S12.01 | What You Treasure Is Shaping Your Mental Health (Matthew 6 Reflection)
Welcome to Season 12! In this episode - inspired by Matthew 6, - we look at a statementJesus makes: the heart follows the treasure—not the other way around.
Join Carla as she explores how anxiety, people-pleasing, and perfectionism may not be personal failures, but signals of misplaced treasure. Through scripture, reflection, and practical insight, we look at how re-orienting our lives toward kingdom treasure can bring greater emotional freedom, peace, and rest.
Did you know that Carla is a Christian Mental Health coach?
See if working with her is what you need in your current season.
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3 key takeaways
The heart is not the problem—it’s the follower.
Our emotional patterns often reveal what we’ve been treasuring, not what’s wrong with us.Many common struggles are signals, not failures.
People-pleasing, perfectionism, and anxiety can point to misplaced treasure rather than personal weakness.When the treasure shifts, the heart follows.
Re-orienting toward God’s approval, faithfulness, and trust brings greater emotional freedom and rest🔗 Want to Go Deeper?
If you’re recognizing yourself in this conversation—if anxiety, people-pleasing, or perfectionism feel deeply tied to what you’ve been treasuring—you don’t have to untangle that alone.
In my 1:1 coaching, we gently explore what has shaped your inner world: the beliefs you’ve been living from, the patterns your nervous system has learned, and how faith, psychology, and somatic awareness work together in real, lasting healing. This isn’t about trying harder or becoming “more disciplined spiritually.” It’s about re-orienting your life toward truth, safety, and freedom—one faithful step at a time.
If you’re ready to do this work in a personal, supported way, you can learn more about my 1:1 coaching and Book a FREE Discovery call
Connect With Carla:
Foundations to Healing—-> https://www.carlaarges.com/foundations-of-healing
Inquire about 1:1 coaching ---> Book a FREE Discovery call
Come hangout on IG with me @carlaarges
Check out the blog
Resources:
5 Steps to Building Resiliency
Affirming Truths Facebook Community
5 Tips for Overcoming a Negative Body Image
Who You Say I Am Biblical Affirmation Cards
Quick recap
Carla discussed a shift in her podcast episode to focus on spiritual aspects of mental health, particularly exploring how Jesus' teachings about treasure and the heart can provide new perspectives on anxiety and overfunctioning. She explained how various socially acceptable treasures like approval and competence can lead to mental health struggles when they become primary focuses, and how kingdom treasure offers a different path centered on God's approval rather than human applause. Carla emphasized that while transforming one's heart is a gradual process, Jesus' invitation to examine what one treasures can lead to a more fulfilling and peaceful life through intentional decisions and honest self-reflection.
Treasure and the Heart's Message
Carla discussed a shift in her planned podcast episode to focus on a message inspired by her personal Bible study, particularly the verse in Matthew 6:21 about the relationship between treasure and the heart. She emphasized that while mental health struggles are often rooted in neurological and traumatic development, there is also a spiritual component that cannot be ignored. Carla explained that Jesus' words suggest the heart follows what it treasures, offering a new perspective on why people might struggle with anxiety, criticism, and overfunctioning.
Misaligned Treasures and Mental Health
Carla discussed how subtle and socially acceptable treasures, such as approval, competence, validation, status, control, and safety, can lead to mental health struggles when they become primary focuses. She emphasized that while not all mental health issues can be spiritualized, some struggles may stem from misaligned treasures, causing anxiety, burnout, and fear of disappointment. Carla highlighted that Jesus offers these treasures as a diagnostic tool to help individuals understand their true motivations and find satisfaction in Christ alone.
Finding True Kingdom Treasure
Carla discussed the concept of kingdom treasure, emphasizing that it involves orienting one's life around God's approval rather than human applause or performance. She explained that true treasure is found in quiet faithfulness, trust, and presence, rather than in external achievements or people-pleasing. Carla highlighted that when one's treasure shifts to God's approval, anxiety decreases, burnout loses its power, and the heart follows God's guidance, leading to a more fulfilling and peaceful life.
Transforming the Heart's Devotion
Carla discussed the process of transforming one's heart through intentional decisions and honest self-reflection, emphasizing that this is a gradual journey rather than an overnight change. She highlighted that Jesus' invitation to examine what one treasures is not meant to shame but to encourage a reevaluation of what truly aligns with kingdom values. Carla encouraged listeners to consider what their hearts have been following and to ensure that these pursuits are worthy of their devotion.
Redirecting Hearts to Kingdom Treasure
Carla discussed the concept of investing in kingdom treasure, emphasizing that where our treasure is, our heart will follow. She explained that emotional struggles among Christian women often stem from treasuring the wrong things, but with God, the heart can be reoriented to follow a new treasure. Carla shared her affirming truth that the heart is not fixed and can be redirected, and her anchoring scripture from Matthew 6:33, encouraging listeners to seek God's kingdom first.