1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:08,240 Speaker 1: Life Audio. What if I told you that fear doesn't 2 00:00:08,440 --> 00:00:12,830 Speaker 1: just affect your emotions? It actually changes your brain. What 3 00:00:12,890 --> 00:00:16,650 Speaker 1: if the reason you keep replaying worst case scenarios, struggle 4 00:00:16,690 --> 00:00:21,770 Speaker 1: to make decisions, avoid opportunities, or feel constantly on edge 5 00:00:22,130 --> 00:00:26,009 Speaker 1: isn't because you're weak or lacking faith, but because fear 6 00:00:26,210 --> 00:00:31,520 Speaker 1: has been quietly reshaping the way your brain processes information? 7 00:00:32,050 --> 00:00:34,150 Speaker 1: The truth is that fear is one of the most 8 00:00:34,229 --> 00:00:38,650 Speaker 1: powerful forces affecting our thoughts, our bodies, our relationships, and 9 00:00:38,909 --> 00:00:42,800 Speaker 1: even our spiritual lives. Fear can convince us that danger 10 00:00:42,860 --> 00:00:47,000 Speaker 1: is everywhere. It can cause us to expect rejection before 11 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:51,360 Speaker 1: it happens, assume failure before we've even tried, and imagine 12 00:00:51,420 --> 00:00:57,830 Speaker 1: catastrophe where God has already prepared provision. Yet, scripture repeatedly 13 00:00:57,870 --> 00:01:01,860 Speaker 1: tells us, do not fear. Why would God command us 14 00:01:02,180 --> 00:01:04,940 Speaker 1: not to fear unless he also provided a way to 15 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:07,940 Speaker 1: overcome it? Today, we're going to explore what fear does 16 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:11,679 Speaker 1: to the brain from a neuroscience perspective, why fear becomes 17 00:01:11,700 --> 00:01:15,220 Speaker 1: so difficult to break free from, and how faith literally 18 00:01:15,300 --> 00:01:20,530 Speaker 1: helps retrain the brain toward peace, courage, confidence, and hope. 19 00:01:20,690 --> 00:01:24,090 Speaker 1: If you've ever felt trapped by anxiety, overwhelmed by worry, 20 00:01:24,450 --> 00:01:27,850 Speaker 1: or exhausted from carrying the weight of fear, today's episode 21 00:01:27,890 --> 00:01:30,490 Speaker 1: is for you. So settle in, take a deep breath, 22 00:01:30,630 --> 00:01:35,580 Speaker 1: and let's discover together how faith changes everything. Welcome to 23 00:01:35,610 --> 00:01:38,929 Speaker 1: your hope-filled perspective, where it's always our goal to restore hope, 24 00:01:39,110 --> 00:01:42,350 Speaker 1: renew minds, and empower listeners and viewers to live in 25 00:01:42,390 --> 00:01:46,790 Speaker 1: your God-given identity. We combine biblical truth and brain science 26 00:01:46,970 --> 00:01:50,890 Speaker 1: to renew the mind, strengthen emotional health, and deepen our faith. 27 00:01:51,070 --> 00:01:56,520 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Dr. Michelle Bankson, board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, author, speaker, 28 00:01:56,700 --> 00:02:00,640 Speaker 1: and passionate believer that no matter what you're facing, God 29 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 1: always offers hope. Today, we are talking about a subject 30 00:02:04,220 --> 00:02:07,220 Speaker 1: that touches every single one of us, fear. Fear shows 31 00:02:07,300 --> 00:02:10,100 Speaker 1: up in different ways for different people. For some, it's 32 00:02:10,180 --> 00:02:13,940 Speaker 1: fear about health. For others, it's fear about finances. Some 33 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:18,610 Speaker 1: fear rejection. Some fear failure. Some fear the future. Some 34 00:02:18,669 --> 00:02:23,030 Speaker 1: fear losing someone they love. Others fear making the wrong decision. 35 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:27,260 Speaker 1: And while fear may be universal, God never intended for 36 00:02:27,340 --> 00:02:30,610 Speaker 1: fear to become the place where we permanently live. Fear 37 00:02:30,669 --> 00:02:33,810 Speaker 1: is meant to function like a smoke alarm. It alerts 38 00:02:33,950 --> 00:02:37,930 Speaker 1: us when danger exists. But when fear begins sounding the 39 00:02:37,990 --> 00:02:41,200 Speaker 1: alarm 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even 40 00:02:41,260 --> 00:02:46,359 Speaker 1: when there is no immediate threat, it starts damaging our emotional, physical, relational, 41 00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:50,080 Speaker 1: and spiritual well-being. Today, I want to help you understand 42 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:54,620 Speaker 1: why that happens and even more importantly, how faith becomes 43 00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 1: one of the most powerful tools God has given us 44 00:02:57,720 --> 00:03:01,049 Speaker 1: to overcome it. We'll dive into that right after this 45 00:03:01,130 --> 00:03:07,550 Speaker 1: brief word from our sponsor. Welcome back. Before we talk 46 00:03:07,610 --> 00:03:12,430 Speaker 1: about unhealthy fear, let's acknowledge something important. Fear in itself 47 00:03:13,050 --> 00:03:17,639 Speaker 1: is not sinful. Fear is actually part of God's brilliant design. 48 00:03:17,820 --> 00:03:21,040 Speaker 1: When God created the human brain, he equipped it with 49 00:03:21,100 --> 00:03:26,530 Speaker 1: a protective system designed to help us survive dangerous situations. 