The phrase “Give thanks to the Lord” is repeated over and over in Psalm 136. Do you ever wonder why?
Neuroscientists have discovered the amygdala uses 2/3 of its neurons to detect negative experiences.
So, when the brain discovers bad news, that bad news or negative experience is stored in LONG-TERM MEMORY immediately.
But when neuro-scientists watch our brains – and how the neurons are firing – when our brain encounters something positive…something good…something for which we might be grateful… we have to hold that experience in our awareness for more than 12 seconds in order to transfer from short-term to long-term memory.
Rick Hanson has his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and is the author of several books including “Hardwiring Happiness.”
He describes the work of the amygdala this way, “The brain is like Velcro for negative experiences but Teflon for positive ones.”
If we are going to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, it’s important for our minds to be full of memories of the good work God is doing in our lives.
Psalm 136:23 tells us God remembers us in our weakness.
Repeatedly giving thanks to the Lord helps us remember the faithful love of the Lord which endures forever!
Questions for reflection:
- What’s your preferred method of giving things to the Lord? Worship? Prayer? Journaling? Other?
- Is it difficult or easy for you to believe God remembers you in your weakness? Why?