Good Morning My Friends! Monday mornings can be difficult for many people. Ever heard of the Monday morning brain? We tend to blame our brains for all unfortunate things that we do on Monday morning. Guess what? Our brain is actually an incredibly powerful organ and by refraining from fear and embracing gratitude, we can actually help our brains rewire and become happy.
Recently I attended the Set Apart Conference at the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, MN. Keynote speaker, Susie Larson, (by the way, she’s one of my favorite Christian authors and speakers) shared about the effects of fear and gratitude on our brains and the impact this has on our overall wellbeing, including our soul.
For years, I’ve been intrigued by this concept, but I was fascinated to learn what neuroscience has more recently discovered regarding the connection between fear and gratitude and their effects on us.
I don’t have time this morning to unpack all the neuroscience research and results, but I want to share some basics with you so that you can learn about the benefits of embracing gratitude and refraining from fear.
Our Brains and Bodies on Fear:
Fear is a human emotion. Yet, fear can ruin our wellbeing. Here’s just a few things that fear does:
- Weakens our immune system
- Causes gastrointestinal problems
- Decreases fertility
- Impairs memory
- Causes fatigue and clinical depression
- Negatively impacts our thinking and decision-making
And that’s not all. The brain stores all this stuff. It remembers your fears. No wonder God tells us so many times not to fear.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, NIV).
We need to break this cycle of fear. We can do that with gratitude!
Our Brains and Bodies on Gratitude:
Researchers have found that gratitude can help you exercise more, sleep better, and be happier. They’ve also discovered gratitude is associated with:
- Less depression
- Lowered anxiety
- Fewer aches and pains
They discovered keeping gratitude journals showed greater increases in determination, attention, enthusiasm, and energy.
Now, who doesn’t want all that? I know I’d love to.
God wants us be well. I believe that’s one reason He tells us so many times in the Bible to give thanks.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV).
God’s desire is for us to give thanks. He knows what impact gratitude will have on our brains, our health, and our souls.
Practical Application
What we intentionally think about absolutely effects our health and wellbeing. So how do we get started refraining from fear and embracing gratitude?
First of all, I think we just need to say, “NO!” to fear. When you start to be afraid, just stop right there and say, “NO fear! I’m not going to be afraid. God says I don’t have to be afraid. He will help me!”
Second, I think we need to start practicing some things to help us concentrate on gratitude. Here are just a few things you can do:
- Read the Psalms – The Psalms are filled with words of thanksgiving. Read one every morning.
- Start a gratitude journal – Get a notebook or special journal and start writing down the things you are grateful for.
- Start a happiness journal – Okay, my friend Gail gave me the coolest gift. She gave me a happiness journal, and I love it! When it’s all filled up, it looks like the sun! Now that will brighten your brain! If you want to purchase one, just click here: 101 Smiles Makes a Sunshine.
Finally, if you’re interested in learning more about neuroscience and the effects of what we think about, check out Switch on Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf. It’s pretty fascinating stuff.
Just for Today
Refrain from Fear. Embrace Gratitude!
I have kept a ‘gratitude and blessings’ journal for year. Makes a huge difference. I also keep a ‘humor’ journal–where I write down things that people say that I think are funny. Especially funny (although sometimes only to the people present at the time of initial conversation) when taken out of context. Here’s one for you–“My heart races when the mouse is laying on my heart” (said by someone who was having their pacemaker check done remotely by phone where you lay computer type mouse over the pacemaker and dial in. Great to have these tools to change brain chemistry!!
Riley, I know what you mean about things people say when taken out of context being hilarious! They do bring laughter! Thanks for sharing the mouse story! 🙂
Michelle, you’ve piqued my interest about that book. I’ve never heard the physical effects of fear outlined like that before. That makes a lot of sense! Too many years I’ve known those effects firsthand. Thank God for His grace! I have a gratitude journal. Thanks for reminding me to write in it. 🙂
Pearl, I know! It’s crazy all the physical manifestations that fear implodes in us! Yikes! I’m so glad God has been teaching me through others’ research and their stories about this. I really like the 101 Smiles book I have. I don’t yet have it filled out, but it’s beginning to look like sunshine! 🙂