The Christian Mind Reset | Episode 24, Season 1 Show Notes Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved passages in all of Scripture, but what if we’ve only scratched the surface of what David was teaching? In this episode of The Christian Mind Reset, we take a deep dive into Psalm 23, verse by verse, through the lens of both Scripture and neuroscience. Together, we’ll discover how the Good Shepherd leads us from fear to trust, from striving to surrender, from survival mode to soul rest. We’ll explore why sheep will only lie down when they feel safe, why they’re led beside still waters, what it means for God to restore our souls, and how every verse of Psalm 23 paints a beautiful picture of the rest Jesus later offers in Matthew 11 when He says, “Come to Me... and I will give you rest.” Along the way, we’ll examine what chronic stress does to the brain, nervous system, immune system, heart, and body, and why modern neuroscience confirms what Scripture has been teaching for thousands of years: we were never designed to live in constant survival mode. You’ll also learn about allostatic load, the body’s stress response, secure attachment, and how the presence of the Good Shepherd provides the safety our minds and bodies were created to experience. If you’ve been feeling anxious, overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, burned out, or simply weary, this episode is an invitation to slow down, lift your eyes to the Shepherd, and discover the kind of rest that reaches far deeper than sleep. Because Psalm 23 isn’t simply about comfort. It’s about learning to trust the One who leads us beside still waters, restores our souls, walks with us through every valley, prepares a table in the presence of our enemies, and faithfully leads us all the way home. In This Episode • Psalm 23 explained verse by verse• What sheep teach us about anxiety, trust, and rest• The neuroscience and psychology of chronic stress and survival mode• Why your brain and nervous system need safety to truly rest• Matthew 11 and Jesus’ invitation to find rest for your soul• The Good Shepherd, secure attachment, and emotional resilience• How Scripture renews the mind and calms the anxious heart• Practical ways to rest in God’s presence this week Key Scriptures * Psalm 23 * Matthew 11:28–30 * Psalm 91:1 * Psalm 62:1 * John 10:11 * John 10:27 * Isaiah 26:3 * Proverbs 3:5–6 * 1 Peter 5:7 * Philippians 3:20 * Hebrews 12:2 * Hebrews 13:14 * Colossians 3:2 Connect with Dr. April Joy: Connect with Dr. April Joy: Substack: The Christian Mind Reset If you liked today’s episode, please subscribe, leave a review, follow, like, or share. You can find me on Instagram at @thechristianpsychnp and also on Instagram and Substack at The Christian Mind Reset for more Scripture, neuroscience, and practical tips for renewing your mind. Listen to The Christian Mind Reset on Apple, Spotify, and Substack. My eBook, The Christian Mind Reset: A 28-Day Psalms Guide to Biblical Meditation, Neuroscience, and Renewing Your Mind, is available in my Stan Store at https://stan.store/thechristianpsychnp and on my Substack. References American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Stress effects on the body. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/body Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). Stress signaling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(6), 410–422. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2648 Bar-Haim, Y., Lamy, D., Pergamin, L., Bakermans‐Kranenburg, M. J., & van IJzendoorn, M. H. (2007). Threat-related attentional bias in anxious and nonanxious individuals: A meta-analytic study. Psychological Bulletin, 133(1), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.133.1.1 Bowlby, J. (1982). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment (2nd ed.). Basic Books. (Original work published 1969) Coan, J. A., Schaefer, H. S., & Davidson, R. J. (2006). Lending a hand: Social regulation of the neural response to threat. Psychological Science, 17(12), 1032–1039. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01832.x Cohen, S., & Wills, T. A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98(2), 310–357. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.98.2.310 Dhabhar, F. S. (2014). Effects of stress on immune function: The good, the bad, and the beautiful. Immunologic Research, 58(2–3), 193–210. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12026-014-8517-0 Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377 Grupe, D. W., & Nitschke, J. B. (2013). Uncertainty and anticipation in anxiety: An integrated neurobiological and psychological perspective. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 14(7), 488–501. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn3524 Harvard Health Publishing. (2022). The gut-brain connection. Harvard Medical School. https://www.health.harvard.edu Heinrichs, M., Baumgartner, T., Kirschbaum, C., & Ehlert, U. (2003). Social support and oxytocin interact to suppress cortisol and subjective responses to psychosocial stress. Biological Psychiatry, 54(12), 1389–1398. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3223(03)00465-7 Keller, W. P. (1970). A shepherd looks at Psalm 23. Zondervan. Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer. Mayo Clinic. (2024). Chronic stress puts your health at risk. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037 McEwen, B. S. (1998). Protective and damaging effects of stress mediators. The New England Journal of Medicine, 338(3), 171–179. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199801153380307 McEwen, B. S. (2017). Neurobiological and systemic effects of chronic stress. Chronic Stress, 1, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2470547017692328 Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2007). Attachment in adulthood: Structure, dynamics, and change. Guilford Press. Newberg, A. B., & Waldman, M. R. (2009). How God changes your brain: Breakthrough findings from a leading neuroscientist. Ballantine Books. Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W. W. Norton & Company. Segerstrom, S. C., & Miller, G. E. (2004). Psychological stress and the human immune system: A meta-analytic study of 30 years of inquiry. Psychological Bulletin, 130(4), 601–630. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.130.4.601 Southwick, S. M., & Charney, D. S. (2018). Resilience: The science of mastering life’s greatest challenges (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. Yao, Y., et al. (2024). Immunology of stress: A review. Journal of Translational Medicine. (Review article on stress, inflammation, and immune function.) Disclaimer: This podcast/letter is for informational purposes only. It contains general information, drawn from my experience, research, and best practices. It is not health care advice, and is not intended to replace the counsel of your health care provider. Consult your provider before starting any new treatments or making changes to your health routine. This message does not constitute a provider-patient relationship between us. If you are experiencing significant anxiety, distress, or need support, please seek care from a qualified healthcare professional. You may also consider reaching out to a licensed Christian counselor or pastor for additional support. Emails, portal messages, text messages, and other communications are not monitored and will not receive a response in an emergency or crisis, or regarding medical or therapy advice. These methods should never be used for medical advice, therapy, urgent, crisis, emergent, or time-sensitive concerns. If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, are in crisis, have thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, call 911 (US), contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room or hospital immediately This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thechristianmindreset.substack.com
