entire evening. Your child tracked mud on the freshly mopped floor - and you explode. You find yourself steaming with resentment when your boss simply asks you to complete one more task before headed home. If these types of things are causing your mood to tip from 'barely holding on' to 'full blown anger' it's time to take a closer look.
- [The hidden benefits of kitchen therapy](https://livewithintent.org/2023/03/23/the-hidden-benefits-of-kitchen-therapy/) - When I was at my lowest point with my anxiety and depression, it took all of my mental energy to convince myself to get out of bed and move through my day. Most of my days I went through the motions of getting the kids off to school, working my secretary job, and being back home in time to welcome the kids home from school. Outwardly, I did my best to hold myself together when inwardly I was vacillating between wanting to cry in the dark or scream into a pillow.
- [5 Ways to Combat Stress and Improve Your Mental Health](https://livewithintent.org/2023/03/15/5-ways-to-combat-stress-and-improve-your-mental-health/) - Feeling overwhelmed? Get tips and tools to reduce stress, improve mental health and maintain balance in your life. Learn more here!
- [When your work feels wasted and fruitless](https://livewithintent.org/2023/03/16/when-your-work-feels-wasted-and-fruitless/) - Do you sometimes feel like all the work you do is either done better by someone else or seemingly worthless? I Corinthians has encouragement for us.
- [Where do we run when trouble comes](https://livewithintent.org/2023/03/03/where-do-we-run-when-trouble-comes/) - I live in the Midwest where tornado season can run from April to October. Since a very young age, I have been terrified of storms that could breed tornadoes. In grade school, as soon as the season hit, we would practice tornado drills at school. That small drill led to weeks of nightmares for me.
- [Ditch the 'just'](https://livewithintent.org/2022/11/18/ditch-the-just-2/) - We play the downgrade game all the time. If someone is doing it better, more efficiently, more profoundly, and being recognized for it, then we feel that we have lost the chance to take the title for ourselves as well. We often downplay it by putting the word “just” in front of it.
- [What if we chose discomfort?](https://livewithintent.org/2022/02/03/what-if-we-chose-discomfort/) - What if we chose discomfort? C’mon. You can do it. Almost there. One step in front of the other. Eyes up, don’t look down. This was my inner monologue to myself this morning as I trundled through 2 miles on the treadmill. From the moment I started running this morning, I thought about being done.
- [Committing to your calling](https://livewithintent.org/2023/02/24/committing-to-your-calling/) - This week on the blog I am featuring my friend, Hadassah Treu! Though we have never met in person (she lives in Bulgaria!) I have gotten to know her over the past couple years through our writing community and I appreciate her heart for Jesus and the Gospel. Hadassah has written a 15-page printable workbook that she is offering for FREE to my readers. Check out more on the blog.
- [You are more than your feelings](https://livewithintent.org/2023/02/10/you-are-more-than-your-feelings/) - We can either choose to follow our feelings of overwhelm, procrastination, and fear that are telling us that we can't handle the day, that we're not up to the task, and we are a failure. Or, we can dip into the toolbox for anxious days, remind ourselves that our feelings may be real, but they may not always be true, and take some practical steps to address our anxiety.
- [3 practical ways to help your anxious friend](https://livewithintent.org/2023/02/03/3-practical-ways-to-help-your-anxious-friend-2/) - If you have a friend in your life that struggles with anxiety and depression, the smallest acts of kindness can speak volumes. By reaching out and showing you care, you can be the ‘good and perfect gift’ that the Father has sent to your friend. And, when a good and perfect gift, in the form of a reach out from a friend, comes your way, you can trust it’s just one more example of His care for you.
- [Confirming your calling in Christ](https://livewithintent.org/2023/01/27/confirming-your-calling-in-christ/) - When it comes to our walk with Christ - how do we keep from falling away? How do we fight against what all the world is pulling and calling us to? We are to be in the world, serving as the hands and feet of Jesus. But, how do we serve in the world without becoming a part of it?
- [Combating Anxiety in the Power of Small Intentional Moments](https://livewithintent.org/2023/01/19/combating-anxiety-in-the-power-of-small-intentional-moments/) - You know time is precious, and you don’t want to waste it. You desire a life that has meaning and purpose. But your day is filled with dishes, laundry, carpooling, the nine to five, texts to respond to, soccer practice, and bedtime routines. You say you want a life that matters, but how do you do that in the middle of … life?
