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Podcast Season 1, Episode 4

Neuroplasticity and Freedom from Shame: Biblical Declarations for Renewing the Mind

Find freedom from shame and discover a new sense of identity through God’s Word. If shame makes you feel disqualified, damaged, or invisible, this episode shows how Jesus brings beauty from brokenness and restores what has been lost. Learn why shame is a lie that targets your identity, and how you can replace it with biblical truth that brings confidence and healing.

In this episode, Dr. April Joy shares practical insights from both Scripture and neuroscience, explaining how shame triggers threat responses in the brain, which can lead to withdrawal, anxiety, and feeling disconnected. She shares stories of biblical figures like David, Paul, and Jacob to show how God moves toward people who carry shame and turns their failures into stories of grace. You’ll also hear how Jesus’ compassionate actions, reaching out to those who felt rejected, offer real hope against the grip of shame.

We cover topics such as:

· The difference between guilt and shame, and why shame attacks your identity

· How shame activates fear and threat responses in your brain, fueling feelings of separation

· Biblical examples of redemption: David’s repentance, Paul’s transformation, Jacob’s renaming

· Practical declarations and prayers to renew your mind and reclaim your worth

· How Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross took shame’s power away and invites you into freedom

If you’re tired of feeling like shame defines you, this episode offers hope and healing based on Scripture. Listen in if you want to learn how to break free from shame and walk confidently in the identity God gives you: restored, loved, and redeemed in Christ. Whether you struggle with past mistakes, feelings of unworthiness, or just need encouragement to see yourself as God does, this episode gives you practical tools and biblical promises to help you walk in freedom. Remember, shame is a lie, and God’s Word brings freedom.

Dr. April Joy is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, Bible teacher, and neuroscience enthusiast who helps believers renew their minds with truth. She brings together spiritual wisdom and scientific understanding to guide you toward healing and confidence. Join us as we speak Scripture over shame and invite the Holy Spirit to bring deep change. Step into the freedom Jesus offers, because you are not your failures or your past. You are who God says you are: radiant, loved, and redeemed.

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.

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/THECHRISTIANPSYCHNP

Are you ready to let go of shame and embrace God’s truth? Press play and begin your journey to freedom today.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It contains general information and is not medical, mental health, therapy, or healthcare advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding medical or mental health concerns and before making changes to your healthcare routine.

If you are experiencing significant emotional distress, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional, licensed Christian counselor, or pastor.

Comments, emails, and messages are not monitored for emergencies and cannot be used to obtain medical or mental health advice. If you are experiencing a medical, psychiatric, or safety emergency, call 911, contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

The mind is a battlefield and is Spiritual Warfare. Guilt can be loud, relentless, and strangely familiar, even after you've confessed and asked God to forgive you. If you've ever caught yourself thinking, "I know God forgives me, but I can't forgive myself," this daily declaration is a gentle but direct reset. We slow down with a few calming breaths, then draw a bright line between conviction and shame: the Holy Spirit convicts us about what we did, while shame tries to rewrite who we are. That difference matters because one leads to life, repentance, and freedom in Christ. The other keeps us trapped in self-condemnation, guilt, shame, and could keep us from living out God's calling for our lives.

We spend time in Psalm 32 and let David's words speak for themselves: forgiven, covered, not counted against you. This is not a "try harder" pep talk. It's an invitation to trust God's authority and faithfulness when your feelings lag behind the truth. We also connect the spiritual weight of guilt with a practical neuroscience picture: alarm systems are meant to warn you and then quiet down. When the alarm never shuts off, it becomes exhausting. Many believers live with internal spiritual alarms that God has already silenced through the cross.

Then we replace guilt with truth through biblical declarations anchored in Romans 8:1, 1 John 1:9, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and Ephesians 2:8-9. We say out loud what God says is true: you are forgiven, your debt is paid, your past does not define you, and grace is a gift you don't earn. We close with prayer, asking God to renew our minds and help us stop carrying what He has already removed.

You can follow along in the corresponding ebook, A 28-day Psalms Guide to Biblical Meditation, Neuroscience, and Renewing Your Mind, Book 1 of The Christian Mind Reset Series by Dr. April Joy (links below), or in your Bible. 

Follow the podcast, leave a review, and share this with someone who needs freedom from guilt today. What's one line of truth you want to believe more deeply?

Subscribe, like, share, and give us a comment:

· https://www.instagram.com/THECHRISTIANPSYCHNP

· https://substack.com/@thechristianpsychnp

· https://stan.store/thechristianpsychnp  - The Christian Mind Reset, Book 1

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It contains general information and is not healthcare, medical, or therapy advice. Content does not replace the counsel of your professional healthcare provider, nor does it establish a provider-patient relationship. Always consult your provider before changing your health routine.

If you are experiencing significant anxiety or distress, please seek care from a qualified healthcare professional, licensed Christian counselor, or pastor.

Emails, comments, and messages are not monitored for emergencies and will not receive a response regarding medical or therapy advice. Do not use these methods for urgent concerns. If you are in crisis, having thoughts of self-harm, or experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911 (US), contact local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Your mind has grooves, and you can feel them when the same shame script plays on repeat. Today, we slow things down and start Day 1 of The Christian Mind Reset with Meditation on the most foundational topic of all: Identity. I’m Dr. April Joy, a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, psychotherapist, Bible teacher, and student of neuroscience, and I’ll guide you through Scripture-based declarations that anchor who you are in Christ, not in your past, your performance, or your worst moment. 

We talk about why words matter both biblically and neurologically. Neuroscience shows that repeated thoughts and repeated attention strengthen pathways in the brain, which is why certain fears and labels can start to feel “automatic.” Scripture has been teaching this for generations through meditation on God’s Word and the renewing of the mind. These declarations are not manifestations or positive thinking. They’re God’s truth spoken back to our hearts as we learn to replace lies with truth, fear with faith, shame with grace, and striving with surrender. 