50 00:03:27,030 --> 00:03:29,930 Speaker 1: Imagine standing on the edge of a cliff. Fear tells 51 00:03:29,970 --> 00:03:33,690 Speaker 1: you to step back. Imagine seeing a car speeding towards you. 52 00:03:33,910 --> 00:03:37,130 Speaker 1: Fear motivates you to move out of the way. Imagine 53 00:03:37,220 --> 00:03:41,380 Speaker 1: hearing an intruder in your home. Fear mobilizes you to respond. 54 00:03:42,050 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 1: In those situations, fear is functioning exactly as God intended. 55 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 1: The problem isn't fear itself. The problem occurs when the 56 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:56,350 Speaker 1: brain begins perceiving danger where no danger actually exists. The 57 00:03:56,390 --> 00:04:00,330 Speaker 1: brain was designed to protect us, but because of sin, brokenness, 58 00:04:00,450 --> 00:04:07,530 Speaker 1: painful experiences, trauma, disappointment, and uncertainty, that protective system can 59 00:04:07,570 --> 00:04:12,170 Speaker 1: become overactive. Instead of responding to real threats, it starts 60 00:04:12,390 --> 00:04:17,940 Speaker 1: responding to imagined threats. Instead of helping us survive danger, 61 00:04:18,420 --> 00:04:23,120 Speaker 1: it begins limiting how we live. And that is when 62 00:04:23,220 --> 00:04:27,130 Speaker 1: fear becomes a prison. I want to turn our attention 63 00:04:27,290 --> 00:04:32,950 Speaker 1: to the neuroscience of fear. Let's talk about what's actually 64 00:04:33,089 --> 00:04:36,890 Speaker 1: happening inside the brain. One of the key structures involved 65 00:04:36,950 --> 00:04:40,900 Speaker 1: in fear is called the amygdala. The amygdala functions as 66 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:45,380 Speaker 1: the brain's alarm system. Its primary job is to scan 67 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:49,380 Speaker 1: the environment for threats. And when the amygdala perceives danger... 68 00:04:49,570 --> 00:04:54,690 Speaker 1: It immediately activates the body's stress response. So adrenaline is released. 69 00:04:54,870 --> 00:04:59,880 Speaker 1: Heart rate increases. Muscles tense. Breathing becomes more rapid. Blood 70 00:04:59,940 --> 00:05:04,080 Speaker 1: flow shifts away from long-term thinking and toward immediate survival. 71 00:05:04,480 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 1: This process happens incredibly fast. In fact, the amygdala often 72 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:12,220 Speaker 1: reacts before the thinking part of your brain has had 73 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:15,290 Speaker 1: time to evaluate whether or not the threat is real. 74 00:05:15,900 --> 00:05:18,529 Speaker 1: That's why you jump when you hear a loud noise 75 00:05:18,650 --> 00:05:22,430 Speaker 1: before realizing it was only a door slamming. Your alarm 76 00:05:22,690 --> 00:05:29,190 Speaker 1: system activates first. Reasoning comes second. Now here's where things 77 00:05:29,270 --> 00:05:34,630 Speaker 1: become especially important. The more frequently the brain experiences fear, 78 00:05:35,070 --> 00:05:39,979 Speaker 1: the stronger those fear pathways become. Neuroscientists often summarize this 79 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:45,400 Speaker 1: principle with a simple phrase, neurons that fire together, wire together. 80 00:05:45,890 --> 00:05:50,190 Speaker 1: The brain becomes more efficient at whatever it practices repeatedly. 81 00:05:50,710 --> 00:05:56,650 Speaker 1: If you repeatedly practice gratitude, gratitude pathways strengthen. If you 82 00:05:56,710 --> 00:06:01,210 Speaker 1: repeatedly practice hope, hope pathways strengthen. And if you repeatedly 83 00:06:01,270 --> 00:06:06,390 Speaker 1: practice anger, Fear, fear pathways strengthen. Over time, the brain 84 00:06:06,450 --> 00:06:12,890 Speaker 1: becomes increasingly skilled at anticipating danger. You begin expecting problems. 85 00:06:12,990 --> 00:06:17,419 Speaker 1: You become hypervigilant. You scan constantly for what might go wrong. 86 00:06:17,540 --> 00:06:21,800 Speaker 1: You start living in preparation for threats that may never occur. 87 00:06:22,060 --> 00:06:28,050 Speaker 1: And eventually, fear becomes your default operating system. One of 88 00:06:28,110 --> 00:06:31,830 Speaker 1: the greatest dangers of chronic fear is that it changes 89 00:06:32,130 --> 00:06:35,640 Speaker 1: the way we make decisions. When fear dominates the brain, 90 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:40,060 Speaker 1: activity in the prefrontal cortex, the area of our brain 91 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:45,340 Speaker 1: responsible for wisdom, judgment, planning, reasoning, and decision-making, that becomes 92 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:50,320 Speaker 1: less effective. In simple terms, fear makes it harder to 93 00:06:50,380 --> 00:06:53,860 Speaker 1: think clearly. Have you ever made a decision purely because 94 00:06:53,900 --> 00:06:58,339 Speaker 1: you wanted relief from anxiety? Have you ever avoided an 95 00:06:58,420 --> 00:07:02,780 Speaker 1: opportunity because you feared failure? Have you ever stayed silent 96 00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:07,479 Speaker 1: because you feared criticism? Have you ever remained stuck because 97 00:07:07,860 --> 00:07:13,230 Speaker 1: moving forward felt uncertain? Fear often disguises itself as wisdom. 