Michelle Weise Michelle Weise

Climate Anxiety & The Unseen Crisis — How We Can Choose Peace in the Face of Overwhelming News

In the past few decades, the evidence keeps stacking: climate-related disasters are more frequent, more intense, more expensive. According to NOAA, the U.S. has endured hundreds of billion-dollar weather and climate disasters since 1980, with 403 such disasters (damages ≥ $1B) already recorded through 2024. (NCEI) The GAR 2025, likewise, warns that unless we change how we invest, protect, and plan, both people and governments will be burdened with escalating risk and debt. (UNDRR)

In the past few decades, the evidence keeps stacking: climate-related disasters are more frequent, more intense, more expensive. According to NOAA, the U.S. has endured hundreds of billion-dollar weather and climate disasters since 1980, with 403 such disasters (damages ≥ $1B) already recorded through 2024. (NCEI) The GAR 2025, likewise, warns that unless we change how we invest, protect, and plan, both people and governments will be burdened with escalating risk and debt. (UNDRR)

Many people, especially young people, report climate anxiety: worry about the future, guilt over impact, grief for what we’ve already lost.

What Climate Anxiety Looks Like

  • Restlessness, sleepless nights, feeling powerless.

  • Lament and sorrow for natural places, species, weather patterns disappearing.

  • Worry for children, for communities more vulnerable to disasters.

Faith That Holds Meaning in a Fragile World

  • Many faiths teach stewardship—that the earth is sacred, that we are caretakers. That gives meaning to small acts: recycling, advocacy, support of policies that protect the vulnerable.

  • Creation care is not separate from caring for neighbors—often those suffering first and worst are those with least voice. Faith can orient us toward justice.

  • Prayer, lament, thanksgiving—even in sorrow—can be spiritual practices that restore hope.

Mindset Shifts: From Doom to Action + Acceptance

  • Accept what we cannot immediately control; identify what we can.

  • Focus on consistent small actions: reduce waste, support clean energy, adopt sustainable habits, vote, speak up. These shake the posture of powerlessness.

  • Avoid overexposure: reading everything about climate disaster can paralyze. Balance awareness with rest.

Wellness Practices for Resilience

  • Nature: spending time outdoors, feeling connected to what’s alive, restored.

  • Emotional health: talk, lament, art, community that acknowledges sorrow and also hope.

  • Spiritual rest: silence, prayer, faith rituals; trusting that doing what you can matters, even amid global forces.

Leveraging Community, Faith, Hope to Restore Power

  • Join or support local environmental justice or conservation efforts. Faith communities can be powerful partners.

  • Advocate for policies that protect the most vulnerable.

  • Use your voice: message, conversations, educating others. Hope multiplied gives strength.

Takeaway

Climate anxiety may feel like an internal storm, but you have power: in how you think, who you choose to be, what you do. Faith, mindset, and wellness are more than coping tools—they are lifelines back to purpose, peace, and action. Hope is not naive; it is necessary.

If climate news has your heart racing, if the future sometimes feels heavy, then breathe. You can anchor in faith. You can renew your mindset. You can prioritize wellness.

Download The New Beginnings Mindset Journal to clarify your values and actions.
Download Faith over Fear Journal to walk with courage when the shadows of tomorrow loom large.

Take a moment today to reclaim peace.

References

  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information: Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (U.S.) through 2024. NCEI

  • UNDRR, “Global Assessment Report (GAR) 2025: Resilience Pays.” UNDRR

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Michelle Weise Michelle Weise

After the Disaster — Community, Faith, and The Path to Healing

Around the world and in many parts of the U.S., we see natural disasters—fires, floods, storms—that leave lasting damage. Loss of life, homes, economic stability. But also, deep wounds of trauma, grief, the question: How do we move forward when so much is shattered?

Around the world and in many parts of the U.S., we see natural disasters—fires, floods, storms—that leave lasting damage. Loss of life, homes, economic stability. But also, deep wounds of trauma, grief, the question: How do we move forward when so much is shattered?

