I am an expert on worry.
My grandma worried. A lot. As her dementia took a stronger hold, the needle on her anxiety scale cret higher and higher to the maximum level.
I, being my grandmother’s granddaughter, inherited the worry wart gene. As far back as I can remember, I was anxious.
Even today, despite my boasts about being in control of my emotions, I have my moments.
With all the uncertainties of caregiving, it can be challenging to overcome worry. It can feel like we put a tremendous amount of energy keeping our anxiety at bay.
It doesn’t matter whether you just went through your caregiver hazing or you’re further down the road, completely entrenched in caregiving, it’s easy to find ourselves paralyzed by anxiety. This crippling fear is only intensified by factors like how prepared we were to care, the complexity of our family history, and how rocky our caregiving journey has been.
I’m not really sure how to get into this, so I’ll just come right out and say it.
If you believe in Jesus, then worry is an oxymoron.
If you’re going to survive caregiving, you have to learn how to release your troubles to God.
Below, please find a prayer and a few Bible verses that gave me comfort and reminded me that God is always in control while I was caring for my grandma.
A Prayer for Caregivers
You can pray this prayer or tell the Heavenly Father whatever is on your heart.
Lord, please forgive me for doubting you. I know you are in control and I trust in your plan for our lives. Help me to remember you always have my back. Thank you and I love you. Amen.
Scripture
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 NIV
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 NJKV
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;”
Psalms 34:17-19 NIV
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 HCSB
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.””
Psalms 147:3-5 ESV
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:3-6 NIV
“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Psalms 55:22 ESV
Matthew 6:25-34
25 I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?
27 Can worry make you live longer? 28 Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. 29 But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth[b] wasn’t as well clothed as one of them. 30 God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?
31 Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” 32 Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. 33 But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.34 Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.
What verses would you add? I’d love to hear from you. Drop your favorites in the comments below 💬👇🏽😘