98 00:07:13,610 --> 00:07:16,030 Speaker 1: It tells us we're being careful. It tells us we're 99 00:07:16,250 --> 00:07:21,330 Speaker 1: being practical. It tells us we're being realistic. But many times, 100 00:07:21,710 --> 00:07:25,720 Speaker 1: what we're actually doing is allowing fear to make decisions 101 00:07:26,080 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: God intended faith to make. Fear asks, what if everything 102 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:34,940 Speaker 1: goes wrong? Faith asks, what if God is already there? 103 00:07:36,190 --> 00:07:40,670 Speaker 1: Fear asks, what if I fail? Faith asks, what if 104 00:07:40,730 --> 00:07:45,570 Speaker 1: God sustains me? Fear asks, what if I can't handle this? 105 00:07:46,570 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 1: Faith asks, what if God provides exactly for what I 106 00:07:51,020 --> 00:07:56,260 Speaker 1: need when I need it? You see, that difference is profound. 107 00:07:57,400 --> 00:08:03,190 Speaker 1: One perspective focuses on our limitations. The other focuses on 108 00:08:03,250 --> 00:08:08,210 Speaker 1: God's sufficiency. One area where fear often does its greatest 109 00:08:08,270 --> 00:08:13,710 Speaker 1: damage is in our relationships. Many people don't immediately recognize 110 00:08:14,050 --> 00:08:19,130 Speaker 1: that what appears to be relational conflict is often fear 111 00:08:19,450 --> 00:08:24,670 Speaker 1: operating beneath the surface. Fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, 112 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:29,670 Speaker 1: fear of disappointment, fear of vulnerability, fear of being misunderstood, 113 00:08:29,890 --> 00:08:33,569 Speaker 1: or fear of being hurt again can quietly shape the 114 00:08:33,610 --> 00:08:37,410 Speaker 1: way we interact with others. We've talked about many of 115 00:08:37,490 --> 00:08:41,599 Speaker 1: those types of fears and the result in other episodes 116 00:08:41,679 --> 00:08:44,360 Speaker 1: on this podcast. And if any of them ring true 117 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:46,679 Speaker 1: to you, I would invite your friend to go back 118 00:08:46,840 --> 00:08:49,559 Speaker 1: and listen to those episodes where we cover them in 119 00:08:49,860 --> 00:08:54,410 Speaker 1: much greater depth. When fear takes hold, it often pushes 120 00:08:54,530 --> 00:08:59,210 Speaker 1: us toward one of two extremes. Some people withdraw emotionally. 121 00:08:59,740 --> 00:09:04,980 Speaker 1: They stop sharing openly, avoid difficult conversations, and build protective 122 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:09,619 Speaker 1: walls around their hearts. Others move in the opposite direction, 123 00:09:09,740 --> 00:09:15,820 Speaker 1: becoming controlling, overly dependent on reassurance, or constantly seeking validation 124 00:09:15,880 --> 00:09:20,300 Speaker 1: from those around them. While those responses may look different 125 00:09:20,420 --> 00:09:24,890 Speaker 1: on the surface, they are both attempts to manage fear. 126 00:09:25,950 --> 00:09:29,130 Speaker 1: I've worked with countless individuals over the years who believe 127 00:09:29,170 --> 00:09:33,750 Speaker 1: they had communication problems, marriage problems, or friendship problems only 128 00:09:33,870 --> 00:09:39,130 Speaker 1: to discover that fear was actually driving much of their behavior. 129 00:09:39,390 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 1: Fear convinced them that opening up was dangerous. Fear convinced 130 00:09:43,400 --> 00:09:48,220 Speaker 1: them that trusting others would inevitably lead to disappointment. Fear 131 00:09:48,300 --> 00:09:52,460 Speaker 1: convinced them that they had to protect themselves at all costs. 132 00:09:53,140 --> 00:09:57,250 Speaker 1: The challenge is that fear rarely produces the very thing 133 00:09:57,290 --> 00:10:00,780 Speaker 1: we're hoping to achieve. The walls we build to prevent 134 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:05,620 Speaker 1: hurt often prevent connection the control we attempt to exert 135 00:10:05,660 --> 00:10:10,420 Speaker 1: to feel safe often creates distance the reassurance we seek 136 00:10:10,620 --> 00:10:15,550 Speaker 1: can never fully satisfy when fear remains unaddressed within our 137 00:10:15,610 --> 00:10:19,360 Speaker 1: hearts This is one of the reasons that scripture places 138 00:10:19,540 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 1: such a strong emphasis on love. 1 John 4, 18 139 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:28,380 Speaker 1: tells us that perfect love casts out fear. And notice 140 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:32,170 Speaker 1: that the verse doesn't say fear casts out love. It 141 00:10:32,230 --> 00:10:36,670 Speaker 1: says love casts out fear. God's love has the power 142 00:10:36,730 --> 00:10:41,570 Speaker 1: to accomplish what our self-protection never can. His love provides 143 00:10:41,650 --> 00:10:45,610 Speaker 1: the security our hearts are searching for. The more deeply 144 00:10:45,670 --> 00:10:49,340 Speaker 1: we understand his unwavering love for us, the less dependent 145 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:53,520 Speaker 1: we become on circumstances or people to provide the security 146 00:10:53,780 --> 00:10:59,140 Speaker 1: only he can give. Fear isolates, but faith connects. Fear 147 00:10:59,220 --> 00:11:03,070 Speaker 1: causes us to retreat inward, while faith gives us the 148 00:11:03,210 --> 00:11:07,590 Speaker 1: courage to move forward towards others. Faith reminds us that 149 00:11:07,830 --> 00:11:13,150 Speaker 1: even if people disappoint us, God remains faithful. Even if 150 00:11:13,210 --> 00:11:20,349 Speaker 1: relationships become difficult, God remains present. Even if we experience rejection, 151 00:11:20,710 --> 00:11:25,540 Speaker 1: our identity remains secure in Christ. So let's turn the 152 00:11:25,580 --> 00:11:30,079 Speaker 1: conversation to talk about the connection between fear and anxiety. 