The United Nations’ Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction (GAR 2025) reminds us that while direct disaster costs today are approximately $202 billion annually, when you add up all the ripple effects—health, education, ecosystems—the cost balloons to over $2.3 trillion a year.(UNDRR) Natural disasters disproportionately impact vulnerable and marginalized communities, making recovery harder and slower. (UNDRR)

Healing after disaster is not just about rebuilding walls—it’s about restoring souls, restoring hope.

Disasters Leave Visible and Invisible Wounds

  • Physical destruction is painful, but mental and emotional injuries often remain unseen—trauma, grief, PTSD, loss of safety.

  • Disasters often disrupt social connection: displacement, loss of neighbors, community spirit.

Faith as Balm and Compass

  • Faith gives rituals for grief: communal mourning, remembrance, worship. These are sacred—they acknowledge loss rather than deny it.

  • Stories of restoration, hope, renewal appear in nearly every spiritual lineage. They are guideposts.

  • Belief that even in ravaged places something new can grow—not just physical rebuilding, but relational, communal, spiritual growth.

Mindset of Rebuilding, Not Just Recovering

  • Recovery implies returning to what was; rebuilding allows vision for what could be. Could rebuild stronger, fairer, more resilient.

  • Embrace patience. Healing takes time. Sometimes years. But every small step forward matters.

  • Reject the narrative of helplessness. The fact that people come together, resist despair, work toward restoration—that is powerful.

Wellness as Part of Recovery

  • Mental health care must be accessible: therapy, community support, spaces of safety to share grief.

  • Physical wellness: ensuring clean water, safe shelter, nutrition—basic but often compromised in disaster zones.

  • Spiritual rest and practices that allow pause, reflection: faith communities can be anchors here.

Collective Action, Faith Communities Leading Recovery

  • Local congregations and faith groups often are first to mobilize: caring for the displaced, organizing volunteers, providing emotional support.

  • Mutual aid networks—neighbors helping neighbors—restore dignity and hope.

  • Advocacy for disaster-resilient policies, infrastructure, insurance, climate mitigation.

Takeaway

When everything seems lost, remember: you are not alone. Faith, mindset, and wellness practices anchor not just individuals but whole communities. Healing is possible—even when recovery is long. In the ruins, the seeds of new beginnings can take root.

If recent disasters—literal or personal—feel like too much, let yourself heal.
Download The New Beginnings Mindset Journal to begin rebuilding your inner landscape.
Download Faith over Fear Journal to ground yourself in hope, courage, and the sure belief that light comes after night.

Take the next small step toward healing today.

References

  • United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Global Assessment Report (GAR) 2025: “Resilience Pays: Financing and Investing for our Future.” UNDRR+1

  • NOAA “Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters” data. NCEI

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Michelle Weise Michelle Weise

Facing Financial Strain — How Prioritizing Wellness Can Build Stability and Hope

More and more American families are feeling the squeeze. A recent survey by National Debt Relief, working with Talker Research, found that six in 10 U.S. parents (children ages 0-18) have gone into debt just to cover basic needs for their children—medical care, school supplies, everyday essentials. Meanwhile, another survey from Achieve shows 58% of Americans saying their finances are in crisis.

More and more American families are feeling the squeeze. A recent survey by National Debt Relief, working with Talker Research, found that six in 10 U.S. parents (children ages 0-18) have gone into debt just to cover basic needs for their children—medical care, school supplies, everyday essentials. (National Debt Relief) Meanwhile, another survey from Achieve shows 58% of Americans saying their finances are in crisis. (PR Newswire)

These numbers aren’t abstractions—they mirror sleepless nights, relational stress, shrinking joy. Yet, even in this pressure, we still have tools to claim stability, dignity, and hope.

The Stressors Are Real

  • Debt, soaring costs, inflation, healthcare, housing—these aren’t distant concerns for many. They are daily realities.

  • Financial stress seeps into mental health: anxiety, shame, despair, even guilt about feeling you’re failing your family.