You’ll be led through a calm, reflective pace with Psalm 139, Romans 8, Romans 12, Isaiah 43, Romans 5, and a closing reading of Psalm 1. We’ll ask honest questions like, "What labels have I accepted that God never gave me?" Then we’ll practice releasing those labels and receiving what God declares, letting the Holy Spirit do the transforming work. 

If this helped you, subscribe so you don’t miss the next day, share it with a friend who’s carrying heavy labels, and leave a review so more listeners can find this Christian mental health and Bible-based mind renewal series. Like, subscribe, share, and please leave a review!! Your mind has grooves that become apparent when the same shameful thoughts play on repeat. Today, we will begin Day 1 of The Christian Mind Reset with a meditation on the most fundamental topic of all: Identity. I’m Dr. April Joy, a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, psychotherapist, Bible teacher, and student of neuroscience. I’ll guide you through Scripture-based declarations that anchor your identity in Christ, rather than in your past, your performance, or your worst moments.

We’ll discuss the significance of words from both a biblical and neurological perspective. Neuroscience shows that repeated thoughts and focused attention strengthen pathways in the brain, which is why certain fears and labels can start to feel “automatic.” Scripture has taught this principle for generations through meditation on God’s Word and the renewing of our minds. These declarations are not mere manifestations or positive thinking; they are God’s truth spoken to our hearts as we learn to replace lies with truth, fear with faith, shame with grace, and striving with surrender.

You will be led through a calm, reflective pace, covering passages from Psalm 139, Romans 8, Romans 12, Isaiah 43, Romans 5, and concluding with a reading of Psalm 1. Together, we will explore honest questions like, "What labels have I accepted that God never gave me?" We will practice releasing those labels and receiving what God declares, allowing the Holy Spirit to do the transforming work in our lives.

If you find this helpful, please subscribe so you don’t miss the next session, share it with a friend who’s carrying heavy labels, and leave a review to help others discover this Christian mental health and Bible-based mind renewal series. Remember to like, subscribe, share, and leave a review! 

Subscribe, like, share, and give us a comment:

· https://www.instagram.com/THECHRISTIANPSYCHNP

· https://substack.com/@thechristianpsychnp

· https://stan.store/thechristianpsychnp  - The Christian Mind Reset, Book 1

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It contains general information and is not healthcare, medical, or therapy advice. Content does not replace the counsel of your professional healthcare provider, nor does it establish a provider-patient relationship. Always consult your provider before changing your health routine.

If you are experiencing significant anxiety or distress, please seek care from a qualified healthcare professional, licensed Christian counselor, or pastor.

Emails, comments, and messages are not monitored for emergencies and will not receive a response regarding medical or therapy advice. Do not use these methods for urgent concerns. If you are in crisis, having thoughts of self-harm, or experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911 (US), contact local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Dr. April Joy explores the profound connection between neuroscience and scripture, emphasizing how God’s design enables us to renew our minds, overcome old patterns, and experience transformation through the Holy Spirit. This episode offers practical insights on biblical meditation, neuroplasticity, and spiritual renewal.

Subscribe, share, and walk with us in the ongoing renewal of the mind.

· https://www.instagram.com/THECHRISTIANPSYCHNP

· https://substack.com/@thechristianpsychnp

· https://stan.store/thechristianpsychnp

The Christian Mind Reset, Book 1 https://stan.store/thechristianpsychnp

Sources /Websites Mentioned:

Andrew Newberg’s research on neurotheology - https://www.neurotheology.com

Book: When You Don’t Have the Words by Reed Dunn

References

·- Baxter et al. (1992). Brain metabolism changes following medication and behavioral therapy for OCD. PMID: 1514872.

- Bible Hub — Strong’s Hebrew 1897 (hāgâ).

- Bible Hub — Strong’s Hebrew 7878 (sîaḥ).

- Bible Hub — Lexicon for Philippians 4:8.

- Draganski et al. (2004). Training-induced changes in brain gray matter (neuroplasticity). Nature.

- Dunn, R. S. (2025). When You Don't Have the Words: Praying the Psalms. Lexham Press.

- Fox et al. (2015). Neural correlates of gratitude. PMID: 26483740.

- Goldberg et al. (2020). Smartphone-based meditation improves well-being and reduces psychological distress. PMID: 33245288.

- Hebb, D. O. (1949). The Organization of Behavior: A Neuropsychological Theory.

- Karns et al. (2017). Gratitude practice increases altruistic neural responses. PMID: 29375336.

- Kral et al. (2018). Mindfulness meditation and amygdala reactivity. PMID: 29990584.

- Lazar et al. (2005). Meditation is associated with increased cortical thickness. PMID: 16272874.

- Lutz et al. (2008). Attention regulation and meditation. PMID: 18329323.

- Lutz et al. (2009). Mental training enhances attentional stability. PMID: 19846729.

- Newberg, A. (2014). Neuroscientific study of spiritual practices. PMID: 24672504.

- Newberg et al. (2003). Cerebral blood flow during meditative prayer. PMID: 14658967.

Disclaimer: This letter /podcast 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, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, call 911 (US), or contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room or hospital immediately.

Podcast Season 1, Episode 5

The Christian Mind Reset Daily Reset: Silencing the Inner Critic with God’s Truth

Do you have an inner voice that constantly reminds you of your mistakes, shortcomings, or failures?

In today’s Daily Reset, Dr. April Joy explores the inner critic through both biblical and neuroscience lenses. Many of us speak to ourselves in ways we would never speak to someone we love. Over time, those repeated thoughts can become deeply ingrained patterns that shape how we see ourselves, others, and even God.

But familiar thoughts are not always true thoughts.

Drawing from Scripture, neuroplasticity research, and practical wisdom, you’ll learn why negative self-talk becomes so powerful, how repeated thoughts strengthen neural pathways, and what it means to take every thought captive in obedience to Christ.

Together, we’ll explore how David modeled biblical self-talk in Psalm 42 by honestly acknowledging his discouragement while intentionally redirecting his heart toward hope in God.