153 00:11:30,679 --> 00:11:34,640 Speaker 1: Many people use the terms fear and anxiety interchangeably, but 154 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:38,270 Speaker 1: they aren't exactly the same thing. Fear is typically a 155 00:11:38,330 --> 00:11:45,209 Speaker 1: response to a specific identifiable threat. Anxiety often develops when 156 00:11:45,270 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 1: the mind begins anticipating future threats that may or may 157 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:56,660 Speaker 1: not ever happen. Fear says, there's danger right now. Anxiety says, 158 00:11:57,340 --> 00:12:01,349 Speaker 1: what if danger shows up tomorrow? The problem is that 159 00:12:01,429 --> 00:12:06,209 Speaker 1: the brain doesn't always distinguish between an actual threat or 160 00:12:06,450 --> 00:12:11,069 Speaker 1: an imagined one. If your brain represents repeatedly rehearses worst 161 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:16,230 Speaker 1: case scenarios, your body may respond as though those scenarios 162 00:12:16,470 --> 00:12:21,199 Speaker 1: are already occurring. Your heart rate increases, your muscles tense, 163 00:12:21,520 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 1: stress hormones begin circulating through your body, sleep may become difficult, 164 00:12:26,179 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 1: and concentration suffers. Decision making becomes more challenging. In many ways, 165 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:37,809 Speaker 1: anxiety is the mind's attempt to predict and prepare for 166 00:12:38,030 --> 00:12:44,719 Speaker 1: every possible negative outcome. Unfortunately, because the future is unknowable, 167 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:49,080 Speaker 1: the brain never reaches a point where it feels fully prepared. 168 00:12:49,540 --> 00:12:55,990 Speaker 1: There is always another what-if to consider. another possibility to analyze, 169 00:12:56,510 --> 00:13:02,189 Speaker 1: another outcome to fear. This is why anxiety can become 170 00:13:02,490 --> 00:13:06,790 Speaker 1: so exhausting. The mind was never designed to carry the 171 00:13:06,830 --> 00:13:12,050 Speaker 1: weight of controlling the future. That responsibility belongs to God alone. 172 00:13:12,770 --> 00:13:16,630 Speaker 1: One of the enemy's favorite tactics is to keep our 173 00:13:16,690 --> 00:13:22,480 Speaker 1: attention fixed on imagined futures rather than God's present faithfulness. 174 00:13:23,260 --> 00:13:29,410 Speaker 1: Anxiety thrives in uncertainty because it continually asks questions that 175 00:13:29,450 --> 00:13:33,070 Speaker 1: have no immediate answers. What if I lose my job? 176 00:13:33,450 --> 00:13:36,449 Speaker 1: What if my health declines? What if my children struggle? 177 00:13:36,630 --> 00:13:40,309 Speaker 1: What if things don't work out? Faith doesn't always answer 178 00:13:40,470 --> 00:13:46,730 Speaker 1: every what if. Instead, faith anchors itself in the character 179 00:13:47,010 --> 00:13:50,670 Speaker 1: of God. Faith says, I don't know exactly what my 180 00:13:50,730 --> 00:13:54,630 Speaker 1: future holds, but I know the one who holds my future. 181 00:13:55,230 --> 00:14:02,370 Speaker 1: Faith acknowledges uncertainty while simultaneously trusting God's sovereignty. This is 182 00:14:02,429 --> 00:14:06,819 Speaker 1: why Isaiah 26 3 has become such an important verse 183 00:14:06,960 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 1: for those struggling with anxiety. The prophet writes, you will 184 00:14:11,540 --> 00:14:17,260 Speaker 1: keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because 185 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:20,890 Speaker 1: they trust in you. Notice the connection between the mind 186 00:14:21,150 --> 00:14:26,310 Speaker 1: and peace. God doesn't merely address our circumstances. He addresses 187 00:14:26,630 --> 00:14:31,510 Speaker 1: our thinking. As our mind become increasingly fixed on him, 188 00:14:31,930 --> 00:14:37,040 Speaker 1: rather than our fears, peace begins to grow. Now let's 189 00:14:37,100 --> 00:14:42,050 Speaker 1: talk about what scripture teaches about fear. One of the 190 00:14:42,090 --> 00:14:48,240 Speaker 1: most fascinating observations through scripture is how frequently God addresses fear. 191 00:14:48,700 --> 00:14:54,080 Speaker 1: Depending on the translation, some variation of do not fear 192 00:14:54,340 --> 00:14:57,479 Speaker 1: or do not be afraid appears hundreds of times throughout 193 00:14:57,520 --> 00:15:01,950 Speaker 1: the Bible. I don't believe that's because God expected his 194 00:15:02,020 --> 00:15:06,580 Speaker 1: people to never experience fear. Rather, I believe it's because 195 00:15:06,620 --> 00:15:10,320 Speaker 1: he knew exactly how often we would be tempted by it. 196 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:15,650 Speaker 1: Think about the individuals God called throughout scripture. Moses feared 197 00:15:15,710 --> 00:15:21,710 Speaker 1: he wasn't qualified. Gideon feared he wasn't capable. Esther feared 198 00:15:21,890 --> 00:15:27,030 Speaker 1: approaching the king. Joshua feared leading God's people after Moses. 