- [Do not lose heart.](https://livewithintent.org/2023/01/13/do-not-lose-heart/) - The world gives us more and more reasons to divide ourselves from other groups who don't think like us and there continues to be media sources that use fear instead of facts to inform, and our mental health is paying the price. It can become so easy to focus on what is going wrong in the world and begin to worry and fear for the here-and-now and for the future. Just one news article or passionate pessimist conversation can derail our whole day. What do we do about this? How do we combat the enemy and all the lies that he throws at us on a daily basis?
- [Settling in and putting down roots](https://livewithintent.org/2023/01/06/settling-in-and-putting-down-roots/) - Whenever our lives feel like we are striving and exhausted and untethered, we need to ask ourselves what part of our soul is longing for Eden. Humans were first intended to live in the garden, settled and surrounded by God’s presence. And our soul, whether we are aware of it or not, is trying to get back to the garden. We all long for our souls to nuakh in Eden.
- [For the times when life feels weary](https://livewithintent.org/2022/12/23/for-the-times-when-life-feels-weary/) - Every Christmas season it seems that a different song ministers to my heart. And each year it's something I hang on to for the Christmas season, using it to help me keep focus and even learn a different perspective on this season that we think we all know so well by now.
- [A dinner of hope and celebration - a Slavic Christmas tradition](https://livewithintent.org/2022/12/09/a-dinner-of-hope-and-celebration-a-slavic-christmas-tradition/) - Twenty years ago I married into the Suvar family. I knew that they had family roots from the Czech Republic and Slovakia but didn't know how much of that had carried forward from the move to America. But, like many traditions that get passed along through families - food and holiday traditions were part of it. A tradition that has become special to me is the Vilija dinner that we enjoy together every Christmas. There are specific decorations used and certain foods that we eat. Each part points to the story of Jesus in some way and I love the reflection that comes with it as we gather together as a family to commemorate Christ's birth.
- [What to do in the waiting](https://livewithintent.org/2022/11/25/what-to-do-in-the-waiting-2/) - We have a limited view. We only see the present and a bit in the past. However, God’s omniscience means He see along the whole timeline of the ages knows how it’s all supposed to work out, even when we do not.
- [3 ways to rein in that Christmas budget](https://livewithintent.org/2022/10/31/3-ways-to-rein-in-that-christmas-budget/) - Intentional and regular practices of generosity have been associated with the release of a slew of good chemicals, including oxytocin, dopamine, and various endorphins.
- [Who are you listening to?](https://livewithintent.org/2022/10/21/who-are-you-listening-to/) - When faced with decisions, who are you listening to? Your sphere of influence determines your thought patterns.
- [You're not ready](https://livewithintent.org/2022/10/14/youre-not-ready/) - A lot in life never gets done because we keep waiting until "we are ready." Something looks kind of difficult or we know it's going to make us uncomfortable. We may be afraid that we are going to fail, so we put it off for another day - until we're ready. But, if you put off these things until you are ready- You. Never. Will. Be
- [Rest from the endless-effort life](https://livewithintent.org/2022/10/06/fight-against-the-endless-effort-life/) - We are invited into this Sabbath rest, not just on Sundays, but every day. We are invited to rest from our striving in life and instead rest and trust in God to give us our worth and fulfillment.
- [You have a choice to make](https://livewithintent.org/2022/09/30/you-have-a-choice-to-make-2/) - In order to get to the mountaintop of joy, that deep worship experience with your Father, there has to first be pain. This isn’t because God is hateful and vindictive and wants to see us suffer.
- [Is it time to address that grocery budget?](https://livewithintent.org/2022/09/09/is-it-time-to-address-that-grocery-budget/) - Lately, as I walk the aisles of the store, I can feel the anxiety creep in. Between an entire type of food no longer being available (yogurt?!) or some things causing twice as much as they used to (potatoes?!) I start to feel the cloud of doom and gloom and wonder how we're going to make this all work.
