EDUCATION
"Wonderfully Made"
Part 1
"EDUCATION" pages are full of thought-provoking information designed to appeal to all of your rational, thinking brain. These pages are primarily for learning, as opposed to some other types of Comfort.Guide pages which are written more for motivation and consolation. Let these teachings help guide you to the truth that you are noticed, loved and cared for, even though you might not always feel so!
Current Research and Scripture
(Part 1) Introduction and “We Are Designed for Love!” (Starts Below)
(Part 2) Introduction and “We Are Designed for Protection and Survival!”
(Part 3) Introduction and “We Are Designed for Healing and Renewal of the Mind - The Neuroscience behind PAUSE, REFLECT, RECEIVE!”
(Part 4) Introduction and “Making God’s Design Personal - Identifying our own Personal Triggers and Healing the Memories that Cause Them!”
INTRODUCTION
Researchers who study the human brain tell us it is the single most complex, and expertly designed, part of our body. And the scientific community is trying to understand the how and why of this wonderful design. In this Educational work, we want to show how recent scientific research is now showing more and more of our creative Father God.
Specifically, we want to provide the foundation of understanding the important difference between crying out in pain to no one in particular, and crying out to Jesus. Jesus is the face of the Father’s love interacting with us in a love relationship. We want to become aware of how God has designed our bodies and minds for healing and the repair that only His love can bring. We also want to see the freedom He has for us in everyday life as we walk with Him above the troubled waters of this world; He has provided a bridge for us!
Be encouraged by this fact: in the Scriptures Jesus is called “Emmanuel”, which is translated “God with Us”. This means that He also experienced the stress of living in this world. He knows how to lead us through these troubled waters because He also has experienced all we have or will experience. His protection and safety was in His love relationship with the Father; this is available for us as well!
God’s original DESIGN for us could be stated: YOU ARE DESIGNED TO BE IN A LOVING RELATIONSHIP WITH ME. YOU ARE DESIGNED TO LOVE YOURSELF AND YOU ARE DESIGNED TO RECEIVE LOVE FROM, AND TO GIVE LOVE TO, OTHERS. But most of us are a mix of being mentally healthy as well as a struggling with the roots of toxicity (woundedness) in our thoughts, emotions and body. When we experience disturbing relationships and events in this WORLD that are contrary to how He has designed us, we will experience TROUBLE within, and TROUBLE in, relationships.
This DESIGN actually reflects what Jesus did, and what He told us to do: “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: love others as well as you love yourself. These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs on them.” (Matthew 22, MSG)
Awesomely, in His wonderful DESIGN, He has fashioned our minds and bodies not only to be protected and survive the “trouble in this world”, but to be renewed, healed and thrive! Even more exciting, as part of this wonderful DESIGN, He equips us to have a relationship with Him on an everyday basis. “For in Him we live and move and have our being …. For we are also His offspring.” (Acts17:28 AMPC).
As His children, we receive the outpouring of His Holy Spirit Who comes and dwells within our heart, which is the core center of what we believe and our overall attitude of mind. Our heart is the collection of all our thoughts and emotions; the foundation of our beliefs, motivation, hope and peace. (Romans 8:6-7). We invite Jesus into our “heart”.
Christian neuroscientist, Dr. Caroline Leaf, in her book entitled: “Who Switched Off My Brain? - Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions”, states: “We can see clearly how brain science lines up with Scripture - that your mind can be renewed, that toxic thoughts and emotions can be swept away and your brain really can be “switched on”. Dr. Leaf goes on further to state: “God has given us a design of hope: we can switch on our brains, renew our minds, change and heal.” (pg. 16 - see Credits at the end)
Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D., is a psychiatrist, founder and medical director of the Trauma Center in Brookline, Massachusetts. He is also a professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and director of the National Complex Trauma Treatment Network. Consider this quote in his book: “The Body Keeps the Score”: “If we look beyond the list of specific symptoms that entail formal psychiatric diagnoses, we find that almost all mental suffering involves either trouble in creating workable and satisfying relationships or difficulties in regulating arousal (as in the case of habitually becoming enraged, shut down, overexcited, or disorganized). Usually it’s a combination of both. The standard medical focus on trying to discover the right drug to treat a particular ‘disorder’ tends to distract us from grappling with how our problems interfere with our functioning as members of our tribe.” (Pgs 78-79, see Credits at the end)
Could it be that both the world in general and scientific study in particular are beginning to agree with what Jesus revealed as the reality of TROUBLE in this world?
