Thank you

DeAnna Willman photo Hanni Naiboho @unsplash

So, then, pray like this… Matthew 6:9

Last post we began looking into things that will heal the mind and brain. It was a long post, but it gave you 5 ways to start healing in the mind-brain-body connection. How much sleep did you CHOOSE to get each night this past week? How often did you CHOOSE to intentionally rest your mind and brain during the day? What did you experience while practicing rest? How much did you intentionally CHOOSE to meditate upon those things God instructed us to think upon or remember? With whom did you CHOOSE to practice empathy? How much did you CHOOSE to laugh? I hope that you were able to begin implementing those five healers into your life, mind, and brain and finding positive results. HalleluYah! Our God be praised!

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1

O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth. Psalm 54:2

…pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Prayer is the intentional and mindful communication with our God and Father. It was always His desire that His people would communicate with Him. He personally met with Adam and Eve within the garden each evening. Yet, they disobeyed and were cast out of the intimacy. He came down onto the mountain to communicate with the Hebrews, but they chose instead of direct communication to have Moses mediate between them and God. But in Scripture we continue to see where God personally communicated with His people and they communicated with Him. In the Psalms we are given a whole book devoted to the prayers of King David, Moses, Asaph, and the sons of Korah. Much of it was put to music, but it was direct and intentional communication with God. In the life of Nehemiah and in the life of Yeshua we have modeled for us the importance of prayer. Each one went to prayer when faced with a situation or decision. Neither acted without first communicating with our Father YHWH. Both turned to prayer when under stress or in need. But how does prayer affect us in the mind and body?

There are over 1200 studies that reveal that overall health and longevity of a person is directly linked to intentional prayer. Prayer stimulates the brain to release chemicals and energy that engage the vagus nerve within the body. This is the nerve connected to every organ system in the body and where the parasympathetic nervous system operates. When the vagus nerve is stimulated, the body goes into rest and recovery, even healing. We talked before how this lowers blood pressure, opens up veins and arteries, allows better blood flow and oxygen transport, and relieves stress. It allows for better decision making and creativity. This is obviously good for both brain and body. Prayer reminds us to seek out God and His desire in situations. Prayer helps us rest in the middle of life’s activities. Studies have also shown that praying for others will increase your own healing 68%. A popular phrase back in the 80’s was “What would Jesus do?” Jesus CHOSE to regularly take time to pray. How much more do we need to take the time to be in communication with our Father?!

Shout for joy in YHWH, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Psalm 33:1

Praise YHWH! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and a song of praise is fitting. Psalm 147:1

Through him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. Hebrews 13:15

Praise is another help for the healing and shaping of the brain and mind. Praise activates the frontal lobe, increasing discernment and wiser decision making, increases delayed gratification, and after a praise session emotional stability increases by 86% according to scientific studies. It engages the vagus nerve through singing or speaking your praise. Networks in the brain grow, and when praising God in community, our hearts beat begin to beat in unison. We are commanded to praise God, even with dance and instruments. But, the choice is yours. Will you praise or will you complain?

Let them thank YHWH for His steadfast love, for His wonderous works to the children of man! Let them extol Him in the congregation of the people and praise Him in the assembly of the elders. Psalm 107:8,15,21, 31

For is you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-5

Gratitude and Forgiveness are life giving to the one who practices them. Science continues to prove that both gratitude and forgiveness increase immunity. They also increase serotonin levels (the feel good chemical) which increases well-being, better resilience, and better decision making. When practiced, gratitude and forgiveness put the body into the rest and recovery mode. They allow healing chemicals and energy to flow throughout the body, especially when verbally spoken. They by nature inhibit negative thoughts. These virtues also cause the release of oxytocin for a stronger bonding with the one with whom we practice these virtues. Is it any wonder that God commanded us to practice them? Will you choose to give thanks and be grateful? Will you choose to forgive and seek forgiveness?

All these things are truly beneficial to the brain, which in turn benefits the body. But, it continues to come back to the mind. The mind must make the conscious decision to practice these helpers. Otherwise, this information will do you no good. There will be consequences whatever choice you make. This week I hope you will CHOOSE to take time for communication with our Father and CHOOSE to pray for others as well in your time of communion with Him. Bear their burdens up to the throne of our King. CHOOSE to belt out that praise He deserves and that fills your heart when you think about Him and all He has done! Rejoice in what He does for others! CHOOSE to say things like “thank you”, “I appreciate you”, “When you did….it blessed me”. Be mindfully verbal about your gratitude. And CHOOSE to forgive others and to seek forgiveness from others and God.

As we mindfully look for ways and times that we can practice these thoughts and attitudes, our brains will heal. New thoughts will form in our minds and grow stronger replacing old unwanted thoughts. Take note of the difference in yourself, your week, and in those around you as you put these brain helpers into practice. I pray you are choosing to put this information to good use and seeing the benefits in your mind, your body, your health, and even in your relationships! HalleluYah! Keep choosing to move forward.

Until next time...

So we do not lose heart. Though out outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day… For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Cor 4:16-18