- [3 time-wasting busters](https://livewithintent.org/2022/09/19/3-time-wasting-busters-2/) - We all like the idea that our time is not wasted, yet how often do we fall into the time warp of distractions: social media, emails, procrastination, streaming videos, and lack of priorities. We know these things can suck up our time, but yet we fall into their traps time and time again. How can
- [Celebrating the Seder](https://livewithintent.org/2022/04/08/celebrating-the-seder/) - One thing we do in our house is prepare and celebrate the Passover, or Seder meal, on the Thursday of Easter week. However, it's done a little differently than the Passover of the Old Testament, because we now KNOW the Passover Lamb and the Reason that the whole meal was pointing to.
- [What's so good about Friday?!](https://livewithintent.org/2022/04/14/whats-so-good-about-friday/) - ​Good Friday. Because of hindsight, we know why it is good. That awful, terrible day. Full of pain, blood, and undeserving death. From a human perspective, it's not good at all. ​But from the perspective of our soul, we know the goodness it holds. ​I smile (maybe, smirk?) at the thought that Satan thought
- [Lessons from a Fig Tree](https://livewithintent.org/2022/04/16/lessons-from-a-fig-tree/) - A few years back, a friend gave me a fig tree as a gift. She told me to plant it in a pot, put it in full sun and leave it outside all summer with regular watering. But, when it starts to get cold, I need to bring it inside. Fig trees are not particularly
- [Yes or No - 3 Questions to help you decide](https://livewithintent.org/2022/08/26/march-10th-2022/) - I’m always excited about “volunteer plants.” These are the random vegetables that just start growing in the Spring without any help from me. Maybe it’s because I’m not that great at gardening, so when plants spring up green and thriving, I get a little giddy. A couple years ago the volunteers coming up were
- [what sunflowers can teach us](https://livewithintent.org/2022/07/29/what-sunflowers-can-teach-us/) - I’m out for a morning run. Though the sun has been up for at least an hour, it doesn’t feel like it. The clouds are heavy and hang low. There is a slight mist in the air and the everything looks gray. There aren’t even shadows on the ground as there is no sunshine to
- [On disappointment and hurt](https://livewithintent.org/2022/07/19/on-disappointment-and-hurt/) - David hunkered down behind a boulder, gasping for breath and trying to slow his heart and mind. Once again, he was pursued. He had done nothing wrong. In fact, he had gone out of his way to go above and beyond to prove to his enemy that he meant no wrong. Yet, King Saul wanted
- [4 ways God is not your dad](https://livewithintent.org/2022/06/18/4-ways-god-is-not-your-dad/) - Because fathers are part of humanity, they are also prone to the sin nature we all possess. And with the high amount of fatherless children, many can get the distorted idea that all fathers are prone to this - even our heavenly Father. It can be difficult to believe that a God who calls Himself our Father could do any better than the actions of the dads we know. We project our hurt from our own fathers onto Him and assume the worst.
- [a message to Jeremiah is one for us, too](https://livewithintent.org/2022/06/09/a-message-to-jeremiah-is-one-for-us-too/) - You may be familiar with Jeremiah, also known as the weeping prophet. At around 20 years of age, Jeremiah was called into service by God, prophesying the coming exile of Israel and Judah. The Israelites were wandering away from God and God was trying to call them back. Jeremiah was faithful when God gave him
- [How are you smelling?](https://livewithintent.org/2022/06/02/how-are-you-smelling/) - A few years ago, when my grandparents were moving from their home into an Assisted Living facility, I helped them sort through their things in storage. I came across some old pillowcases and sheets and thought they could be repurposed into a craft project someday. They gladly passed them on to me. Not long after,
- [when you're not the first choice](https://livewithintent.org/2022/05/25/when-youre-not-the-first-choice/) - “I feel like I am never anyone’s first choice.” Those words broke my heart. Not only because they came from the mouth of my own child, but because they were words that often echo in my own heart as well. Friendships can be hard to navigate. I thought by the time I was 40 that
- [You can make a difference right where you are](https://livewithintent.org/2022/02/10/hello-world-2/) - I knew it as soon as my eyes opened. It was going to be one of those days. The day felt dark and overwhelming. My legs felt sluggish and my mind slow to start. There wasn’t anything in particular that made me feel this way. Or perhaps it was everything that did. Depression doesn’t always