(Part #1) We Are Designed for Love!
We need to look no further than our own hearts to know we are designed for love. Our hearts are “broken” when our love is not accepted, or when we lose a loved one. We gather together in times of crisis for comfort and to receive and give care and kindness. We struggle when we are alone; loneliness is stressful and wounding. We can all relate with empathy to those hurt by betrayal, abandonment or having been intentionally harmed by others. Scripture tells us we are created in the image and likeness of God and that God is described as a loving God. More importantly, however, is that God is described as Love itself!
Recent research in the field of psychology and neurology validates the truth of our need for love. We want to see and understand the wounding that happens to our minds, hearts and bodies when we experience circumstances which do not nurture our core needs, needs such as safety, belonging, significance, etc. Most important, however, is that we see how God has designed our minds, hearts and bodies with the capacity to be healed, renewed and comforted! Let’s look at the following four research studies to better help us understand ourselves, and our need to experience, receive and give LOVE.
The first study that will be considered is the YouTube video “Still Face Experiment” with Dr. Edward Tronick. Click HERE, then click on “Still Face Experiment: Dr. Edward Tronick” to watch it.
This experiment is a powerful visual showing how we, from a very early age, even before we can speak, are affected by the social interactions experienced with our early care-givers. These early interactions begin to build (either positively or negatively) the foundational perceptions of comfort, safety, trust, hope, empathy, as well as the capacity for bonding and intimacy. It is important to note that, even though the connection or attunement between the mother and child was broken for a time, the repair and return to a sense of safety and positive connection was able to be restored.
As you view this video, think of the Psalm 105: 4 (NIV) “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” And Psalm 34:5 (NIV): “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
The second study we will consider is entitled the “Adverse Childhood Experiences” (ACEs). Refer to the following website for more information www.samhsa and www.cdc.gov . You may also want to refer to www.acestoohigh.com.
This study was developed to determine if there was a connection between adverse childhood experiences and the development of long term negative effects, especially in the development of medical issues. The significant conclusion in this study reads: “Research has demonstrated a strong relationship between the “ACEs” in a person’s history and the development of substance-use disorders and behavioral problems. When children are exposed to chronic stressful events, their neurodevelopment can be disrupted. As a result, the child’s cognitive functioning or ability to cope with negative or disruptive emotions may be impaired.” Refer to www.samhsa.gov.
The adverse child experiences as listed in this study include the following:
Physical, sexual and emotional abuse,
Physical and emotional neglect,
Intimate partner violence, particularly to the mother,
Substance misuse within the household,
Household mental illness,
Parental separation and divorce,
Incarceration of a household member. (www.samhsa.gov)
Consider, as you note what is defined as adverse childhood experiences, the absence of or loss of love and care inherent in these life events and relationships. What is taking shape in the hearts and mind of children through these experiences?
The third study we will consider is the work of Erick Erickson. This study is the study of the core needs we are using as a base in Comfort.Guide. See httpl://www.simplypsychology.org/.psychosocial-stages.png.
Erickson proposed that perceptions of self and interactive social skills are developed during certain stages of life, beginning at birth. During each of these stages the person is developing (either positively or negatively) a perception of themselves and a set of life-skills. A positive perception results in a healthy personality and an ability to interact in society in an intimate and purposeful way. These positive perceptions result in: hope, will, purpose, competency, fidelity, love, care, and wisdom.
