Understanding this one concept has the capacity to transform your health a Christian woman:

“Worry” does not just occur in your mind + Spirit, it also occurs in your physical body.

Worry is a “felt sense.” Due to many well meaning Christians having a poor theology of the human body, they often deny this felt sense and try to tell themselves “do not to worry.” Which only addresses the mind, without considering what is occurring in their physiology.

This often results in constant rumination, fear, numbing behaviors or shame when they get stuck in a worry cycle.

There is a difference between head knowledge and an integrated/ embodied faith.

Head knowledge simply memorizes scripture (which yes, is essential).

But memorizing Scripture without applying + integrating it makes us hearers of the word, and not doers. Which we are warned not to be in the book of James.

When we are hearers of the word only, we read scriptures that say, “do not worry,” then attempt to simply tell ourselves (and others) not to worry, then end up discouraged or doubtful when it does not work.

But here is the missing component here:

Worry starts in your brain + Spirit, but influences your entire physiology.

When you worry, your hypothalamus sets off an alarm system + your adrenal glands secrete stress hormones. Your muscles tense in preparation for action, and your blood pressure + heart rate increases. This is why telling yourself not to worry, without taking your body into consideration doesn’t work.

Peace on the other hand, also influences our physiology.

Peace has the capacity to calm our nervous system, lower stress hormones, + reduce blood pressure.

But Biblical peace is not just something that occurs in our mind when we read, it is a felt sense, meaning it influences our physiology.

The peace described in Scripture is not just something you “memorize.” It is a felt sense that has the capacity to put a pause on your physiological tendency to turn to rumination + worry. It creates a quietness in your soul.

It is a peace that surpasses all understanding

(Philippians 4:5-7).

It begins with knowledge, but it should progress into wisdom + integration.

Here is a tip for overcoming worry + cultivating a biblical felt sense of peace:

When you worry, notice what happens in your physical body:

Where do you tense up most?

What is the felt internal sensations + experience of worry like for you? What does it physically feel like when you release worry?

Next, bring to light a moment when you felt most at peace. Where do you notice the felt sense of peace in your body?

What internal sensations do you notice? Simply becoming aware of the difference between the two is a great first step. Next is learning what you need to move from worry to peace.

If this feels strange for you, you likely need to spend time building up your interoception because you are disconnected from your physical body.

Want to learn more about how to connect deeper with your physical body? Check out our 12 week inner healing program Aligned + Renewed.