- [That slippery slope of people-pleasing](https://livewithintent.org/2022/03/28/that-slippery-slope-of-people-pleasing/) - No one likes an imposter. Someone who says one thing and does another. We value authenticity. Being able to believe that the way a person acts and speaks is who they really are, not just a show. We appreciate being able to trust others in this way. And I would assume others would value this
- [The God Who Rejoices in You](https://livewithintent.org/2022/03/01/the-god-who-rejoices-in-you/) - ​"For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLT The nation of Judah was in a tight spot and they didn’t even
- [Dwelling on Truth](https://livewithintent.org/2022/02/08/dwelling-on-truth/) - “Don’t believe everything you think.” A few years ago, I hung those words in a prominent spot in our home. It has become a reminder for myself, as well as anyone who comes for a visit.I’ve found that sometimes we make ourselves anxious because of the thoughts spiraling around in our minds, but not all of
- [When the enemy lives next door](https://livewithintent.org/2022/01/30/january-31st-2022/) - My writing is being featured over on Kingdom Edge Magazine!This was a tough article to write and it even gives me anxiety as I see it in print. But, I felt God's prompting to put it out there, because maybe it can help and encourage someone who is going through something similar. Read the full
- [3 practical ways to help your anxious friend](https://livewithintent.org/2022/01/22/3-practical-ways-to-help-your-anxious-friend/) - I know it as soon as my eyes open. It’s going to be one of those days. The day feels dark and overwhelming. My legs feel sluggish and my mind is slow to start. There isn’t anything in particular that makes me feel this way. I haven’t just received bad news, no relationship in my
- [That one thing that can jump start your next cleaning project](https://livewithintent.org/2022/01/17/that-one-thing-that-can-jump-start-your-next-cleaning-project/) - What is that one thing that can jump start your next cleaning project?Laundry. Dinner prep. Dishes. Sweeping. Toy pick-up. More laundry.There are just some chores that, no matter the size of your family unit, require almost daily attention. And often it’s all we can do just to stay on top of those daily tasks. You’ve
- [You have a choice to make.](https://livewithintent.org/2022/01/10/you-have-a-choice-to-make/) - A few years back we moved into a new home. It had a decent sized yard, so the first thing my husband wanted to do was start a garden. Unfortunately, the whole yard was grass. There was no previously cut spot of exposed dirt for a garden.We had to start from scratch.This involved cutting up
- [Thoughts on a new year](https://livewithintent.org/2021/12/31/thoughts-on-a-new-year/) - New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are a real struggle for me.I wrestle with all my failures from this past year, all those goals and dreams still unmet. And feel suffocated with the expectation that I need to come up with great goals and plans for the next year arriving.It leaves me feeling anxious
- [For All That You Have Done](https://livewithintent.org/2021/12/31/for-all-that-you-have-done/) - 12 photos to wrap up 2021. The following are the lyrics to our family's anthem song. Sung to the tune of Auld Lang Syne. A perfect wrap up for the end of a year.Your grace will never be forgotYour mercy all my lifeWill be my soul's forever songMy story and my lightFrom mountaintop to valley
- [It will not overcome](https://livewithintent.org/2021/12/17/it-will-not-overcome/) - What is a single verse, that when you read it, makes your heavy heart lift with hope?Despite this being the merriest time of year, it can also feel very heavy. When we start to feel like the dark is pressing down our shoulders and pushing down our gaze, we need to intentionally remind ourselves of
- [Total Transformation](https://livewithintent.org/2021/12/16/total-transformation/) - For years my mom has grown milkweed in her backyard, knowing it attracts monarch butterflies. Every year she brings in a chrysalis or two, securing them safely in their net enclosures, allowing the spectator to watch the progress of metamorphosis. One year I was visiting when a butterfly was making its appearance. What one moment was
- [For when life feels weary](https://livewithintent.org/2021/12/01/for-when-life-feels-weary/) - Each year I find that a different set of Christmas song's lyrics jumps out at me like it hasn't in the past. And each year it's something I hang on to for the Christmas season, using it to help me keep focus and even learn a different perspective on this season that we think we
- [How silently...](https://livewithintent.org/2021/11/30/how-silently/) - Distraction.We are surrounded by it.So easily at our fingertips.We say we want to be less busy, less hectic.But then what would we do with that time? It's that time of year where schedules seem even fuller and every conversation is smattered with talk of who is doing what, and when, and what still has to