Erik Ericson’s work is also shown in more detail in www.Comfort.Guide. Click on "WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW"; human core needs are described there. Of special interest to us is this conclusion: if core needs are undermined, how do we come to believe in a God we can trust? How do we trust and love ourselves? And how do we form skills in communication for intimacy and purpose?
The fourth study to be considered is the “Attachment Theory”.
Dr. John Bowlby is particularly noted for the development of this theory. In one of his works he defined attachment as a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings.” This theory proposes that a person’s ability to self-sooth and regulate stressful emotions, as well as experience positive emotions and connections with others as adults, develops through the quality of attachments and “attunement” with their early childhood relationships, particularly their mother.
The aspect of attunement is important in that there is a deeper connection that occurs between people than just having their needs met; rather, it involves a give-and-take response that goes beyond empathy. The Miriam-Webster dictionary defines attunement as a reciprocal connection of emotions and an unbroken feeling of connectedness between people. Attunement involves a rhythm of being together that is mutually understood, nurturing and safe. It’s the exact opposite of when a child, or adult, is objectified. The term “objectified” used here is to describe interactions where one person sees the other only as an object, or tool, that is useful to them; they simply cannot see the other person’s unique worth or meaningfulness.
Therefore, depending on the quality of these interactions, the growing child will develop an identifiable pattern of attachment that as an adult ranges from secure, to avoidant, to ambivalent, to finally disorganized. You may want to refer back to the “Still Face Experiment” and consider the positive attunement between a child and a parent. An excellent website for further study is www.mindfulnessforchristians.com.
Excellent questions we would want to ask as we begin the journey of Comfort.Guide would be:
Am I living only in fear-based survival mode, OR in the opposite which is living in safety, love and freedom?
How often do I feel bowed down and weary, trapped and powerless?
What are my thoughts and emotions about myself, others and God, that are fearful, shameful and hurtful?
Am I stuck in patterns of anger and the resulting tendency of unforgiveness?
Where do I have difficulty loving myself, receiving love and giving love?
How does this affect my everyday life and relationships?
All the above questions help us gauge if we are trapped simply in survival mode, as we grapple with “trouble” in our world.
As we continue this journey of receiving healing, we will look at how we are designed for protection and survival in Part #2. In Part #3 we will look at how to access all the healing God has in mind for each of us. Finally, in Part #4, we will look at “Triggers” that influence us in a harmful way, and the Healing of the Memories that cause them.
CREDITS AND REFERENCES…
Amen, D. G., M. D., “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life”. Times Books, New York, NY. (Amen, 1998)
Bowlby, J., “Attachment. Attachment and Loss”. New York, NY, Basic Books. (Bowlby, J., 1969)
Goleman, D., “Social Intelligence”. Bantam Dell, New York, NY. (Goleman, 2006)
Leaf, C. M., Ph.D, “Who Switched Off My Brain”- Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions”. Improv, Ltd. (Leaf, 2009)
Schiraldi, G. R., Ph.D., “The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook”. McGraw Hill. (Schiraldi, 2009)
Shapiro, F., Ph.D. and Forrest, M.S., “EMDR”. Basic Books, New York, NY. (Shapiro, 1997)
Upton, Jennifer, Eagles Wings Counseling Center, Sarasota and Venice, FL. Adapted from Rodgers, Dr. Tom and Dr. Beverly, “Soul Healing Love”. Google Books. (Rodgers, 2006)
Van Der Kolk, B., M.D., The Body Keeps the Score”. Viking/Penguin, New York, NY. (Van Der Kolk, 2014)
Whitfield, C. L., M.D., “Healing the Child Within”. Health Communications, Deerfield Beach, FL. (Whitfield, 1987)
Young, Sarah, “Jesus Lives: Seeing His Love in your Life”. Google Books. (Young, 2009)
Click HERE to read "Wonderfully Made" - 2
"Wonderfully Made"
Part 1
"EDUCATION" pages are full of thought-provoking information designed to appeal to all of your rational, thinking brain. These pages are primarily for learning, as opposed to some other types of Comfort.Guide pages which are written more for motivation and consolation. Let these teachings help guide you to the truth that you are noticed, loved and cared for, even though you might not always feel so!
