While writing this article I am listening to Christian Dixie Blues and have a tube of Cocoa Butter Hand Cream nearby on the desk. A weird combination…maybe?? It got me thinking though.
What does hand cream do? It soothes and smooths dry skin. What does a chilled Blues guitar tune do? It soothes and smooths the mind and consequently, the body…for some people.
The question needs to be asked though: What makes soothing and smoothing necessary? For the dry skin, it is obvious – welcome to getting older!!! But for the mind and body, that is different. Why might people need soothing of the mind, spirit or soul? A little research suggests the following 5 main reasons:
1. Stress Reduction
2. Mood Regulation
3. Pain relief
4. Anxiety Reduction
5. Coping with Depression (Uvnäs-Moberg et al., 2015; Gračanin et al., 2014)
I wonder, are these issues more prevalent today than in previous decades????
Apparently, yes, because of: Increased exposure to global events; technological changes; economic pressures; social media and comparison; work-related stress; environmental concerns; changes in family and relationship dynamics and shifting social norms; information overload (Chu et al., 2024).
These are all very ‘worldly’ reasons.
If, however, we read Matthew 6:34, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 1:9, Philippians 4:6-7, John 14:27, Psalm 55:22, Psalm 46:10, and Matthew 6:25-27, I suggest that different reasons emerge. From these scriptures we can surmise God desires to be the central point of reference and source of fundamental wellbeing, comfort, soothing and truth for all humankind. He knows this relationship is best for His creation and the farther humankind strays from that reality, the less access we have to…
· an unchanging standard for truth and morality in a constantly changing world
· a transcendent perspective that goes beyond our limitations and cultural shifts
· a coherent explanation for the existence of universal laws, such as logic and morality
· a framework for understanding both unity and diversity in the world through concepts like the Trinity
· a source of strength and guidance in facing life’s challenges
· a basis for understanding human dignity and worth, as all are created in God’s image
· a framework for interpreting both natural and spiritual realities
I encourage all of us to keep God where He belongs – central in our lives: Our thinking, our decisions, our actions, our words…our everything and everywhere!
So today and for all days to come remember…
Be still, and know that I am God. Ps 46:10
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Ps 55:22
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isa 41:10
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Matt 6:34
References
Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Handlin, L., & Petersson, M. (2015). Self-soothing behaviors with particular reference to oxytocin release induced by non-noxious sensory stimulation. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1529. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01529
Gračanin, A., Bylsma, L. M., & Vingerhoets, A. J. (2014). Is crying a self-soothing behavior?. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 502. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00502
Chu B, Marwaha K, Sanvictores T, et al., (2024). Physiology, Stress Reaction. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
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