- [When you're not feeling thankful](https://livewithintent.org/2021/11/24/when-youre-not-feeling-thankful/) - I was sitting with my morning coffee, watching the colors outside our front window turn from black to grey to blue. It was peaceful, beautiful sunrise, but I was lost in my thoughts. News about a friend's health diagnosis, the weight of the latest news story, and various unmet expectations pulled my thoughts in all
- [What to do in the waiting](https://livewithintent.org/2021/11/19/what-to-do-in-the-waiting/) - Even as I said the prayer out loud, alone in the car, I imagined the words hitting the ceiling and bouncing back down. Not heard. Forgotten.It’s how my heart felt as I had been crying out the same prayer over and over for years and still there was no change.Did God even care? I imagined
- [That time when someone disappoints you...](https://livewithintent.org/2021/09/29/that-time-when-someone-disappoints-you/) - It’s inevitable. At some point in time, someone in your life is going to let you down. Your expectation of what you thought they would say or do falls short and you are disappointed. Someone you trusted is caught in a lie. A friend who is loyal is found to have broken your confidence. A family member
- [What Isaiah had to say about worship, it may be different than what you think...](https://livewithintent.org/2021/09/22/what-isaiah-had-to-say-about-worship-it-may-be-different-than-what-you-think/) - As Christ followers, our first response to any trial or difficulty should be to turn to Him. Seek Him is prayer and wait for His leading. When we see hard things around us, our first response should be to pray.In this past year there have been events, on a global scale, that feel large and
- [Is your home secure?](https://livewithintent.org/2021/09/15/is-your-home-secure/) - We all describe our homes in different ways and we all have different goals for what we want our home to be to us. But, one thing we can all agree on, is that we want our home to feel safe. On average, Americans spend $20.64 billion on home security systems every year.Clearly, we want our
- [Is it a failure or are you just classifying it as that?](https://livewithintent.org/2021/09/01/is-it-a-failure-or-are-you-just-classifying-it-as-that/) - It was a random Wednesday night. My husband had of course fallen asleep in about 3 minutes and I was lying there, listening to his breathing, wishing I too could fall asleep that easily. As I lay there wishing, a sense of melancholy came over me. And, as is my nature, I follow that emotion
- [Consider the sunflowers](https://livewithintent.org/2021/08/13/consider-the-sunflowers/) - My morning started with devastating news. The irreversible, gone too young, kind of news. And then the rest of the morning progressed downward with various other things that have left my soul feeling heavy, my mind weary with the thought that there is so much bad outweighing the good.I drove home from work full on
- [An open letter at the start of school](https://livewithintent.org/2021/08/11/an-open-letter-at-the-start-of-school/) - Dear Child, You are a treasured child of the King. The world is going to tell you that you are going to lose, but take heart - THEY DON'T KNOW THE RULES.Don't take it personally when some kid makes fun of your mismatched-on-purpose clothing choices or the stuffed animal that you brought in for show-in-tell or
- [We could learn something from this guy...](https://livewithintent.org/2021/08/04/we-could-learn-something-from-this-guy/) - There was this guy who had a decent house, nice car, and a fridge full of food. He knew people who had more than him, but he knew a lot more people who had less.Due to a well-timed investment he suddenly saw himself with a windfall of money. He had so much he didn't even
- [Something we all crave](https://livewithintent.org/2021/07/22/something-we-all-crave/) - In the car, early in the morning, the sun is just rising over the horizon. I drive with my coffee in one hand, hoping for it to warm up my insides a bit. My children are in the back seat, chattering the way elementary kids do, ready for a day of school. Despite the sweet
- [When it's time to land the plane](https://livewithintent.org/2021/07/15/when-its-time-to-land-the-plane/) - Flying gives me anxiety.Well, to be more exact, the process of getting to fly gives me anxiety. I love the lift off, the cruising through the air, the view from the window, and the sudden stop when we land on the ground. None of those things causes my palms to sweat or heart to race.What
- [Let's talk about worth](https://livewithintent.org/2021/07/08/lets-talk-about-worth/) - Can we talk about worth for a moment? Specifically, our own worth?Webster’s defines worth as “the level at which someone or something deserves to be valued or rated.”Now, if you are a Christ follower, we know that our worth is found in Christ alone. We know that we are sinners in need of a Savior.