Current Research and Scripture
(Part 1) Introduction and “We Are Designed for Love!” (Starts Below)
(Part 2) Introduction and “We Are Designed for Protection and Survival!”
(Part 3) Introduction and “We Are Designed for Healing and Renewal of the Mind - The Neuroscience behind PAUSE, REFLECT, RECEIVE!”
(Part 4) Introduction and “Making God’s Design Personal - Identifying our own Personal Triggers and Healing the Memories that Cause Them!”
INTRODUCTION
Researchers who study the human brain tell us it is the single most complex, and expertly designed, part of our body. And the scientific community is trying to understand the how and why of this wonderful design. In this Educational work, we want to show how recent scientific research is now showing more and more of our creative Father God.
Specifically, we want to provide the foundation of understanding the important difference between crying out in pain to no one in particular, and crying out to Jesus. Jesus is the face of the Father’s love interacting with us in a love relationship. We want to become aware of how God has designed our bodies and minds for healing and the repair that only His love can bring. We also want to see the freedom He has for us in everyday life as we walk with Him above the troubled waters of this world; He has provided a bridge for us!
Be encouraged by this fact: in the Scriptures Jesus is called “Emmanuel”, which is translated “God with Us”. This means that He also experienced the stress of living in this world. He knows how to lead us through these troubled waters because He also has experienced all we have or will experience. His protection and safety was in His love relationship with the Father; this is available for us as well!
God’s original DESIGN for us could be stated: YOU ARE DESIGNED TO BE IN A LOVING RELATIONSHIP WITH ME. YOU ARE DESIGNED TO LOVE YOURSELF AND YOU ARE DESIGNED TO RECEIVE LOVE FROM, AND TO GIVE LOVE TO, OTHERS. But most of us are a mix of being mentally healthy as well as a struggling with the roots of toxicity (woundedness) in our thoughts, emotions and body. When we experience disturbing relationships and events in this WORLD that are contrary to how He has designed us, we will experience TROUBLE within, and TROUBLE in, relationships.
This DESIGN actually reflects what Jesus did, and what He told us to do: “Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence. This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: love others as well as you love yourself. These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs on them.” (Matthew 22, MSG)
Awesomely, in His wonderful DESIGN, He has fashioned our minds and bodies not only to be protected and survive the “trouble in this world”, but to be renewed, healed and thrive! Even more exciting, as part of this wonderful DESIGN, He equips us to have a relationship with Him on an everyday basis. “For in Him we live and move and have our being …. For we are also His offspring.” (Acts17:28 AMPC).
As His children, we receive the outpouring of His Holy Spirit Who comes and dwells within our heart, which is the core center of what we believe and our overall attitude of mind. Our heart is the collection of all our thoughts and emotions; the foundation of our beliefs, motivation, hope and peace. (Romans 8:6-7). We invite Jesus into our “heart”.
Christian neuroscientist, Dr. Caroline Leaf, in her book entitled: “Who Switched Off My Brain? - Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions”, states: “We can see clearly how brain science lines up with Scripture - that your mind can be renewed, that toxic thoughts and emotions can be swept away and your brain really can be “switched on”. Dr. Leaf goes on further to state: “God has given us a design of hope: we can switch on our brains, renew our minds, change and heal.” (pg. 16 - see Credits at the end)
Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D., is a psychiatrist, founder and medical director of the Trauma Center in Brookline, Massachusetts. He is also a professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and director of the National Complex Trauma Treatment Network. Consider this quote in his book: “The Body Keeps the Score”: “If we look beyond the list of specific symptoms that entail formal psychiatric diagnoses, we find that almost all mental suffering involves either trouble in creating workable and satisfying relationships or difficulties in regulating arousal (as in the case of habitually becoming enraged, shut down, overexcited, or disorganized). Usually it’s a combination of both. The standard medical focus on trying to discover the right drug to treat a particular ‘disorder’ tends to distract us from grappling with how our problems interfere with our functioning as members of our tribe.” (Pgs 78-79, see Credits at the end)
Could it be that both the world in general and scientific study in particular are beginning to agree with what Jesus revealed as the reality of TROUBLE in this world?