In This Episode:

* Why the inner critic feels so convincing

* The difference between conviction and condemnation

* How negative self-talk shapes the brain over time

* What neuroscience teaches about repeated thought patterns

* Ethan Kross’s research on “chatter” and internal dialogue

* Why Christians are called to replace lies with truth, not simply think positively

* How David challenged discouragement in Psalm 42

* Practical declarations rooted in Scripture

Key Scripture:

* Romans 12:2

* Proverbs 18:21

* Psalm 42

* Jeremiah 29:11

* 2 Corinthians 10:5

Key Takeaway:

The goal is not positive thinking. The goal is truthful thinking. God’s truth is greater than our feelings, and through the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, we can learn to speak to ourselves the way God speaks to us—with truth, grace, and hope.

Resources:

The Christian Mind Reset eBook:A 28-Day Psalms Guide to Biblical Meditation, Neuroscience, and Renewing Your Mind

References

Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT). (2015). Tyndale House Publishers. (Original work published 1996)

Kross, E. (2021). Chatter: The voice in our head, why it matters, and how to harness it. Crown.

Kross, E., Bruehlman-Senecal, E., Park, J., Burson, A., Dougherty, A., Shablack, H., Bremner, R., Moser, J., & Ayduk, O. (2014). Self-talk as a regulatory mechanism: How you do it matters. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 106(2), 304–324. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035173

Connect with Dr. April Joy:

Follow along for daily encouragement, biblical meditation, neuroscience insights, and practical tools for renewing your mind.

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.

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/THECHRISTIANPSYCHNP

Are you ready to let go of shame and embrace God’s truth? Press play and begin your journey to freedom today.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It contains general information and is not medical, mental health, therapy, or healthcare advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding medical or mental health concerns and before making changes to your healthcare routine.

If you are experiencing significant emotional distress, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional, licensed Christian counselor, or pastor.

Comments, emails, and messages are not monitored for emergencies and cannot be used to obtain medical or mental health advice. If you are experiencing a medical, psychiatric, or safety emergency, call 911, contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

The Christian Mind Reset Daily Reset: Neuroscience and Fear

Fear to Faith: Biblical Declarations for Renewing the Mind

Fear is something every one of us experiences. Sometimes it serves a purpose. Sometimes it protects us. But sometimes fear keeps us living in imagined futures, rehearsing worst-case scenarios, and carrying burdens we were never meant to carry.

In today’s Daily Reset, Dr. April Joy explores the neuroscience of fear, the psychology of worry, and what Scripture teaches about trusting God in uncertain seasons. Together we’ll look at how the brain responds to perceived threats, why fear often disguises itself as wisdom, and how God’s presence calms both the soul and the nervous system.

Using Psalm 27, Isaiah 41, Matthew 6, and John 16, we’ll learn that the antidote to fear is not certainty about the future, but confidence in the God who holds the future.

In This Episode

* What fear is from a psychological perspective

* The role of the amygdala (the brain’s alarm center)

* How imagined threats can trigger real stress responses

* The Default Mode Network (DMN), worry, and rumination

* The Reticular Activating System (RAS) and attention

* Why fear often sounds like “being realistic.”

* The neuroscience of trust and safety

* What Jesus meant when He said not to worry about tomorrow

* How Moses, Peter, and David learned to trust God in fearful situations

* Psalm 27 and confidence in God’s presence

* Biblical declarations to renew your mind

Key Scriptures

Psalm 27

Psalm 56:3

Isaiah 41:10

Jeremiah 29:11

2 Timothy 1:7

Matthew 6:25-34

John 10:29

John 16:33

Isaiah 26:3

Key Takeaways

* Fear is a normal human response, not a character flaw.

* The brain can react to imagined threats almost as strongly as real ones.

* What we repeatedly focus on becomes easier for the brain to notice.

* Fear grows when we continually rehearse fear.

* Trust grows when we continually return to the truth.

* God’s answer to fear throughout Scripture is often His presence, not certainty.

* The goal is not fearlessness. The goal is confidence in God.

* Remembering God’s past faithfulness helps strengthen trust for future challenges.

* Neuroplasticity reminds us that repeated focus on God’s promises can strengthen pathways of trust.

Resources

The Christian Mind Reset eBook:A 28-Day Psalms Guide to Biblical Meditation, Neuroscience, and Renewing Your Mind

References

Holy Bible, New Living Translation. (2015). Tyndale House Publishers. (Original work published 1996).

Kosfeld, M., Heinrichs, M., Zak, P. J., Fischbacher, U., & Fehr, E. (2005). Oxytocin increases trust in humans. Nature, 435(7042), 673-676.

LeDoux, J. E., & Pine, D. S. (2016). Using neuroscience to help understand fear and anxiety: A two-system framework. American Journal of Psychiatry, 173(11), 1083-1093.

Zak, P. J. (2017). The neuroscience of trust. Management Research Review, 40(10), 1107-1117.

Connect with Dr. April Joy:

Connect with Dr. April Joy:

Instagram: @thechristianpsychnp

Substack: The Christian Mind Reset

Follow along for daily encouragement, biblical meditation, neuroscience insights, and practical tools for renewing your mind.

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.

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/THECHRISTIANPSYCHNP

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It contains general information and is not medical, mental health, therapy, or healthcare advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding medical or mental health concerns and before making changes to your healthcare routine.

If you are experiencing significant emotional distress, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional, licensed Christian counselor, or pastor.

Comments, emails, and messages are not monitored for emergencies and cannot be used to obtain medical or mental health advice. If you are experiencing a medical, psychiatric, or safety emergency, call 911, contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

Podcast Season 1, Episode 8

Forgiveness and Renewing the Mind | The Christian Mind Reset

SHOW NOTES

Forgiveness is one of the hardest things God asks us to do.

When we’ve been betrayed, rejected, hurt, abandoned, lied to, or treated unfairly, forgiveness can feel impossible. We want answers. We want justice. We want the pain to make sense.

Yet throughout Scripture, God repeatedly calls His people to forgive.