199 00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:32,580 Speaker 1: The disciples feared storms, persecution, and uncertainty about the future. 200 00:15:33,420 --> 00:15:40,060 Speaker 1: In almost every case, God's response wasn't to eliminate the challenge. Instead, 201 00:15:40,500 --> 00:15:44,580 Speaker 1: he reminded them of his presence. When Joshua prepared to 202 00:15:44,640 --> 00:15:47,980 Speaker 1: lead Israel into the promised land, God didn't promise that 203 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:50,520 Speaker 1: there would be no battles. He didn't promise there would 204 00:15:50,540 --> 00:15:56,020 Speaker 1: be no obstacles. Instead, God repeatedly reminded Joshua, be strong 205 00:15:56,340 --> 00:16:00,760 Speaker 1: and courageous. Why? For the Lord your God will be 206 00:16:00,820 --> 00:16:05,460 Speaker 1: with you wherever you go. The same principle remains true today. 207 00:16:05,680 --> 00:16:09,750 Speaker 1: Biblical courage is not the absence of fear. Biblical courage 208 00:16:09,890 --> 00:16:14,790 Speaker 1: is moving forward in obedience despite fear because we trust 209 00:16:14,870 --> 00:16:19,110 Speaker 1: God more than we trust our feelings. Many believers spend 210 00:16:19,170 --> 00:16:23,270 Speaker 1: years waiting for fear to disappear before taking action. They 211 00:16:23,330 --> 00:16:28,610 Speaker 1: assume courage comes first and obedience follows. But scripture often 212 00:16:28,670 --> 00:16:33,940 Speaker 1: demonstrates the opposite pattern. Obedience comes first and courage grows 213 00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 1: as we experience God's faithfulness along the way. Faith is 214 00:16:38,620 --> 00:16:42,410 Speaker 1: not the denial of fear. Faith is choosing which voice 215 00:16:42,470 --> 00:16:46,110 Speaker 1: will have the final authority. Will we listen primarily to 216 00:16:46,190 --> 00:16:50,600 Speaker 1: our fears or will we listen primarily to God's promises? 217 00:16:51,220 --> 00:16:54,500 Speaker 1: Every day we make that choice and every day that 218 00:16:54,640 --> 00:17:00,100 Speaker 1: choice influences both our spiritual lives and our brains. Friends, 219 00:17:00,220 --> 00:17:04,290 Speaker 1: in our next segment, we'll discuss how faith literally rewires 220 00:17:04,410 --> 00:17:10,400 Speaker 1: the brain right after this brief word from our sponsor. Friends, 221 00:17:10,460 --> 00:17:12,830 Speaker 1: now I want to turn our attention to how faith 222 00:17:13,190 --> 00:17:17,970 Speaker 1: literally rewires the brain. This part gets me so excited 223 00:17:18,150 --> 00:17:22,530 Speaker 1: because one of the most encouraging discoveries in modern neuroscience 224 00:17:22,690 --> 00:17:26,390 Speaker 1: is the concept of neuroplasticity. You may have heard that 225 00:17:26,470 --> 00:17:30,610 Speaker 1: term before. Neuroplasticity simply means that the brain is capable 226 00:17:30,670 --> 00:17:35,199 Speaker 1: of changing throughout our lives. For years, scientists believed the 227 00:17:35,790 --> 00:17:39,310 Speaker 1: brain was largely fixed after a certain age, but we 228 00:17:39,450 --> 00:17:43,240 Speaker 1: now know that the brain is continually forming new neural 229 00:17:43,260 --> 00:17:48,220 Speaker 1: pathways and strengthening the connections it uses most often. This 230 00:17:48,240 --> 00:17:52,940 Speaker 1: should be incredibly encouraging for anyone who feels trapped by worry, fear, 231 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:57,830 Speaker 1: or anxiety. The fear-based patterns you've developed are not necessarily permanent. 232 00:17:57,990 --> 00:18:01,270 Speaker 1: The anxious thought loops you've rehearsed for years are not 233 00:18:01,330 --> 00:18:06,169 Speaker 1: necessarily your destiny. The brain can change. What's fascinating to 234 00:18:06,210 --> 00:18:11,580 Speaker 1: me is that this scientific discovery aligns beautifully with biblical truth. 235 00:18:11,859 --> 00:18:17,859 Speaker 1: Long before neuroscientists discovered neuroplasticity, scripture was already teaching the 236 00:18:17,920 --> 00:18:21,330 Speaker 1: importance of renewing the mind. Romans 12, 2 tells us, 237 00:18:21,630 --> 00:18:25,750 Speaker 1: do not conform to the pattern of this world, but 238 00:18:25,950 --> 00:18:31,690 Speaker 1: be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Notice that 239 00:18:31,750 --> 00:18:37,320 Speaker 1: transformation begins with renewal. God understands that lasting change doesn't 240 00:18:37,500 --> 00:18:42,189 Speaker 1: merely happen through behavior modification. It begins with changing the 241 00:18:42,270 --> 00:18:47,690 Speaker 1: way we think. Every thought we repeatedly entertain strengthens a 242 00:18:47,750 --> 00:18:53,060 Speaker 1: pathway in the brain. If we consistently rehearse fear-based thoughts, 243 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:58,660 Speaker 1: those pathways become stronger and more automatic. But when we 244 00:18:58,800 --> 00:19:05,350 Speaker 1: intentionally focus on truth, gratitude, God's promises, and his faithfulness, 245 00:19:05,690 --> 00:19:10,710 Speaker 1: we begin strengthening entirely different neural pathways. Now, this doesn't 246 00:19:10,770 --> 00:19:16,570 Speaker 1: happen overnight. Just as fear-based thinking patterns were developed over time, 247 00:19:16,890 --> 00:19:22,310 Speaker 1: faith-based thinking patterns are developed over time as well. But 248 00:19:22,590 --> 00:19:26,199 Speaker 1: every time you choose truth over fear, every time you 249 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:29,980 Speaker 1: bring an anxious thought captive to Christ, every time you 250 00:19:30,020 --> 00:19:35,359 Speaker 1: redirect your attention from catastrophe to God's character, you are 251 00:19:35,420 --> 00:19:39,800 Speaker 1: participating in the renewal process. What I find so beautiful 252 00:19:39,980 --> 00:19:44,060 Speaker 1: is that God never asks us to pretend fear doesn't exist. 