## Pages

- [About me](https://livewithintent.org/about-me/) - Other Publications Numbering Our Days: Combating Anxiety in the Power of Small Intentional Moments (Westbow Press) Prepare Him Room: An Intentional Advent Devotional (Amazon KDP) To Shine Like a Star: 7 questions to help you find your place and purpose in this world (Amazon KDP) Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart (Proverbs 31 Ministries) My Daily Intention
- [The Blog](https://livewithintent.org/home-2/)
- [Contact](https://livewithintent.org/contact-nichole/) - I’m so glad you’re here! If you would like more information about my ministry resources, anxiety support, products, speaking, or coaching, I would love to hear from you! Or if you simply have a prayer request or need a safe place to share your hard story or current struggle, I’m here. Want 1-on-1 support? Unlock
- [Books](https://livewithintent.org/my-book/) - NEW RELEASE ORDER NOW In the beginning, God poured His love into a garden. The Bible begins with the story of creation. God builds a beautiful world . . . and a garden. In the garden of Eden, creation drank of God’s goodness and lived in His perfect peace. Yet since the fall of humanity,
- [Speaking](https://livewithintent.org/speaking/) - Serving Women from the Page to the Stage Invite Nichole to SPEAK at your next event! Nichole J Suvar is an author and speaker who knows what it feels like to live overwhelmed, rushed, and stretched thin by anxiety. Now, through her books, devotions, podcast, and speaking, she helps women slow down, understand what’s beneath
- [Weekly Devo](https://livewithintent.org/free-gift/) - Overwhelm and anxious thoughts can distract you from your life. It doesn't have to be this way. Join The Quiet Becoming. A weekly thought, prayer, and pause to help you release overwhelm, quiet anxious thoughts, and become a woman living in God’s peace, not your own fleeting, fabricated one. It’s your gentle invitation to slow
- [EDENWAY](https://livewithintent.org/edenway/) - Communion Though we take parts of Eden with us, we lose sight of the gift of true connection with God while living in this world. We allow noise to drown out His voice and tangible things to distract us from His presence. In this book, we’ll explore the ways that God has given us a
- [Course](https://livewithintent.org/peace-and-purpose-course/) - The Overwhelm Fix ENROLL NOW Quiet the distraction of anxiety and address the areas that are causing you to feel overwhelmed. WHY OVERWHELM FIX? You are stretched thin and distracted by the chaos in your life. You want to focus on what matters but you're unsure of what that truly is. The Overwhelm Fix will
- [Cohort](https://livewithintent.org/cohort/) - "What you give your attention to is the person you will become." John Mark Comer COHORT ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN! DOORS CLOSE APRIL 23. The Whole Life Reset: Becoming Intentionally You Breathe deeply into grace Focus with eternal perspective Become who God designed you to be. an intentional living strategy cohort ENROLL NOW Your focus impacts
- [Resources](https://livewithintent.org/resources-for-a-life-of-purpose/) - Resources for a life of purpose connect the life that God has given you with the purpose He has called you to. free download The start to helping you connect your purpose of daily life to the hope of eternity. The Intentional Life community focuses on different parts of our life that we can live
- [Shop](https://livewithintent.org/shop-2/) - Grab your Numbering Our Days Merch- something to remind you that small intentional moments lead to a life of purpose
- [Thank you!](https://livewithintent.org/thank-you/) - Hooray! The Intentional Heart Guide is on the way to you! If you don’t see my message in your inbox, check your spam or promotions folder or email nichole@livewithintent.org and we’ll support you! Want to see your life transform even faster? Ready for even more support? Then you’ll love my book, Numbering Our Days: Combating
- [Merch](https://livewithintent.org/products/) - Welcome to The Intentional Life Products check out the blog View more resources to combat anxiety go to resources How can your anxiety be for good? find out now Shop now
- [Pockets of Peace: Real Women Share Triumphs Over Anxiety](https://livewithintent.org/free/) - Pockets of Peace: 21 days of scripture to help focus your mind and calm your heart a compilation of wisdom from women who know anxiety firsthand from 21 contributing authors C.S Lewis once said, “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought I was the only
- [Shop](https://livewithintent.org/shop/)
- [Missions supported with intentional giving through Funding the Great Commission](https://livewithintent.org/missions-supported-with-intentional-giving-the-intentional-life-collective/) - COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL CMF INTERNATIONAL LIFESONG JOSIAH VENTURE ETHNOS 360 GLOBAL SERVICE NETWORK CRU AMAZON SALT & LIGHT KIBIR