Why?

Is it because the wound wasn’t real?

No.

Is it because what happened was okay?

Absolutely not.

In today’s Christian Mind Reset, Dr. April Joy explores what the Bible teaches about forgiveness, why forgiveness matters to God, and how releasing bitterness can lead to greater freedom.

Drawing from Psalm 32, we’ll discuss the burden of carrying unresolved hurt, the freedom that comes from releasing what we’ve been holding onto, and the forgiveness we ourselves have received through Christ.

We’ll also briefly explore what modern psychology and neuroscience have discovered about forgiveness, emotional health, and healing, revealing that God’s wisdom often protects us in ways we may not fully understand.

Through Scripture, prayer, and biblical declarations, you’ll be encouraged to release your hurts to the Lord, trust Him with justice, and walk in the freedom Christ purchased for you.

In This Episode

• What forgiveness is and what forgiveness is not

• Why God commands believers to forgive

• The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation

• Why forgiveness does not require trust

• Healthy biblical boundaries

• Psalm 32 and the freedom of forgiveness

• The connection between forgiveness and emotional well-being

• Biblical declarations rooted in God’s Word

• A prayer for healing, wisdom, and freedom

Key Takeaways

Forgiveness is not saying what happened was okay.

Forgiveness is not forgetting.

Forgiveness is not reconciliation.

Forgiveness is not removing healthy boundaries.

Forgiveness is not returning to an unsafe situation.

Forgiveness is releasing the debt and entrusting justice to God.

The goal of forgiveness is not to change the past.

The goal is to prevent the past from continuing to control the present.

Most importantly, Christian forgiveness flows from the forgiveness we have received through Jesus Christ.

Scripture References

Psalm 32:1-12

Ephesians 4:32

Colossians 3:13

Romans 12:19

Psalm 55:22

Lamentations 3:22-23

2 Corinthians 12:9

Philippians 4:13

Matthew 18:21-22

Romans 8:28

Important Note

Forgiveness does not mean remaining in an abusive relationship.

Forgiveness does not require reconciliation.

Forgiveness does not require trust.

You can forgive someone and still maintain healthy boundaries.

If you are experiencing emotional, physical, sexual, financial, or spiritual abuse, seek help immediately from trusted authorities, emergency services, a domestic violence resource, your pastor, or a licensed professional. Seeking safety is not a lack of forgiveness.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, psychiatric, psychological, legal, or therapeutic advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a provider-patient relationship. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, thoughts of harming yourself or others, or are in a crisis, call 911, contact emergency services, or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

Connect with Dr. April Joy:

Connect with Dr. April Joy:

Substack: The Christian Mind Reset

Follow along for daily encouragement, biblical meditation, neuroscience insights, and practical tools for renewing your mind.

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.

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/THECHRISTIANPSYCHNP

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It contains general information and is not medical, mental health, therapy, or healthcare advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding medical or mental health concerns and before making changes to your healthcare routine.

If you are experiencing significant emotional distress, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional, licensed Christian counselor, or pastor.

Comments, emails, and messages are not monitored for emergencies and cannot be used to obtain medical or mental health advice. If you are experiencing a medical, psychiatric, or safety emergency, call 911, contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

REFERENCES

Farrow, T. F. D., Zheng, Y., Wilkinson, I. D., Spence, S. A., Deakin, J. F. W., Tarrier, N., Griffiths, P. D., & Woodruff, P. W. R. (2001). Investigating the functional anatomy of empathy and forgiveness. NeuroReport, 12(11), 2433-2438.

Luskin, F. (2002). Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness. HarperCollins.

Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2000). The role of rumination in depressive disorders and mixed anxiety/depressive symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 109(3), 504-511.

Toussaint, L. L., Worthington, E. L., Jr., & Williams, D. R. (Eds.). (2015). Forgiveness and Health: Scientific Evidence and Theories Relating Forgiveness to Better Health. Springer.

Worthington, E. L., Jr. (2006). Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Theory and Application. Routledge.

Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version® (NKJV). Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

Podcast Season 1, Episode 7

Anxiety, Hope, and the Presence of God | A Christian Mind Reset

SHOW NOTES

Have you ever noticed how anxiety often pulls you into a future that hasn’t happened yet?

Fear is typically a response to a real or immediate threat. Anxiety, on the other hand, often shows up as anticipation. It asks, “What if?” What if something goes wrong? What if I can’t handle it? What if the worst-case scenario happens?

In this episode of The Christian Mind Reset, Dr. April Joy explores the difference between fear and anxiety through both biblical and neuroscience lenses. You’ll learn how the brain’s threat detection system can respond to anticipated future problems as though they are happening in the present moment, why anxiety can feel so overwhelming, and how God’s presence provides a steady anchor in the middle of uncertainty.

Drawing on Psalm 131, Dr. Joy discusses what it means to quiet and calm the soul before the Lord, rather than to carry burdens God never intended us to carry. You’ll also hear how research on hope, trusted presence, and prayer aligns with biblical principles that God’s people have practiced for thousands of years.

Together, we’ll explore:

• The difference between fear and anxiety

• What happens in the brain when we anticipate future threats

• The role of the amygdala and the body’s stress response

• How a trusted presence can reduce feelings of threat and increase a sense of safety

• Why biblical hope is more than wishful thinking

• Research on prayer, anxiety, and emotional well-being

• How praise, gratitude, and focusing on God’s character can shift our attention away from fear

• Practical breath prayers and biblical declarations you can use throughout your day

Whether you’re facing uncertainty, struggling with anxious thoughts, or simply needing a reminder of God’s faithfulness, this episode will encourage you to slow down, breathe deeply, fix your mind on Christ, and place your hope in the One who already holds tomorrow.

Remember, true transformation comes through Christ. We are not merely changing thoughts. We are learning to renew our minds by fixing our eyes on the One who never changes.

