What’s better Today, friend? Gather with me as we navigate the challenging journey of life’s storms—a journey where stress and anxiety swirl like tempests upon the sea of our minds. Yet, even amidst these gales, there is a lighthouse of understanding to guide us safely into the harbour of peace.
Watch the Video - a whiteboard animation of the neuroscience of Stress and Anxiety in your brain. Also available on Substack Here
The Scriptures remind us, not once, not twice, but 365 times, to "fear not." Like manna from heaven, this reassuring command meets us daily, a testament to God's profound understanding of our human condition. In a world where fears multiply like the grains of sand upon the shore, "Be anxious for nothing," He whispers gently through the pages of Philippians 4:6.
God, in His infinite wisdom, fashioned our brains with a purpose: to protect, to survive, to keep us "not dead." Our fear response—the instinctual dance of freeze, flight, or fight—is a gift, yet it can become a burden when left unchecked. As my skittish, perpetually anxious rescue dog reminds me daily. So why, one might ask, did the Creator bestow upon us such a mechanism, only to then call us to "fear not"? In His divine love, He gave us something more—a mind capable of choosing trust over trepidation, faith over fear. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart," advises Proverbs 3:5.
Yet, there exists a moment, a fleeting heartbeat, where our choice struggles to catch up with our instinct. We are called to discern, to gently coax our courageous heart to cast anxieties upon Him, as 1 Peter 5:7 invites us: "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
Imagine, if you will, the Thalamus, standing like an alert receptionist at the lobby of incoming sight and sound, orchestrating the grand symphony of sensory experiences. This is where our journey begins, leading us through the terrain of the Cortex, where meaning breathes life into raw perceptions. The steadfast Prefrontal Cortex quiets the clamorous echoes of anxiety after the storm has passed, reminding us that "He will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast," as Isaiah 26:3 promises.
Deep within lies the Amygdala, the watchful guardian of our emotions, ever ready to sound the alarm of fear. The colourful tableau of life is painted with emotional hues, each brushstroke crafted by these intricate processes. The Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminals keeps the vigilant watch, sustaining echoes of fear long past their time.
In the whirlwinds of anxiety, the Locus Coeruleus stirs our hearts to race and our senses to sharpen. Meanwhile, the Hippocampus, our keeper of memories, stores both the bitter and the sweet. The senses deliver their messages to the Thalamus, with some bypassing the formalities and heading straight for the Amygdala, setting memories ablaze like a morning sun upon the horizon.
In the grip of fear, the Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland call forth the adrenal forces, releasing Cortisol to the scene. This stress hormone, when unchecked, becomes a thief, stealing the clarity of our memories and leaving behind only fragments.
Our journey continues as the Sympathetic Nervous System takes command, navigating us through turbulent waters. The body readies itself for battle or flight, with adrenaline coursing like a river through its veins. Yet, in this storm, remember the gentle words of Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God."
Fear is not the enemy, dear friend. It is a wise guide, safeguarding our passage. Anxiety, however, is the shadow without substance, fuelled by past echoes and incomplete memories. But take heart, for you are not alone. By understanding this inner dance, we can harness the light of our Prefrontal Cortex, gently lowering the volume of misplaced fear, and ushering in a peace that surpasses understanding, as Philippians 4:7 declares.
So take a deep breath, and as you traverse life’s tumultuous seas, remember this: within you is a beacon—a calm centre, a divine presence ready to guide you home through every shadow and storm. For He who calms the storm with a word is with you always, even unto the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
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