Glory to God, 2024 is here!
Well, it is going to be an exciting year for all of us, and I want to wish all of my readers a prosperous year.
We will be starting from where we stopped last year, exploring the characteristics of the fruit of the spirit. And what a way to start the year knowing that all things have been sorted and settled!
All the chaos, worries, and tensions can now be relieved. The high hopes and pressures can now be dissolved.
However, what causes chaos, worry, and unrest?
From outside in. The environmental factor
First of all, the beginning of the year hurdle.
Next, the environment, encompassing various facets like physical, natural, social, economic, political, educational, health, and technological elements, plays a pivotal role in affecting individual and collective peace.
Safety and security in one's surroundings, influenced by factors such as crime rates and infrastructure, significantly impact the sense of peace.
Similarly, the natural environment, including climate conditions and the occurrence of disasters, can disrupt communities, leading to stress, displacement, and a loss of peace. Social cohesion within communities, economic stability, effective governance, educational opportunities, access to healthcare, and the flow of information through technology all contribute to the overall peace and well-being of individuals.
Why do we get so anxious and fearful?
The answer is simple: we remember and we forget.
Why does that matter?
From the inside out, know your brain (simplified science):
In the 1930s, neuroscientists Heinrich Kluver and Paul Bucy removed a monkey's amygdala, making it indifferent to fear-inducing stimuli.
The amygdala, which is responsible for processing fear, is part of the brain's emotional and behavioural regulation. Information about frightening events travels from the thalamus (in English: the vehicle to relay motor and sensory signals) to the amygdala before the cerebral cortex (in English: the part of the brain that aids consciousness), initiating a rapid, reflexive response before conscious decision-making. Just like the reaction a person makes when they see an object that looks like a snake. Without thinking, they always run.
An experiment was conducted on a rat using a taser and a sound system. To condition the rat, the scientist would make a tone with the sound system and shock the rat. After repeated pairings of the tone and a shock, the rat learned to associate the tone with the impending taser shock. Even when the taser was rendered non-functional, upon hearing the tone, the rat would scamper out of fear and exhibit avoidance behaviours, illustrating the enduring impact of the learned association.
To conclude the experiment, the rat's amygdala was affected. Subsequently, when the tone was played near the rat, it no longer reacted. Even with an increase in volume, the rat heard the tone but did not exhibit fear, as it could no longer associate it with any potential harm and went about its activities unfazed. Damage to the amygdala can disrupt fear responses, as seen in experiments with rats.
Fear is a response to a present threat. Anxiety involves considering potential threats as negative emotions become associated with specific events, fostering worry and chaos.
Peace of mind = forgetting and remembering the right things.
Peace, just like joy, is a state of mind. And like every fruit of the Spirit, they are all influenced by a spiritual source: the Holy Spirit. So even though the art of forgetting and remembering is merely a human endeavour, we need the influence of the Holy Spirit to feel at peace.
To be at peace is to have a restful conscience. Peace of mind has nothing to worry about or fear. It is a product of Godfidence. A mind that is not touched by the troubles of the world. It is more like an indifferent trait. A peaceful mind has the best relationships. This is possible because they can discern what is for them and what is not. Things don’t just move them anyhow. But she is confident that no matter how stormy it gets, it is just noise—all bark and no bite. Better still, you have enough faith in the Jesus that is in your boat.
Why is this possible?
Because you can remember His promises and testimonies. The Bible, as well as the testimonies of believers around you, attest to the fact that God has a track record of goodness. Moreover, your amygdala has been influenced when you encounter the holy spirit and meditate on the scriptures. You now know and believe that the devil is defeated by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Whenever there is a seeming disturbance in the atmosphere or your mind, you simply go about your business because you no longer associate the devil's antics with having any effect on your life.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest… Learn of me…for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28–30 KJV
I used to be a worrier. I always have a disturbed spirit. Scared of slipping up again. It gets better for a while. I find happiness in the little things. It takes my mind off the troubles for a while, but deep down, I know there’s unrest.
However, it gets better now. I found a friend in Jesus. Someone who has, can, and will shut down every possible threat from the enemy.
So in conclusion, the songwriter Joseph M. Scriven puts it beautifully,
What a friend we have in Jesus!
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit?
O what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Take it to the Lord in prayer
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness
Take it to the Lord in prayer
The beginning of the year is always filled with expectations. We are burdened with the urge to deliver. Family, work, and life in general put so much pressure on us to come up with the best strategy possible to outdo the previous year. These things don’t come easy. The burden is always heavier than we can carry on our own.
However, there is an invitation of rest, ease and peace of mind awaiting you at Jesus’ feet. The big question is: would you grab it before 2024 goes any further?
Happy New Year to you all once again!
See you on the next one, blessings ⚡