(Part #1) We Are Designed for Love!
We need to look no further than our own hearts to know we are designed for love. Our hearts are “broken” when our love is not accepted, or when we lose a loved one. We gather together in times of crisis for comfort and to receive and give care and kindness. We struggle when we are alone; loneliness is stressful and wounding. We can all relate with empathy to those hurt by betrayal, abandonment or having been intentionally harmed by others. Scripture tells us we are created in the image and likeness of God and that God is described as a loving God. More importantly, however, is that God is described as Love itself!
Recent research in the field of psychology and neurology validates the truth of our need for love. We want to see and understand the wounding that happens to our minds, hearts and bodies when we experience circumstances which do not nurture our core needs, needs such as safety, belonging, significance, etc. Most important, however, is that we see how God has designed our minds, hearts and bodies with the capacity to be healed, renewed and comforted! Let’s look at the following four research studies to better help us understand ourselves, and our need to experience, receive and give LOVE.
The first study that will be considered is the YouTube video “Still Face Experiment” with Dr. Edward Tronick. Click HERE, then click on “Still Face Experiment: Dr. Edward Tronick” to watch it.
This experiment is a powerful visual showing how we, from a very early age, even before we can speak, are affected by the social interactions experienced with our early care-givers. These early interactions begin to build (either positively or negatively) the foundational perceptions of comfort, safety, trust, hope, empathy, as well as the capacity for bonding and intimacy. It is important to note that, even though the connection or attunement between the mother and child was broken for a time, the repair and return to a sense of safety and positive connection was able to be restored.
As you view this video, think of the Psalm 105: 4 (NIV) “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” And Psalm 34:5 (NIV): “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”
The second study we will consider is entitled the “Adverse Childhood Experiences” (ACEs). Refer to the following website for more information www.samhsa and www.cdc.gov . You may also want to refer to www.acestoohigh.com.
This study was developed to determine if there was a connection between adverse childhood experiences and the development of long term negative effects, especially in the development of medical issues. The significant conclusion in this study reads: “Research has demonstrated a strong relationship between the “ACEs” in a person’s history and the development of substance-use disorders and behavioral problems. When children are exposed to chronic stressful events, their neurodevelopment can be disrupted. As a result, the child’s cognitive functioning or ability to cope with negative or disruptive emotions may be impaired.” Refer to www.samhsa.gov.
The adverse child experiences as listed in this study include the following:
Physical, sexual and emotional abuse,
Physical and emotional neglect,
Intimate partner violence, particularly to the mother,
Substance misuse within the household,
Household mental illness,
Parental separation and divorce,
Incarceration of a household member. (www.samhsa.gov)
Consider, as you note what is defined as adverse childhood experiences, the absence of or loss of love and care inherent in these life events and relationships. What is taking shape in the hearts and mind of children through these experiences?
The third study we will consider is the work of Erick Erickson. This study is the study of the core needs we are using as a base in Comfort.Guide. See httpl://www.simplypsychology.org/.psychosocial-stages.png.
Erickson proposed that perceptions of self and interactive social skills are developed during certain stages of life, beginning at birth. During each of these stages the person is developing (either positively or negatively) a perception of themselves and a set of life-skills. A positive perception results in a healthy personality and an ability to interact in society in an intimate and purposeful way. These positive perceptions result in: hope, will, purpose, competency, fidelity, love, care, and wisdom.