Faith, Hope, and Financial Perspective

  • Faith can offer a perspective beyond scarcity: that your value, your purpose, your loved-ones’ worth are not tied to bank balances.

  • Many traditions teach generosity even in lack, trusting that provision can come in unexpected ways.

  • Trust doesn’t mean passivity—faith is not denial. It means pressing in with trust that action plus belief matters.

Mindset Shift: From Fear to Stewardship

  • What is under your control: budgeting, trimming nonessentials, seeking help, asking questions.

  • Resist comparison culture: what your neighbor or social media friend has may hide struggle; comparison robs peace.

  • See giving—even small—as reclaiming power, reminding ourselves belief in abundance (even in tight times).

Wellness Investments That Pay Dividends

  • Emotional wellness: talk openly about finances with safe people; therapy or faith counseling if needed.

  • Physical wellness: nutrition, rest, exercise—not always expensive, but essential. Your body handles stress better when it’s well cared for.

  • Spiritual wellness: Sabbath or rest rhythms; maybe periods of silence; reading, praying, reflecting.

Practical Steps & Power in Community

  • A financial wellness plan: track income, expenses, set small goals (pay off one debt, save a little).

  • Use community resources: free financial counseling; local charities; support from faith community.

  • Shared meals, carpooling, swapping resources—community living can ease burdens.

Takeaway

Financial strain doesn’t have to steal your peace or erode your faith. Even amid economic uncertainty you can find space to breathe, to act, to trust. Wellness and mindset are not optional extras—they are the foundation that helps you navigate pressure with dignity and hope.

If your finances are weighing heavy on your heart, you don’t have to face it alone.
Download The New Beginnings Mindset Journal to reframe what’s possible even in lack.
Download Faith over Fear Journal to hold fast to hope and prayer when worry whispers.

Take one small step today toward peace.

References

  • National Debt Relief & Talker Research, “The Price of Parenting 2025 Survey.” National Debt Relief+1

  • “Soaring living costs push majority of parents into debt.” Talker Research. Talker Research

  • Achieve survey: “58% of Americans say their finances are in crisis.” PR Newswire

  • Newsweek: “Most Parents Are Going Into Debt to Provide for Their Kids.” Newsweek

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Michelle Weise Michelle Weise

When Division Escalates: How Faith and Mindset Can Anchor Us in Turbulent Times

In recent days, America has been shaken by the news of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist who was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. (AP News) Experts warn his death is part of a growing pattern of political violence that threatens to tip us into deeper division. (Reuters)

It’s easy, when the headlines grow darker, to feel powerless. We may wonder: What can I do? Where do I place my heart when fear feels louder than hope?

In recent days, America has been shaken by the news of the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist who was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University. (AP News) Experts warn his death is part of a growing pattern of political violence that threatens to tip us into deeper division. (Reuters)

It’s easy, when the headlines grow darker, to feel powerless. We may wonder: What can I do? Where do I place my heart when fear feels louder than hope?

I believe there are three things that remind us: faith, mindset, and wellness. They don’t erase our reality, but they anchor us, they empower us to respond rather than react.

Recognizing the Internal Storm

  • When violence enters public life — whether through news, social media, or conversations — we carry a ripple effect inside: anxiety, anger, grief.

  • These emotions are valid. It’s okay to acknowledge feeling unsafe or overwhelmed. Too often, in wanting to be strong, we silence the storm instead of letting it speak.

Faith as Grounding

  • Faith can remind us of truths that outlast headlines: love, compassion, reconciling, hope beyond fear.

  • Whether through prayer, scripture, meditation, or communal worship, these practices are not passive—they shape how we move through fear.

  • When Psalm 46 says “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble,” that means there is a shelter, even amid chaos.

Renewing Mindset: Choosing What to Feed

  • Consider what you consume. Media that amplifies fear, rage, victim vs. villain stories—these can be spiritual toxins. It’s okay to step back.

