Wildflowers & Worry: How to Renew Your Mind When Anxiety Won’t Quit (with Ruth Chou Simons)

Season 12 of The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast opens with artist and bestselling author Ruth Chou Simons to explore freedom from anxiety. Ruth shares how hiking among Colorado’s wildflowers — and Jesus’ words in Luke 12:27 — helped her recognize the relentless toiling and spinning of anxious thoughts and return to trust in God’s character.

Worry, Anxious Thoughts, and Clinical Anxiety

We name the differences honestly: everyday worry and mental spin, patterns of anxious thinking, and clinical anxiety that can become debilitating. Scripture anchors us in truth, and wise medical or counseling care can be an act of stewardship. Both/and.

A Simple Rhythm for Anxious Moments

1. Stop the cycle and breathe.
2. Notice what you’re thinking/feeling.
3. Replace the lie with biblical truth (Philippians 4:6–7; Lamentations 3:21–24; Matthew 6).
4. Give Thanks — gratitude and worry can’t share the same heart.
5. Act in trust (a small obedient step).

Candace’s Practices That Help

• Scripture first when worry rises (Phil 4, Matt 6).
• A quick “mom talk”: slow breath, reset posture, choose gratitude.
• Consistent movement and device-free walks outside to unclutter thoughts.
  
  

Listener Q&A Highlights

• • How do we stop anxiety in our minds? Renew your mind moment-by-moment; take every thought captive (2 Cor 10:5).
  • What helps on a bad day? Start with gratitude — even something small.
  • One daily mental-health habit? Walk device-free; or get your sweat + Scripture in.

Free Advent Guide

We’re sharing a free Advent Guide adapted from Ruth’s devotional Emmanuel to help you experience the presence of Jesus during the holidays with peace, not pressure.

Download the free Advent Guide — Candace.com

Ask your question for this season — Candace.com

Join the Together community — Candace.com/together