253 00:19:44,369 --> 00:19:48,510 Speaker 1: He doesn't ask us to deny reality. Instead, he invites 254 00:19:48,609 --> 00:19:52,420 Speaker 1: us to view reality. through the lens of his truth 255 00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:57,800 Speaker 1: rather than through the lens of fear. So what does 256 00:19:57,900 --> 00:20:02,810 Speaker 1: renewing the mind actually look like in everyday life? For 257 00:20:02,830 --> 00:20:07,710 Speaker 1: many people, renewing the mind begins by becoming aware of 258 00:20:07,869 --> 00:20:12,460 Speaker 1: what they're thinking and Most fearful thoughts happen so automatically, 259 00:20:12,720 --> 00:20:16,820 Speaker 1: we don't even question them. We simply accept them as true. 260 00:20:16,840 --> 00:20:20,979 Speaker 1: A thought enters our mind like, something bad's going to happen. 261 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:24,879 Speaker 1: And then another thought follows. I won't be able to 262 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:28,350 Speaker 1: handle it. And then another. Everything's going to fall apart. 263 00:20:29,030 --> 00:20:33,190 Speaker 1: Before long, our emotions and our physical responses are reacting 264 00:20:33,230 --> 00:20:37,000 Speaker 1: to assumptions that may not be true at all. One 265 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:40,320 Speaker 1: of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself, is 266 00:20:40,420 --> 00:20:44,820 Speaker 1: this thought based on fear or is it based on truth? 267 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:51,270 Speaker 1: That question alone can interrupt a fear cycle. Another helpful 268 00:20:51,310 --> 00:20:56,570 Speaker 1: practice is intentionally replacing fearful thoughts with biblical truth. When 269 00:20:56,630 --> 00:21:01,170 Speaker 1: fear says you're alone, Remind yourself that God has promised 270 00:21:01,369 --> 00:21:05,250 Speaker 1: never to leave you or forsake you. When fear says 271 00:21:05,609 --> 00:21:09,770 Speaker 1: you can't handle this, remember that God's strength is made 272 00:21:09,890 --> 00:21:15,320 Speaker 1: perfect in your weakness. When fear says the future is uncertain, 273 00:21:15,720 --> 00:21:20,920 Speaker 1: remember that God is already present in every tomorrow you'll face. Friends, 274 00:21:20,940 --> 00:21:25,280 Speaker 1: this is not just positive thinking. This is biblical thinking. 275 00:21:26,010 --> 00:21:30,280 Speaker 1: Here's the difference. Positive thinking says, everything will work out 276 00:21:30,430 --> 00:21:35,119 Speaker 1: exactly the way I want. Biblical thinking says, no matter 277 00:21:35,180 --> 00:21:40,340 Speaker 1: what happens, God will remain faithful. And that distinction is 278 00:21:40,619 --> 00:21:46,949 Speaker 1: incredibly important. As we get closer to wrapping up this episode, 279 00:21:47,109 --> 00:21:50,370 Speaker 1: I thought it might be helpful to provide practical steps 280 00:21:50,570 --> 00:21:54,280 Speaker 1: for breaking fears hold. If fear has been a significant 281 00:21:54,320 --> 00:21:57,540 Speaker 1: struggle for you, let me offer a few practical steps 282 00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:02,399 Speaker 1: that can help you begin breaking its grip. First, limit 283 00:22:02,540 --> 00:22:06,640 Speaker 1: unnecessary fear input. The brain was designed to pay attention 284 00:22:06,700 --> 00:22:11,500 Speaker 1: to threats. If we constantly expose ourselves to alarming news, 285 00:22:11,800 --> 00:22:17,639 Speaker 1: negative conversations, catastrophic predictions, and fear-filled media, we shouldn't be 286 00:22:17,700 --> 00:22:24,260 Speaker 1: surprised when our anxiety increases. That doesn't mean becoming uninformed. 287 00:22:24,580 --> 00:22:29,080 Speaker 1: It simply means being intentional about what we allow to 288 00:22:29,600 --> 00:22:35,590 Speaker 1: occupy our minds. Second, develop a habit of gratitude. Gratitude 289 00:22:35,790 --> 00:22:39,320 Speaker 1: and fear compete for attention within the brain. When we 290 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:44,129 Speaker 1: intentionally focus on God's blessings, His provision, and His faithfulness, 291 00:22:44,350 --> 00:22:47,990 Speaker 1: we train our minds to notice evidence of His presence 292 00:22:48,430 --> 00:22:56,020 Speaker 1: rather than exclusively searching for potential threats. Gratitude doesn't eliminate challenges, 293 00:22:56,240 --> 00:23:00,959 Speaker 1: but it changes what receives the majority of our attention. Third, 294 00:23:01,840 --> 00:23:06,930 Speaker 1: spend consistent time in God's Word. Scripture isn't merely inspirational reading. 