The Neuroscience of Peace: What Jesus Knew About Your Brain 2000 Years Ago

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

Worldly Definition of Peace vs. Jesus's Promise

In this Gospel passage, Jesus declares that he gives us his peace. Not “will give”, as in someday in the future. Nor did he say, “my peace I gave you,” as in one-and-done. No. In this Gospel, Jesus promises to continually give us his peace by using the present tense. That means even today in this busy Holiday season, we can have peace.

But what does this peace look like? Probably not the way we imagine it should look. Jesus says, “Not as the world gives do I give [peace] to you.” Often we perceive peace from the “world” in tangible, or practical things. We feel security and peace knowing that there is money in our bank account. Or we feel safety and peace through the people we know who can help us or protect us. Often we have a sense of peace because we know we live in a safe country or neighborhood. But all of these things can be lost. Unfortunately, when we lose these tangible things, we often lose our sense of peace. How many of us fell into terrible anxiety and fear with the Covid-19 pandemic or when the Great Recession hit in 2008?

Your Brain's Battle Between Fear and Peace

Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” But how do we do that? In her book “Calm Clarity,” writer Due Quach explains that certain regions of the brain cause us worry and fear. She explains that the Amygdala region of the brain is responsible for our fight-or-flight responses to life. This is not bad, because it keeps us alive. However, when we spend the majority of our life living with this part of our brain always “turned on,” it is very difficult to experience the peace that Jesus has already given us, and continues to give us. 

The 10-Minute Prayer Practice That Can Transform Your Brain

So how can we experience the peace of Jesus if our brain is misfiring with frequent fight-or-flight commands caused by everyday interactions in the world? Prayer and mediation. Science has shown that prayer activates deep regions in our prefrontal cortex, while also calming the fight-or-flight mechanism. In a 2017 NBC News article Dr. David Spiegel explained:

“Praying involves the deeper parts of the brain: the medial prefrontal cortex and the posterior cingulate cortex — the mid-front and back portions," says Dr. Spiegel, adding that this can be seen through magnetic image resonance (MRI), which render detailed anatomical pictures. "These parts of the brain are involved in self-reflection and self-soothing.”

In the same article, Dr. Paul Hokemeyer explained that prayer helps us cope with stress and trauma. “When we sit down and engage in prayer or meditation, we are able to shift away from this frightened and stressed survival mode into "an intentional state," says Dr. Hokemeyer, and ultimately “re-engage our prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that rules our executive functioning and enables us to make intelligent mindful decisions.”

The Bible has been telling us to pray for thousands of years; to meditate on the Word of God; and to trust in the constant presence of God with Us, Emmanuel. Now science is showing the physical truths and benefits of these biblical ideas. In this sometimes stressful season, take 5 minutes to pray each morning before you get out of bed, and to pray 5 minutes each night before bed. Set a timer for yourself. Be committed to this practice, and the peace that Jesus promises will surely enter your spirit.

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If you would like to start a journaling practice this Christmas, we are offering a guided journal that incorporates: a peace-focused Bible verse; a brief commentary about the scripture; and a thought-provoking reflection question. Each daily entry for December 1-24, is meant to be completed in about 5 to 7 minutes. Check out Beyond the Bustle if you are curious. Also available on Amazon.com