<p>Hey guys, welcome back to another episode of <em>The Anchored by the Sword Podcast.</em> You guys already know… conversations surrounding mental health are deeply important to me. Not only because of my own journey, but because I’ve seen firsthand how anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and mental health struggles can impact entire families—and how often people inside the church feel ashamed to talk about it.</p><p><br></p><p>Today’s conversation is one I think so many of you need.</p><p>I’m joined by Melissa Fisher, licensed mental health counselor and author of <em>Jesus for the Anxious: 8 Weeks of Practicing Peace to Calm Your Worry and Fear</em>, which released this May.</p><p><br></p><p>And honestly…</p><p>This episode felt like permission.</p><p>Permission to admit you’re anxious.<br>Permission to stop believing anxiety automatically means weak faith.<br>Permission to realize that Jesus and mental health belong in the same conversation.</p><p><br></p><p>Because Melissa said something that stuck with me:</p><p><em><strong>Anxiety is not sin.</strong></em></p><p><br></p><p>And I know for some people that statement alone may challenge years of messaging.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode we talk about:</p><p><br></p><p>✨ Why anxiety is not a spiritual failure<br>✨ Harmful messages Christians often hear:<br>“If you just prayed more…”<br>“If you had more faith…”<br>✨ How therapy and faith can work together<br>✨ Why anxiety impacts the nervous system physically—not just spiritually<br>✨ Practical tools for calming anxiety (breathing, rest, body awareness, thought patterns)<br>✨ Learning to build your life on God’s faithfulness instead of unstable foundations</p><p><br></p><p>Melissa shares a powerful picture of <strong>wooden beams vs. steel beams</strong>:</p><p><br></p><p>Wooden beams = things we rely on for security:</p><ul><li>finances</li><li>plans</li><li>relationships</li><li>success</li><li>control</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Steel beams = truths about God:</p><ul><li>His faithfulness</li><li>His presence</li><li>His righteousness</li><li>His promises</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Because storms will come.</p><p>Life will shake.</p><p>But the goal isn’t avoiding hardship.</p><p>The goal is having a foundation that holds.</p><p><br></p><p>We also talk about:<br>🤍 Why rest matters<br>🤍 The church and mental health stigma<br>🤍 The importance of counseling<br>🤍 Why overachievers struggle with slowing down<br>🤍 And how calm practices aren’t just for crisis moments—they’re daily habits</p><p><br></p><p>One thing I loved hearing:</p><p>You can struggle with anxiety…<br></p><p>and still deeply love Jesus.</p><p><br></p><p>Friend, if you’re carrying worry, overthinking, panic, fear, or simply feeling exhausted—</p><p><br></p><p>This conversation is for you.</p><p><br></p><p>🎧 Listen now.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Bio:</strong></p><p>Melissa Fisher is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Vancouver, Washington, working with trauma and anxiety. She has two decades of experience in Christian youth, women&#39;s, military, and young adult ministries, as well as personal work in spiritual formation. Melissa has contributed to Karen Whiting and Jocelyn Greene&#39;s Battlefields and Blessings. </p><p><br></p><p>She and her husband, a retired military officer, enjoy traveling with their adult children and hiking in the mountains.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Anchor Verses:</strong></p><p>Psalm 91</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Melissa: </strong></p><p><strong>Website:</strong> <a href="https://www.melissafishercounseling.com">https://www.melissafishercounseling.com</a></p><p><br></p><p>***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***</p>