Scripture References

Psalm 94:19

Psalm 131:1-3

Psalm 23:4

Psalm 56:3

Isaiah 26:3

Matthew 6:34

Romans 15:13

1 Thessalonians 5:17

1 Peter 5:7

Connect with Dr. April Joy:

Connect with Dr. April Joy:

Substack: The Christian Mind Reset

Follow along for daily encouragement, biblical meditation, neuroscience insights, and practical tools for renewing your mind.

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.

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/THECHRISTIANPSYCHNP

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It contains general information and is not medical, mental health, therapy, or healthcare advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding medical or mental health concerns and before making changes to your healthcare routine.

If you are experiencing significant emotional distress, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional, licensed Christian counselor, or pastor.

Comments, emails, and messages are not monitored for emergencies and cannot be used to obtain medical or mental health advice. If you are experiencing a medical, psychiatric, or safety emergency, call 911, contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

References

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

Fincham, F. D., Beach, S. R. H., Lambert, N. M., Stillman, T. F., & Braithwaite, S. R. (2022). Prayer and anxiety: Examining multidimensional prayer profiles and mental health outcomes. Journal of Religion and Health, 61(6), 4707-4725. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01699-6

Holy Bible, New Living Translation. (2015). Tyndale House Publishers. (Original work published 1996).

Hostinar, C. E., Sullivan, R. M., & Gunnar, M. R. (2014). Psychobiological mechanisms underlying the social buffering of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis: A review of animal models and human studies across development. Psychological Bulletin, 140(1), 256-282. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032671

Jacobson, K., Brown, J. W., et al. (2026). Proximal intercessory prayer for pain and anxiety in primary care: A randomized controlled trial. Annals of Family Medicine, May/June 2026.

New King James Bible. (2004). Thomas Nelson. (Original work published 1982).

Snyder, C. R. (2002). Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind. Psychological Inquiry, 13(4), 249-275. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1304_01

The Neuroscience of Grief and God's Comfort

SHOW NOTES

Grief is one of the most universal human experiences, yet it is never experienced exactly the same way twice.

Most people think of grief as something that follows death, but grief can emerge after any significant loss. We may grieve the loss of a loved one, a marriage, a dream, our health, financial security, a relationship, or even the life we thought we would be living by now.

As both a mental health professional and a student of neuroscience, I am continually amazed by how deeply grief affects the human mind and body. Research shows that grief impacts brain regions involved in attachment, memory, emotion, and even physical pain. In many ways, grief reflects the brain's attempt to adapt to a reality it never wanted to face.

The challenge is that our minds do not update overnight.

Our heads may know what has happened, but our hearts, our habits, and our expectations often take much longer to catch up. This is one reason grief can feel confusing, exhausting, and unpredictable. It is also why grief can resurface months or even years later.

In today's episode, we explore grief through the lens of Scripture, psychology, and neuroscience. We'll look at Psalm 34, Psalm 40, and the story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah's story reminds us that rebuilding is rarely neat or easy. The people worked with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other. The enemies had not disappeared. Some of the older men wept because the new temple did not look like the one they remembered. Yet God was still present in the process.

Many of us find ourselves in a similar season.

Sometimes we are grieving what was lost.

Sometimes we are grieving what never happened.

Sometimes we are grieving the life we imagined but never received.

Yet God is not intimidated by broken places. He is not discouraged by the rubble. He is not surprised by the detours. The same God who helped Nehemiah rebuild one stone at a time is still restoring lives today.

Healing does not always mean returning to what once was. Often, it means allowing God to build something new while carrying the memory of what has been lost.

If you are walking through grief today, my prayer is that this episode reminds you that God has not abandoned you in the rebuilding. He is near to the brokenhearted. He is faithful in the waiting. And He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.

Scriptures Referenced

Psalm 34:18Psalm 40:1–3Nehemiah 4:17–18Philippians 1:6

Connect with Dr. April Joy:

Connect with Dr. April Joy:

Substack: The Christian Mind Reset

Follow along for daily encouragement, biblical meditation, neuroscience insights, and practical tools for renewing your mind.

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.

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/THECHRISTIANPSYCHNP

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It contains general information and is not medical, mental health, therapy, or healthcare advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding medical or mental health concerns and before making changes to your healthcare routine.

If you are experiencing significant emotional distress, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional, licensed Christian counselor, or pastor.

Comments, emails, and messages are not monitored for emergencies and cannot be used to obtain medical or mental health advice. If you are experiencing a medical, psychiatric, or safety emergency, call 911, contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

APA REFERENCES

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

Bonanno, G. A. (2004). Loss, trauma, and human resilience: Have we underestimated the human capacity to thrive after extremely aversive events? American Psychologist, 59(1), 20–28.

Kübler-Ross, E. (1969). On death and dying. New York, NY: Macmillan.

O’Connor, M. F. (2022). The grieving brain: The surprising science of how we learn from love and loss. New York, NY: HarperOne.

Shear, M. K. (2015). Complicated grief. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(2), 153–160.

Stroebe, M., & Schut, H. (1999). The dual process model of coping with bereavement: Rationale and description. Death Studies, 23(3), 197–224.

Stroebe, M., & Schut, H. (2010). The dual process model of coping with bereavement: A decade on. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 61(4), 273–289.

SHOW NOTES

Rejection is one of those experiences that can cut deeper than almost anything else we face.

It can come from a parent, a spouse, a friend, a church, a job, or even from hopes that never materialized. Often, the pain of rejection lingers—not just because of what was said or done, but sometimes because of what was missing, what was withheld, or what never came.

Today, Dr. Joy will discuss rejection through the lens of Scripture, psychology, and neuroscience.

Why does rejection seem to hurt so much, sometimes even more than physical pain?

Why do those moments of being left out, abandoned, or overlooked stay with us for years, shaping how we see ourselves?

And how can we move forward so that rejection does not become the lens through which we see our identity?

We’ll examine the stories of Leah, David, and ultimately Jesus Himself—the One who was rejected, betrayed, abandoned, mocked, and crucified, yet remained secure in His Father’s love.