295 00:23:07,590 --> 00:23:11,370 Speaker 1: It's truth that reshapes the way we think. The more 296 00:23:11,650 --> 00:23:15,580 Speaker 1: we consistently fill our minds with God's perspective, the more 297 00:23:15,670 --> 00:23:21,119 Speaker 1: equipped we become to challenge fear-based thinking when it arises. Fourth, 298 00:23:21,700 --> 00:23:25,520 Speaker 1: bring your fears honestly before God in prayer. Sometimes people 299 00:23:25,580 --> 00:23:31,480 Speaker 1: think faith means never admitting fear, but scripture demonstrates the 300 00:23:31,640 --> 00:23:36,310 Speaker 1: exact opposite. David repeatedly poured out his fear before God 301 00:23:36,369 --> 00:23:40,960 Speaker 1: in the Psalms. The disciples openly expressed their fears. Even 302 00:23:41,119 --> 00:23:46,200 Speaker 1: Jesus in his humanity expressed deep anguish in the Garden 303 00:23:46,240 --> 00:23:49,260 Speaker 1: of Gethsemane. Friends, the good news is that God is 304 00:23:49,300 --> 00:23:53,260 Speaker 1: not intimidated by your fears. Instead, he invites you to 305 00:23:53,320 --> 00:23:59,659 Speaker 1: bring them to him. And finally, take courageous action. One 306 00:23:59,700 --> 00:24:03,280 Speaker 1: of the ways fear maintains its power is by convincing 307 00:24:03,359 --> 00:24:07,710 Speaker 1: us to avoid whatever scares us. While wisdom is important, 308 00:24:07,810 --> 00:24:14,280 Speaker 1: chronic avoidance often strengthens fear. Sometimes the breakthrough comes not 309 00:24:14,320 --> 00:24:19,280 Speaker 1: when fear disappears, but when we choose obedience despite fear. 310 00:24:19,780 --> 00:24:23,080 Speaker 1: Each time we step forward in faith, we teach our 311 00:24:23,119 --> 00:24:28,720 Speaker 1: brains a new lesson that God is trustworthy. If you're 312 00:24:28,760 --> 00:24:32,740 Speaker 1: listening today and you've been battling fear for a long time, 313 00:24:32,760 --> 00:24:35,830 Speaker 1: I want you to hear this clearly. Fear is does 314 00:24:35,990 --> 00:24:40,230 Speaker 1: not have the final word over your life. Perhaps you've 315 00:24:40,250 --> 00:24:44,270 Speaker 1: convinced yourself that you'll always be anxious. Perhaps you've assumed 316 00:24:44,550 --> 00:24:49,109 Speaker 1: you'll never stop worrying. Perhaps fear has become so familiar 317 00:24:49,570 --> 00:24:56,520 Speaker 1: that you can't imagine living differently. But God specializes in transformation. 318 00:24:56,540 --> 00:25:00,600 Speaker 1: The same God who created your brain understands exactly how 319 00:25:00,660 --> 00:25:03,870 Speaker 1: it works. The same God who designed your nervous system 320 00:25:04,050 --> 00:25:07,160 Speaker 1: knows how fear affects it. And the same God who 321 00:25:07,220 --> 00:25:12,500 Speaker 1: commands us not to fear also provides the power, truth, presence, 322 00:25:12,720 --> 00:25:16,980 Speaker 1: and grace necessary to overcome it. You, my friend, are 323 00:25:17,030 --> 00:25:20,290 Speaker 1: not powerless. You are not stuck. You are not destined 324 00:25:20,350 --> 00:25:24,439 Speaker 1: to live imprisoned by fear. Through God's truth, through the 325 00:25:24,500 --> 00:25:27,640 Speaker 1: renewing of your mind, through the work of the Holy Spirit, 326 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:31,639 Speaker 1: and through the incredible capacity God built into your brain 327 00:25:31,740 --> 00:25:36,490 Speaker 1: to change, freedom is possible. Will fear still knock on 328 00:25:36,510 --> 00:25:39,950 Speaker 1: your door for time to time? Absolutely. But you don't 329 00:25:39,990 --> 00:25:43,030 Speaker 1: have to invite it in and give it permanent residence. 330 00:25:43,350 --> 00:25:47,020 Speaker 1: You can acknowledge fear without surrendering to it. You can 331 00:25:47,100 --> 00:25:51,480 Speaker 1: experience uncertainty without being controlled by it. And you can 332 00:25:51,520 --> 00:25:55,260 Speaker 1: move forward with courage, even when you feel afraid, because 333 00:25:55,359 --> 00:26:01,629 Speaker 1: courage is not confidence in yourself. Courage is confidence in God. 334 00:26:01,650 --> 00:26:05,090 Speaker 1: I'd love to pray for you. Father, thank you that 335 00:26:05,130 --> 00:26:09,369 Speaker 1: you understand us so completely. Thank you for creating our minds, 336 00:26:09,390 --> 00:26:12,880 Speaker 1: our emotions, and our bodies with such incredible design. Lord, 337 00:26:12,920 --> 00:26:15,600 Speaker 1: you know every listener who is struggling with fear today. 338 00:26:16,060 --> 00:26:18,540 Speaker 1: You know the worries that keep them awake at night, 339 00:26:18,680 --> 00:26:22,340 Speaker 1: the concerns they carry in silence, and the situations that 340 00:26:22,380 --> 00:26:25,830 Speaker 1: feel overwhelming. I pray that you would help them recognize 341 00:26:25,950 --> 00:26:29,750 Speaker 1: fear for what it is, a temporary emotion, not a 342 00:26:29,790 --> 00:26:34,570 Speaker 1: permanent identity. Help them separate fearful thoughts from your truth. 343 00:26:34,970 --> 00:26:38,570 Speaker 1: Remind them that you are present, you are faithful, and 344 00:26:38,630 --> 00:26:43,700 Speaker 1: you are trustworthy. Renew their minds according to your word. 345 00:26:43,840 --> 00:26:49,030 Speaker 1: Strengthen the pathways of faith, hope, peace, and confidence. Give 346 00:26:49,070 --> 00:26:52,550 Speaker 1: them courage to take the next step of obedience, even 347 00:26:52,650 --> 00:26:56,270 Speaker 1: if they still feel afraid. Let them experience the peace 348 00:26:56,330 --> 00:27:00,370 Speaker 1: that surpasses understanding and the assurance that comes from knowing 349 00:27:00,609 --> 00:27:05,710 Speaker 1: you are with them. May they leave this episode encouraged, strengthened, 350 00:27:05,859 --> 00:27:10,480 Speaker 1: and reminded that fear does not define their future. You do. 351 00:27:11,010 --> 00:27:15,700 Speaker 1: I ask all of this in Jesus' name. Amen. Friends, 352 00:27:16,040 --> 00:27:19,240 Speaker 1: if today's episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to 353 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:22,159 Speaker 1: share it with someone who may be struggling with fear 354 00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:25,139 Speaker 1: or anxiety or who has a friend or family member 355 00:27:25,200 --> 00:27:28,330 Speaker 1: who does. And if you haven't already subscribed to the podcast, 356 00:27:28,460 --> 00:27:30,530 Speaker 1: please be sure to do so so that you never 357 00:27:30,630 --> 00:27:35,149 Speaker 1: miss an episode of your hope-filled perspective. Remember, regardless of 358 00:27:35,190 --> 00:27:37,730 Speaker 1: what you are facing today, God is still at work, 359 00:27:37,869 --> 00:27:41,230 Speaker 1: hope is still available, and your best days are not 360 00:27:41,290 --> 00:27:47,340 Speaker 1: behind you. Until next time, keep living. with a hope-filled perspective. 361 00:27:47,660 --> 00:27:50,360 Speaker 1: Until we meet again next week, it's my prayer for 362 00:27:50,420 --> 00:27:53,699 Speaker 1: you that you have a hope-filled week. Bye, friends. 363 00:27:55,300 --> 00:27:59,540 Speaker 2: It is now known that depression is our greatest epidemic worldwide. 364 00:28:00,260 --> 00:28:04,600 Speaker 2: It is greater than heart disease, cancer, and AIDS all 365 00:28:04,680 --> 00:28:10,119 Speaker 2: put together. Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of biblically-based resources 366 00:28:10,440 --> 00:28:13,950 Speaker 2: which identify the spiritual component that will help individuals cope 367 00:28:14,210 --> 00:28:17,790 Speaker 2: with depression and or resources for their loved ones who 368 00:28:17,850 --> 00:28:21,850 Speaker 2: are trying to support them. During Dr. Bankson's 30-year career, 369 00:28:22,070 --> 00:28:25,109 Speaker 2: she has treated thousands of individuals with depression and has 370 00:28:25,190 --> 00:28:28,730 Speaker 2: also suffered with it herself. Because of her suffering, she 371 00:28:28,780 --> 00:28:31,919 Speaker 2: has come to understand the compelling need to address the 372 00:28:31,960 --> 00:28:37,060 Speaker 2: spiritual dimension of depression, along with the physiological and emotional components. 373 00:28:37,700 --> 00:28:41,380 Speaker 2: In her award-winning book, Hope Prevails, Insights from a Doctor's 374 00:28:41,660 --> 00:28:45,610 Speaker 2: Personal Journey Through Depression, she shares with us her experiences. 375 00:28:46,030 --> 00:28:49,490 Speaker 2: She combines her decades of professional expertise and mental health 376 00:28:49,770 --> 00:28:53,390 Speaker 2: with her personal insights to help you overcome depression's grip. 377 00:28:54,020 --> 00:28:58,400 Speaker 2: Jan Silvius, author of Foolproofing Your Life and Same Life, 378 00:28:58,600 --> 00:29:02,620 Speaker 2: New Story, said this about Dr. Bankson in her award-winning book, 379 00:29:02,960 --> 00:29:06,160 Speaker 2: Hope Prevails, Insights from a Doctor's Personal Journey Through Depression. 380 00:29:07,100 --> 00:29:09,810 Speaker 2: It is a unique position to be both the doctor 381 00:29:10,050 --> 00:29:14,310 Speaker 2: and the depressed patient. Those dual experiences offer rare insight 382 00:29:14,410 --> 00:29:16,780 Speaker 2: into the nuances of a very difficult journey. 383 00:29:17,300 --> 00:29:17,540 Speaker 1: Dr. 384 00:29:17,580 --> 00:29:21,560 Speaker 2: Michelle Bankson has written a wonderful, hope-filled book for those 385 00:29:21,600 --> 00:29:24,580 Speaker 2: who suffer from depression and for those who love them. 386 00:29:25,080 --> 00:29:27,860 Speaker 2: Because she's been in the place of the patient, her 387 00:29:27,900 --> 00:29:30,880 Speaker 2: compassion abounds. Because she has been in the place of 388 00:29:30,900 --> 00:29:34,150 Speaker 2: the doctor, her knowledge is spot on. Because she is 389 00:29:34,210 --> 00:29:37,690 Speaker 2: a lover of God, her book offers practical, spiritual hope 390 00:29:37,970 --> 00:29:30,610 Speaker 2: for anyone who is searching. I Obtain your copy today 391 00:29:30,630 --> 00:30:02,970 Speaker 2: and begin your healing from depression. Do you appreciate the biblically-based, 392 00:30:03,170 --> 00:30:06,020 Speaker 2: hope-filled perspective offered each week by Dr. 393 00:30:06,060 --> 00:30:06,520 Speaker 1: Bankson? 394 00:30:07,100 --> 00:30:09,800 Speaker 2: Why don't you join the conversation? Take a moment and 395 00:30:09,820 --> 00:30:12,760 Speaker 2: leave us a review. It's easy. Just scroll down on 396 00:30:12,980 --> 00:30:15,760 Speaker 2: whatever app you're listening on, click on Review, and tell 397 00:30:15,780 --> 00:30:17,900 Speaker 2: us who you are, what you love about the program, 398 00:30:18,120 --> 00:30:19,870 Speaker 2: and let us get to know you a little bit, too. 399 00:30:20,480 --> 00:30:22,910 Speaker 2: And while you're at it, why not hit Subscribe so 400 00:30:22,950 --> 00:30:25,150 Speaker 2: you'll be the first to know each time a new 401 00:30:25,210 --> 00:30:26,010 Speaker 2: episode is aired. 402 00:30:28,340 --> 00:30:30,719 Speaker 1: I'd like to take just a second to thank the 403 00:30:30,760 --> 00:30:33,680 Speaker 1: team at Life Audio for their partnership with us on 404 00:30:33,720 --> 00:30:37,560 Speaker 1: this podcast. If you go to lifeaudio.com, you'll find dozens 405 00:30:37,600 --> 00:30:40,900 Speaker 1: of other faith centered podcasts in their network. They've got 406 00:30:40,960 --> 00:30:44,150 Speaker 1: shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more.