Letting Go of Worry
Pearls of Promise founder Lisa Burkhardt Worley is preparing for back-to-back women’s conferences so this week we are re-publishing some of our “best of” devotions. This devotion originally ran on April 1, 2014 but is a timeless reminder about worry. We will be back on Tuesday, February 2nd with a whole new devotional series.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Do you have the worry gene?
In 2007, Yale released findings that there actually is a worry gene. Researchers at Yale identified a gene mutation for “rumination” — the kind of chronic worry in which people obsess over negative thoughts. It’s a variation of a gene known as BDNF that’s active in the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved in thinking and memory. In a study of 200 mothers and daughters published in the journal Neuroscience Letters, the Yale scientists found that those who had been depressed in their youth were more likely to be ruminators and to have this particular variation of BDNF.
When I read that, I was convinced I had the worry gene. My grandmother was a chronic worrier. She never smiled in photos, probably because she was worrying! There were very few things I could tell her that would not launch her into a fretting state. I think it was her love language.
Over the years, I had labeled it being “analytical,” but plain and simple, I also worried about too many things. I had a tendency to rehash scenarios, had angst about the future and worried about other people.
But this past year, I made a breakthrough that I think will help you.
I gave everything to God daily in prayer and did not take it back.
Kids
Husband
Schedule
Ministry
Relationships
Years ago, I surrendered my life to Christ, but it did not seem to help me with my worry habit. When I daily surrender, it’s totally different.
When we give our concerns to God in the morning, then whatever happens is on God and we have to trust that it’s his will.
I pray before any event I attend now. I ask God to help me connect with who he wants me to meet. There are often women at a ministry event I thought I wanted to connect with, but if it doesn’t happen, I don’t sweat it.
Lifting family members up is critical. When we give them over to God, we won’t worry about the possible car accident that might occur while they are out. We won’t mull over what they may or may not be doing.
God has them, and it’s freeing!
So, it’s taken me a long time, but I finally understand Philippians 4:6-7.
When we pray about everything in our lives and give everything over to God every day, there is a peace that passes all understanding. The only place this peace could possibly come from is God, He is the only one who has the ability to transform a person who is genetically predisposed to worry to a non-worrier. Thank you for healing in this area.
Will you pray with me?
Lord, we all have a tendency to worry about our lives. Our families, our activities and our health can all be major concerns. Today we give it all to you. Guide our steps. Protect our families. We pray that anyone we come into contact with today is exactly who you wanted us to run into. We pray you will provide us with the friendships you desire for us. We pray you will use us to glorify you in some way today and we pray to feel your peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus name, AMEN.