“The more you pray, the less you'll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You'll feel more patient and less pressured.”
― Rick Warren, The Purpose of Christmas
15While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him: 16“Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city—words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. 17But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. 18I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.’ ”(33:1-3)JEREMIAH 38-39
HEBREWS 1
1In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
JOURNAL
Being obedient to God is such a logical choice. Yet time and time again people in the Bible refuse to obey. Here I sit reading the text and it seems so simple. God tells them a certain path to follow and they refuse. Yet it is much easier said than done. The reason is that when I sit and watch a movie or read a book or the Bible, I am in a calm, comfortable place. Emotionally, physically etc. It is easy to make wise logical choices when I am in this state of being.
Scientifically it has been proven that stress and anxiety actually cause the logical, reasonable parts of our brain to shut down. Stress causes our vessels to shrink and our blood doesn't flow to certain parts of our brain thereby flooding the ones that control our physical movements. We become restless and ready to run or fight. It is not only in stressful situations that this happens, it can and does happen in the normal every day flow of life and I find that this is exactly what happens in my own mind. I also see it in my students.
As a result we don't think well...we are in survival mode. What is amazing about this is that it actually is possible to hit a pause button. God actually gives us the ability to override this automatic response system. When we do so...the vessels relax, blood flows back in normal amounts to our full brain and we can then think calmly and make better decisions.
The more I engage in meditative prayer and spend time reading and understanding God...the better I get at pausing the automatic responses and seeking his wisdom. By doing so I am able to remain calm in situations that feel threatening and actually can learn to be calm and trust God. This is amazing, but so incredibly true to scripture and modern psychology. The fact that we can actually step outside of our circumstances in our minds and calm down the body and the mind is proof that there is another dimension to our brains and bodies that is beyond the physical...it is the spiritual.
Scientifically it has been proven that stress and anxiety actually cause the logical, reasonable parts of our brain to shut down. Stress causes our vessels to shrink and our blood doesn't flow to certain parts of our brain thereby flooding the ones that control our physical movements. We become restless and ready to run or fight. It is not only in stressful situations that this happens, it can and does happen in the normal every day flow of life and I find that this is exactly what happens in my own mind. I also see it in my students.
As a result we don't think well...we are in survival mode. What is amazing about this is that it actually is possible to hit a pause button. God actually gives us the ability to override this automatic response system. When we do so...the vessels relax, blood flows back in normal amounts to our full brain and we can then think calmly and make better decisions.
The more I engage in meditative prayer and spend time reading and understanding God...the better I get at pausing the automatic responses and seeking his wisdom. By doing so I am able to remain calm in situations that feel threatening and actually can learn to be calm and trust God. This is amazing, but so incredibly true to scripture and modern psychology. The fact that we can actually step outside of our circumstances in our minds and calm down the body and the mind is proof that there is another dimension to our brains and bodies that is beyond the physical...it is the spiritual.
13Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
ECCLESIASTES 12:13
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