- [Intentional Spending - THE INTENTIONAL LIFE COLLECTIVE](https://livewithintent.org/intentional-spending-the-intentional-life-collective/) - Real People, Real Results Amazing results from Nichole's customers! If you see yourself in one of these "before" pictures, imagine how happy you'll be when you've become the "after!"Rodan+Fields makes it simple to find the best solution for YOUR needs! If you're not sure what products fit your individual concerns, send Nichole an email and
- [Radical Giving - THE INTENTIONAL LIFE COLLECTIVE](https://livewithintent.org/radical-giving-the-intentional-life-collective/) - Radical Giving. I have a heart for missions and a drive to think outside the box. Because of that, God has used a skincare line to help fund my dreams of funding the Great Commission with skincare. Giving everyone the opportunity to do MORE GOOD with their skincare. find out more What if you can
- [Let's chat - THE INTENTIONAL LIFE COLLECTIVE](https://livewithintent.org/lets-chat-the-intentional-life-collective/) - Are you interested in writing for The Intentional Life? Though this has started as a 1-person show, I know we are so much better when we collaborate! Do you live life with intention? Do you want to encourage others to live for God's glory and point other to Him? Fill out the form and I'll

## Products

- [Prepare Him Room: An Intentional Advent Devotional](https://livewithintent.org/product/prepare-him-room-an-intentional-advent-devotional/) - We all know the typical responses to that span of time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Though we know it's a joyful time of twinkling lights and holiday cheer, it also brings in the feelings of rushed timelines, packed schedules, and being overwhelmed with the weight that you've forgotten to do something. We spend so much time getting ready for the holiday of Christmas, but how much time do we spend actually preparing for Jesus? We have a long list of prep work for the activities. We have many things on our calendar to get ready for. But how much time do we spend getting ourselves in the proper state of mind for the celebration of our King? This devotional helps you to intentionally think through areas of your life of where you can take the focus off the craziness of the holiday and place it back on the wonder of the season. It will help you to meditate on your own daily preparations with scripture and reflective questions after each devotion. I welcome you to come along on this journey of seeking to be intentional with this Advent Season - to look at several areas of our life where we can Prepare Him Room.
- [Numbering Our Days: Combating Anxiety in the Power of Small Intentional Moments](https://livewithintent.org/product/numbering-our-days/) - How do you use the struggle of anxiety as a path to a life of meaning? With short daily devotions and practical application, Numbering Our Days encourages you to move out of maintenance mode and away from the spiral of anxiety and into a life lived with intention. Because small moments, day by day, add up to an intentional life. Signed Copy of Numbering Our Days Published by WestBow Press. Signed with love and shipped direct from the author. United States only. Price includes tax and shipping.
- [To Shine Like a Star: 7 questions to help you find your place and purpose in this world](https://livewithintent.org/product/to-shine-like-a-star-7-questions-to-help-you-find-your-place-and-purpose-in-this-world/) - Navigating your teenage years can feel like a rollercoaster, with highs of fun and friendships and lows of awkwardness and anxiety. It seems like everyone else has it all figured out while you're still finding your way. But you are not alone, and your feelings are normal. In To Shine Like a Star, you'll embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. This book explores seven key areas of life where asking the right questions can help you find your path. With guidance from Bible verses, reflective exercises, and heartfelt prayers, you'll learn to align your values with God's vision. Paul’s command to the Philippians is still the same call for us today - shine like a star in a dark sky. This book encourages you to look for those everyday ways that you can shine for His glory and find peace and purpose along the way. Embrace your uniqueness, find your place, and shine like the stars in the sky.
- [My Daily Intention Guide](https://livewithintent.org/product/my-daily-intention-guide/) - Sometimes just the daily grind can feel overwhelming. You know it’s best to just focus on the thing in front of you but even that feels hard. My Daily Intention Guide breaks it down for you and helps you look at 7 main areas of your life that you can focus on and take that one small step in front of you – intentionally.
- [Make it Count Sticker](https://livewithintent.org/product/make-it-count-sticker/) - 2"x 2" gloss sticker. Printed by Canva, Created and shipped by the author
- [Recognize, Reconnect, Refocus Sticker](https://livewithintent.org/product/recognize-reconnect-refocus-sticker/) - 2"x 2" gloss sticker. Printed by Canva, Created and shipped by the author

## Categories

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