Connecting the Dots...

Believing the Truth so that we can know (John 6:69).

11/21/2024 4:17:07 AM

Combating Anxiety

7/24/2017

Recent studies have looked into the benefits of meditation and its stress reducing impact on the mind.  These studies have covered a broad spectrum of individuals and people groups both young and old. Because of the favorable relationship between meditative practices and inner peace, entrepreneurs are cashing in on what is being termed as “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction” (Willoughby Britton, prof. of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University). As of today, nearly 1,000 meditation apps (e.g. Headspace, Calm, etc.) along with meditative therapy, contemplative courses, retreats and businesses resembling fitness clubs for the mind have created a $1.1 billion meditation and mindfulness industry.

It is easy to see how any practice that requires us to temporarily unplug from technology, calm our bodies, clear our minds and simply exhale… would be beneficial. But should we be concerned with the acceleration of the commercialized version of spiritual practices? Consider the following:

What if a human being is more than just body and psyche? From a biblical standpoint, humanity is made in the image of God. This God is revealed as the Three-in-One - Trinity. He is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it would make sense that those made in his likeness would also be three-in-one. The Bible, indeed, confirms this (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Instead of just being body and psyche, mankind is actually body, psyche (soul) and spirit. And please note this, it’s not that you have a spirit. You actually are a spirit. To neglect this component of identity is a huge mistake when it comes to overall wellness.

So, when it comes to reducing anxiety, I would like to propose that you consider physical, psychological and spiritual issues. The tool the Bible offers to bridge all three of these human components is faith. Yes, that’s right, faith. You may not know this, but the Bible teaches that faith, when it is practiced correctly, ignites the power of Divine grace. This grace has the power to heal physically, renew mentally and liberate spiritually. Anxiety doesn’t stand a chance against grace.

In the days ahead, Resolutions Counseling will be offering some free perspectives on reducing anxiety and stress by exercising faith in a way that takes the benefits of meditation to the next level. Make sure you keep an eye out on the news feed, or better yet, subscribe to the RSS feed or follow me on Twitter.  We are here to help.      -Chris Campbell