James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God,…
Interestingly, research done at the National Institute of Mental Health found that oxytocin, the “warm fuzzy” hormone which is also sometimes called the “trust hormone”, negates fear. Oxytocin actually inhibits the activity in the part of the brain that is responsible for fear (the amygdala). * The Lord created our brains so wonderfully, do you…
You might say “But I have a chemical imbalance!”. Of course you do! That is not even in question! Remember, the Lord created humans. The Lord created the human body and mind to run on chemicals. Every thought, action, or sensation that we experience changes the very chemistry in our brains and bodies. That is…
Romans 3: 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. NIV Now we have to…
You might think “I am saved, why is this happening to me? Was it something I did? Was it something I did not do? Why would this happen when I love the Lord so much?”. I totally understand that pain! How much I know that anguish of your heart! That frustration, that anger, that soulful…
The final means by which we have succumbed to these afflictions is by spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:10-12 clearly tells us who our enemy is—“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle…
Now let’s look at the mental means by which we have come to this state. Every sentient human has the ability to control what he or she thinks. It is not always easy, but it is possible. We who have chronic anxiety, OCD, and I think even depression, have developed destructive mental habits. We have…
First, let’s discuss the bio-chemical means that this happens. The mechanics of it are still a question to science, but the theory is that there is a problem with the serotonin levels in the brain. Most of the medicines used to treat this are SSRI’s—selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors. They balance the levels of serotonin in…
We know that people with anxiety disorders, specifically OCD, tend to have a very high moral code. They tend to be perfectionists in at least some parts of their lives. In some instances this serves people well. A high moral code gives one guidance and provides an excellent background for society. Being perfectionists can be…
So what do we do first? How can we get the most from the healing that the Lord has for us? First we must prepare our bodies, minds, hearts, and spirits. We have to be willing to let God work. If we want total healing, we have to be ready to totally let go of…