Erik Ericson’s work is also shown in more detail in www.Comfort.Guide. Click on "WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW"; human core needs are described there. Of special interest to us is this conclusion: if core needs are undermined, how do we come to believe in a God we can trust? How do we trust and love ourselves? And how do we form skills in communication for intimacy and purpose?
The fourth study to be considered is the “Attachment Theory”.
Dr. John Bowlby is particularly noted for the development of this theory. In one of his works he defined attachment as a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings.” This theory proposes that a person’s ability to self-sooth and regulate stressful emotions, as well as experience positive emotions and connections with others as adults, develops through the quality of attachments and “attunement” with their early childhood relationships, particularly their mother.
The aspect of attunement is important in that there is a deeper connection that occurs between people than just having their needs met; rather, it involves a give-and-take response that goes beyond empathy. The Miriam-Webster dictionary defines attunement as a reciprocal connection of emotions and an unbroken feeling of connectedness between people. Attunement involves a rhythm of being together that is mutually understood, nurturing and safe. It’s the exact opposite of when a child, or adult, is objectified. The term “objectified” used here is to describe interactions where one person sees the other only as an object, or tool, that is useful to them; they simply cannot see the other person’s unique worth or meaningfulness.
Therefore, depending on the quality of these interactions, the growing child will develop an identifiable pattern of attachment that as an adult ranges from secure, to avoidant, to ambivalent, to finally disorganized. You may want to refer back to the “Still Face Experiment” and consider the positive attunement between a child and a parent. An excellent website for further study is www.mindfulnessforchristians.com.
Excellent questions we would want to ask as we begin the journey of Comfort.Guide would be:
Am I living only in fear-based survival mode, OR in the opposite which is living in safety, love and freedom?
How often do I feel bowed down and weary, trapped and powerless?
What are my thoughts and emotions about myself, others and God, that are fearful, shameful and hurtful?
Am I stuck in patterns of anger and the resulting tendency of unforgiveness?
Where do I have difficulty loving myself, receiving love and giving love?
How does this affect my everyday life and relationships?
All the above questions help us gauge if we are trapped simply in survival mode, as we grapple with “trouble” in our world.
As we continue this journey of receiving healing, we will look at how we are designed for protection and survival in Part #2. In Part #3 we will look at how to access all the healing God has in mind for each of us. Finally, in Part #4, we will look at “Triggers” that influence us in a harmful way, and the Healing of the Memories that cause them.
CREDITS AND REFERENCES…
Amen, D. G., M. D., “Change Your Brain, Change Your Life”. Times Books, New York, NY. (Amen, 1998)
Bowlby, J., “Attachment. Attachment and Loss”. New York, NY, Basic Books. (Bowlby, J., 1969)
Goleman, D., “Social Intelligence”. Bantam Dell, New York, NY. (Goleman, 2006)
Leaf, C. M., Ph.D, “Who Switched Off My Brain”- Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Emotions”. Improv, Ltd. (Leaf, 2009)
Schiraldi, G. R., Ph.D., “The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook”. McGraw Hill. (Schiraldi, 2009)
Shapiro, F., Ph.D. and Forrest, M.S., “EMDR”. Basic Books, New York, NY. (Shapiro, 1997)
Upton, Jennifer, Eagles Wings Counseling Center, Sarasota and Venice, FL. Adapted from Rodgers, Dr. Tom and Dr. Beverly, “Soul Healing Love”. Google Books. (Rodgers, 2006)
Van Der Kolk, B., M.D., The Body Keeps the Score”. Viking/Penguin, New York, NY. (Van Der Kolk, 2014)
Whitfield, C. L., M.D., “Healing the Child Within”. Health Communications, Deerfield Beach, FL. (Whitfield, 1987)
Young, Sarah, “Jesus Lives: Seeing His Love in your Life”. Google Books. (Young, 2009)
Click HERE to read "Wonderfully Made" - 2