We’ll also discuss landmark neuroscience research showing that social rejection activates brain regions associated with the distressing experience of pain, helping explain why rejection can feel physically and emotionally overwhelming (Eisenberger et al., 2003).

Additionally, we’ll explore research demonstrating the profound importance of human connection. In a landmark meta-analysis involving more than 300,000 participants, Holt-Lunstad and colleagues found that strong social relationships were associated with a 50% greater likelihood of survival, highlighting the vital role of community, belonging, and connection in human flourishing (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010).

But most importantly, reminding you: rejection is something that happens to us, not who we are.

People may reject us.

Opportunities may pass us by.

Relationships may disappoint us.

But Scripture reminds us that our worth is not determined by human approval.

Our identity is found in Christ.

Psalm 27 offers one of the most comforting promises in Scripture:

“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”

If you have ever felt unseen, unwanted, overlooked, or simply left out, know that you are not alone—and this conversation is for you.

In This Episode

* Why rejection hurts so deeply

* The neuroscience of social exclusion

* How rejection can shape self-beliefs

* Leah’s longing to be loved

* David was overlooked before becoming king

* Jesus and the experience of rejection

* Why isolation often worsens emotional pain

* The importance of Christian community

* Finding identity in Christ rather than human approval

* Practical steps toward healthy connection and healing

Scriptures Referenced

Genesis 29:31–35

Psalm 27

Psalm 34:18

Isaiah 43:4

Isaiah 53:3

Jeremiah 31:3

Romans 8:38–39

Ephesians 1:4–6

Hebrews 4:15

Key Takeaway

Rejection may be part of your story, but it does not define you. You are chosen, loved, seen, and received by God. Human acceptance will always fall short, but the love of Christ is steady and secure.

Resources for Connection

If you have found yourself withdrawing in response to rejection or loneliness, I encourage you to take just one small step toward healthy connection this week.

* Join a Bible study or small group.

* Volunteer in your local church or community.

* Reach out to a trusted friend or family member.

* Connect with a pastor, Christian counselor, therapist, or mentor.

* Seek support through a grief, divorce, or recovery ministry if applicable.

Healing rarely happens in isolation. It often begins in the safety of honest, caring relationships.

Connect with Dr. April Joy:

Connect with Dr. April Joy:

Substack: The Christian Mind Reset

Follow along for daily encouragement, biblical meditation, neuroscience insights, and practical tools for renewing your mind.

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.

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/THECHRISTIANPSYCHNP

References

Eisenberger, N. I., Lieberman, M. D., & Williams, K. D. (2003). Rejection hurts: A common neural alarm system for physical and social pain. Science, 302(5643), 290–292. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1089134

Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. PLoS Medicine, 7(7), e1000316. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316

The Holy Bible: New King James Version. (1982). Thomas Nelson.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It contains general information and is not medical, mental health, therapy, or healthcare advice. Listening to this podcast does not establish a provider-patient relationship. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding medical or mental health concerns and before making changes to your healthcare routine.

If you are experiencing significant emotional distress, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional, licensed Christian counselor, or pastor.

Comments, emails, and messages are not monitored for emergencies and cannot be used to obtain medical or mental health advice. If you are experiencing a medical, psychiatric, or safety emergency, call 911 in the US, or contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

Episode 12, Season 1

SHOW NOTES

Have you ever felt like God is disappointed in you?

Have you ever confessed a sin, asked for forgiveness, and yet still found yourself replaying the same mistake over and over again?

Many Christians know they are forgiven in their heads, but continue to live as though they are condemned in their hearts.

In today’s episode of The Christian Mind Reset, Dr. April Joy explores the difference between conviction and condemnation through the lenses of Scripture, psychology, and neuroscience.

We’ll discuss how shame can become part of our identity, why the brain tends to rehearse painful memories and failures, and how condemnation often keeps us hiding from the very God who invites us to come near. We’ll also explore what research teaches us about self-condemning beliefs and how repeatedly identifying ourselves by our failures can shape the way we see ourselves.

Most importantly, we’ll look at what God’s Word says.

Through David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51, we’ll discover that God’s response to a repentant heart is not rejection but restoration. We’ll examine Paul’s journey from persecutor to apostle and the life-changing truth found in Romans 8:1:

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

If you’ve been carrying guilt, shame, regret, or the feeling that you have somehow gone too far for God’s grace, this episode is for you.

Your failure is not your identity.

Your shame is not your identity.

Your diagnosis is not your identity.

Your past is not your identity.

If you belong to Christ, your identity is found in Him.

Join us as we learn how to release condemnation, receive God’s grace, and renew our minds with what He says is true.

In This Episode

• The difference between conviction and condemnation

• Why shame often becomes an identity instead of an emotion

• What neuroscience teaches about self-beliefs and rumination

• David’s response to failure in Psalm 51

• Paul’s transformation from persecutor to apostle

• How to stop defining yourself by your past

• Practical ways to renew your mind with God’s truth

Key Scriptures

Psalm 51

Romans 8:1

John 3:16–17

Romans 5:8

1 John 1:9

Psalm 103:12

2 Corinthians 5:21

1 Corinthians 6:11

Philippians 3:13–14

Revelation 12:10

Resources

If you’re following along with The Christian Mind Reset series, my companion eBook, The Christian Mind Reset: A 28-Day Psalm Guide to Biblical Meditation, Neuroscience, and Renewing Your Mind, is available in my Stan Store. The guide includes daily Scripture readings, reflections, journaling prompts, practical exercises, neuroscience insights, and biblical meditation tools designed to help you renew your mind through God’s Word.

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.

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

Disclaimer

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 doctor-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.

If you are in crisis, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

References

Beck, A. T. (1976). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. International Universities Press.

Gilbert, P. (2005). Compassion: Conceptualisations, research and use in psychotherapy. Routledge.

Kross, E., & Ayduk, O. (2011). Making meaning out of negative experiences by self-distancing. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 20(3), 187–191.

