Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] John 14:27

Studies have revealed that stress and tension can be reduced by taking slow deep breaths and repeating a word or phrase that comforts you. Studies have also found that meditating on love, God’s love, strengthen neurological connections that help us feel compassion toward others. Conversely, negative fearful religious thinking, actually hurt the anterior cingulate and can cause a person to act aggressively towards others.

As believers in Christ, we have become a new creation. Jesus gives us His righteous and His peace as a gift. We receive His righteousness and His peace by faith. Righteousness can not be earned. Isaiah 62:4 says that we shall be called Hephzibah which means He delights in her. The Lord delights in you. Meditate on His peace and His love this week. Shalom