  • Reframe what feels threatening: sometimes what looks like chaos is an invitation to see what matters more clearly.

  • Cultivate gratitude—not as a denial of pain, but as a counterbalance. Even one moment of peace, one person showing kindness, one breath of stillness—these count.

Prioritizing Wellness as Resistance

  • Physical wellness: sleep, movement, proper nourishment. These are not indulgences—they give your body and mind strength.

  • Emotional wellness: setting boundaries (with social media, conversations, news consumption), allowing yourself rest.

  • Spiritual wellness: rituals, quiet time, listening for stillness.

Small Actions That Restore Power

  • Speak peace in your circles. Sometimes refusing to belittle someone for their views, choosing compassion over winning, creates ripples.

  • Acts of kindness, generosity, hospitality—even small—remind us of our agency.

  • Community involvement: volunteering, supporting groups that promote unity or reconciliation.

  • Shared prayer or meditation for peace, whether publicly or privately.

Takeaway

We are living in a time when the external world feels broken in many places. But our internal world—shaped by faith, choice, and self-care—is not helpless. In fact, it’s the launching pad for change.

When we anchor ourselves in faith, renew our mindset, and actively care for our wellness, we reclaim power: the power to love, the power to hope, the power to act with integrity and courage.

If you feel burdened by fear, overwhelmed by the noise, I invite you to lean into tools that help you reclaim peace.
Download The New Beginnings Mindset Journal to begin shifting what fills your thoughts.
Download Faith over Fear Journal to strengthen faith in action when fear whispers loudly.

You don’t have to wait for perfect circumstances to start. Choose one step today.

References

  • “The Latest: Conservative activist Charlie Kirk is shot and killed while speaking at a Utah college.” AP News. https://apnews.com/article/5e36353d08fdcc5e8edce6e5ec92bc61?utm_source=chatgpt.com

  • “‘Rough road ahead’: Charlie Kirk’s assassination highlights the rise in US political violence.” PolitiFact. https://www.politifact.com/article/2025/sep/11/Charlie-Kirk-Trump-political-violence-guns/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

  • “Addressing political violence to protect American democracy.” Brookings.

    https://www.brookings.edu/articles/political-violence-in-the-us/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

  • “Are political assassinations on the rise? A criminologist weighs in on the shooting death of Charlie Kirk.” Northeastern University. https://news.northeastern.edu/2025/09/11/charlie-kirk-political-violence-rise/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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Michelle Weise Michelle Weise

Friday Reflections: Delayed Does Not Mean Denied

Sometimes, the delay is not punishment—it’s preparation.
God will withhold certain things until your character is ready to carry them. Until your mindset is healed enough to handle them. Until your heart won’t idolize the very thing you prayed for.

Let’s talk about waiting.

Waiting on healing.
Waiting on the right person.
Waiting on the business to take off.
Waiting on doors to open when you’ve knocked and prayed and fasted and cried.

Whew. Waiting will test your faith like nothing else.

There were seasons where I thought the silence meant I’d been forgotten.
But God whispered something into my spirit that changed everything:

“Delayed does not mean denied.”

Sometimes, the delay is not punishment—it’s preparation.
God will withhold certain things until your character is ready to carry them. Until your mindset is healed enough to handle them. Until your heart won’t idolize the very thing you prayed for.

“The vision is for an appointed time... Though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.” – Habakkuk 2:3

If He promised it, He’s going to do it.
But He’s more concerned about who you’re becoming in the waiting than how fast you get there.

The delay is refining you.
Strengthening your faith muscles.
Teaching you patience, trust, and endurance.
Because when it comes, it’s gon’ come big. And you’ll be ready.

📝 Reflect:

  • Are you calling something “denied” when it’s just delayed?

  • What is God teaching you during your waiting season?

🙏🏽 A Short Prayer:

God, help me to trust Your timing even when it doesn’t make sense. Strengthen me in the waiting. Let me not grow weary or bitter, but hopeful and expectant. I know You don’t delay without purpose. Amen.

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