Longe, O., Maratos, F. A., Gilbert, P., Evans, G., Volker, F., Rockliff, H., & Rippon, G. (2010). Having a word with yourself: Neural correlates of self-criticism and self-reassurance. NeuroImage, 49(2), 1849–1856.

Pennebaker, J. W., & Beall, S. K. (1986). Confronting a traumatic event: Toward an understanding of inhibition and disease. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 95(3), 274–281.\

Tangney, J. P., & Dearing, R. L. (2002). Shame and guilt. Guilford Press.Thomas Nelson. (2022). The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV). Thomas Nelson. (Original work published 1982).

Episode 11, Season 1

SHOW NOTES

Have you ever wondered, “Do I matter?”

It is a simple question, but for many people, it sits beneath years of striving, perfectionism, people-pleasing, comparison, and exhaustion.

In today’s Daily Reset, Dr. April Joy explores the psychology of mattering, the fundamental human need to feel valued, significant, and loved, and how Scripture answers the question many of us are afraid to ask out loud.

Drawing from Psalm 8, Romans 5, Ephesians 2, and the lives of Gideon, Moses, the Samaritan woman, the leper, and the Apostle Paul, we’ll discuss why so many people tie their worth to performance, productivity, approval, and achievement, and why God’s definition of worth is radically different.

You’ll learn about the psychology of mattering and anti-mattering, why feelings of unworthiness can leave us trapped in cycles of striving and self-doubt, and how God’s Word provides a foundation that is far more secure than success, appearance, accomplishments, or the opinions of others.

Most importantly, we’ll explore how the cross completely changes the way we define our value. The Gospel is not the story of worthy people finding God. It is the story of a gracious God pursuing people who could never earn His love on their own.

If you’ve ever struggled with feeling not good enough, unseen, forgotten, or as though you have to continually prove your value, this episode is for you.

In This Episode

The hidden question beneath perfectionism, people-pleasing, and comparison.

The psychology of mattering and anti-mattering.

Why do so many people base their worth on performance?

What Psalm 8 teaches about human dignity and value.

How the cross answers the question, “Do I matter?”

Biblical declarations to help renew your mind with God’s truth.

A practical exercise to help anchor your identity in Christ.

Key Scriptures

Psalm 8

Romans 5:8

Ephesians 2:8–9

Ephesians 2:13

John 1:12

Psalm 139:13–14

Galatians 3:26

Jeremiah 31:3

Reflection Question

What would change in your life if you truly believed that your worth was settled in Christ and not dependent on your performance?

Resources

If you’re following along with The Christian Mind Reset series, my companion eBook, The Christian Mind Reset: A 28-Day Psalm Guide to Biblical Meditation, Neuroscience, and Renewing Your Mind, is available in my Stan Store. The guide includes daily Scripture readings, reflections, journaling prompts, practical exercises, neuroscience insights, and biblical meditation tools designed to help you renew your mind through God’s Word.

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.

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

Disclaimer

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 doctor-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.

If you are in crisis, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

References

Flett, G. L. (2022). The psychology of mattering: Understanding the human need to be significant. Academic Press.

Giangrasso, B., Casale, S., Fioravanti, G., Flett, G. L., & Nepon, T. (2022). Mattering and anti-mattering in emotion regulation and life satisfaction: A mediational analysis of stress and distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 40(1), 125–141. https://doi.org/10.1177/07342829211056725

McComb, S. E., Goldberg, J. O., Flett, G. L., & Rose, A. L. (2020). The double jeopardy of feeling lonely and unimportant: State and trait loneliness, feelings, and fears of not mattering. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 563420. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.563420

Prilleltensky, I. (2020). Mattering at the intersection of psychology, philosophy, and politics. American Journal of Community Psychology, 65(1–2), 16–34. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12368

Thomas Nelson. (2022). The Holy Bible, New King James Version (NKJV). Thomas Nelson. (Original work published 1982).

SHOW NOTES

Have you ever had a thought enter your mind that felt disturbing, unwanted, or completely inconsistent with who you are?

Many Christians experience intrusive thoughts and immediately feel fear, guilt, or shame. They wonder if the thought means something about their character, their faith, or their relationship with God.

But what if the presence of a thought is not the same thing as agreement with a thought?

In today’s episode of The Christian Mind Reset, Dr. April Joy explores intrusive thoughts through the lens of Scripture, neuroscience, and psychology. You’ll learn what intrusive thoughts are, why they occur, what happens in the brain when unwanted thoughts become “sticky,” and how biblical principles align with what we know about attention, thought patterns, and neuroplasticity.

We’ll discuss the neuroscience behind intrusive thoughts, including the role of the amygdala (the brain’s alarm system), the hippocampus (memory processing), and the prefrontal cortex (reasoning and decision-making). We’ll also examine Daniel Wegner’s famous “White Bear” studies and why trying to force thoughts away often makes them more noticeable.

Most importantly, we’ll explore what Scripture teaches about taking thoughts captive, renewing the mind, and finding freedom from shame.

Today’s episode reminds us that we are not defined by every thought that enters our minds. Our identity is found in Christ.

In This Episode

• What intrusive thoughts are and why they are often misunderstood

• The difference between a thought, a temptation, and an action

• The neuroscience of intrusive thoughts explained in simple language

• Daniel Wegner’s thought suppression research and the “White Bear” experiments

• Why fighting a thought can sometimes make it feel stronger

• Psalm 139 and the comfort of being fully known by God

• What 2 Corinthians 10:5 means when it says to “take every thought captive”

• Neuroplasticity and how repeated focus shapes the brain

• Practical ways to respond to unwanted thoughts

• Biblical truths for overcoming shame and fear

Key Scriptures

Psalm 139:1-3

Psalm 139:23-24

Philippians 4:8

2 Corinthians 10:5

Romans 8:1

Romans 8:6

2 Timothy 1:7

1 Peter 5:7

Hebrews 4:15

Key Takeaway

The thought that arrives is not your identity.

Not every thought deserves your attention, agreement, or fear. Scripture teaches us to examine our thoughts, compare them against truth, and redirect our minds toward what is good, true, and praiseworthy. Through God’s Word, the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, and intentional focus, we can learn to respond to unwanted thoughts with wisdom rather than shame.

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.

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

Disclaimer

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, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, call 911 (US), or contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room or hospital immediately.

References

Anderson, M. C., & Green, C. (2001). Suppressing unwanted memories by executive control. Nature, 410(6826), 366–369.

Harvard Health Publishing. (2024). Managing intrusive thoughts. Harvard Medical School.

Norman, L. J., Taylor, S. F., Liu, Y., Radua, J., Chye, Y., & de Wit, S. J. (2019). Error processing and inhibitory control in obsessive-compulsive disorder: A meta-analysis. Biological Psychiatry, 85(9), 713–725.

Thomas Nelson. (1982). The Holy Bible, New King James Version. Thomas Nelson.

Wegner, D. M., Schneider, D. J., Carter, S. R., & White, T. L. (1987). Paradoxical effects of thought suppression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53(1), 5–13.

Episode 14, Season 1

SHOW NOTES

Why is it so hard to let go?

Why do we replay conversations, overthink decisions, strive for perfection, try to keep everyone happy, worry about tomorrow, and attempt to manage outcomes that haven’t even happened yet?

In today’s episode of The Christian Mind Reset, Dr. April Joy explores the connection between fear, control, anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, neuroscience, psychology, and biblical faith.

Many of us believe that if we can just plan enough, prepare enough, perform well enough, keep everyone happy enough, analyze enough, or worry enough, we will finally feel safe. Yet neuroscience shows that the brain often seeks control to reduce uncertainty and calm fear. Unfortunately, control rarely produces lasting peace.

In this episode, you’ll learn about the psychology of control, the neuroscience of uncertainty, and the fascinating concept known as the illusion of control—a cognitive bias first described by psychologist Ellen Langer that explains why humans often overestimate their ability to influence outcomes that are actually beyond their control.

We’ll also explore what Scripture says about surrender, trust, and faith through the story of Sarah, the wisdom of the Psalms, and Jesus’ powerful teaching:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things” (Matthew 6:34).

Together we’ll discuss:

• The connection between fear, anxiety, and control• How perfectionism and people-pleasing can be attempts to create safety• The neuroscience of uncertainty and the brain’s need for predictability• The amygdala, fear, and threat detection• The neuroscience of worry, rumination, and overthinking• The Illusion of Control (Ellen Langer, 1975)• Why control often feels safer than trust• Sarah’s struggle with God’s timing• Psalm 131 and the quieted soul• Psalm 46:10 and the biblical invitation to let go• The difference between preparation and worry• How faith differs from certainty• Practical declarations for renewing your mind• A guided Christian breath prayer for surrender

Whether you struggle with anxiety, overthinking, perfectionism, people-pleasing, fear of the future, uncertainty, intrusive thoughts, worry, trust issues, or difficulty surrendering control to God, this episode will encourage you to shift your focus from controlling outcomes to trusting the God who holds them.

Key Scriptures

Psalm 46:10

Psalm 55:22

Psalm 131:1–3

Proverbs 3:5–6

Isaiah 26:3

Matthew 6:25–34

Matthew 11:28–30

1 Peter 5:7

Romans 8:28

2 Timothy 1:7

Resources

The 28-Day Christian Mind Reset Guide: A Psalms-Based Journey Through Biblical Meditation, Neuroscience, and Renewing Your Mind

The Christian Mind Reset Podcast

Substack articles on neuroscience, psychology, neuroplasticity, biblical meditation, anxiety, fear, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and renewing the mind

Follow Dr. April Joy for Christian mental health education, neuroscience insights, and biblical encouragement.

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.

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

Disclaimer

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, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, call 911 (US), or contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room or hospital immediately.

References

Langer, E. J. (1975). The illusion of control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 32(2), 311–328. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.32.2.311

Thomas Nelson. (1982). The Holy Bible, New King James Version. Thomas Nelson.

Episode 15, Season 1

Show Notes

Why does perfectionism leave so many of us feeling exhausted, anxious, and never quite good enough?

In today’s episode of The Christian Mind Reset, Dr. April Joy explores the psychology, neuroscience, and biblical perspective on perfectionism. We discuss how perfectionism differs from healthy striving, why it is often rooted in fear rather than excellence, and how perfectionistic thinking can contribute to anxiety, procrastination, burnout, and chronic self-criticism.

Drawing from research by Thomas Curran, Paul Hewitt, Gordon Flett, Kristin Neff, and others, we examine why perfectionism has increased dramatically in recent decades and why many young adults report greater pressure than ever before to perform, achieve, and avoid mistakes. We also explore how perfectionism affects the brain, activating stress responses that can make mistakes feel like threats rather than opportunities for growth.

From a biblical perspective, we look at the story of Martha in Luke 10 and discover how Jesus responded not with condemnation, but with compassion. We also spend time in Psalm 103, reflecting on the comforting truth that God knows our frame and remembers that we are dust.

If you have ever struggled with feeling like you must earn your worth, prove yourself, or get everything right before you can rest, this episode is for you.

In This Episode

• The difference between healthy striving and unhealthy perfectionism

• Why perfectionism is often driven by fear of failure, criticism, and rejection

• The neuroscience of perfectionism, stress, and threat perception

• Why perfectionism and procrastination often go together

• What recent research says about the rise of perfectionism in young adults

• The connection between perfectionism, anxiety, depression, and burnout

• Martha, Mary, and the pressure to perform

• Self-compassion through a Christian lens

• Psalm 103 and God’s compassion for our humanity

• Practical strategies for overcoming perfectionism

• Guided declarations and prayer

Key Scriptures

Luke 10:41–42

Psalm 103:13–14

Romans 3:23

Philippians 1:6

Romans 15:7

Colossians 3:23

Matthew 11:28–30

Hebrews 12:2

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.

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

Disclaimer

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, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, call 911 (US), or contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room or hospital immediately.

References

Benedetto, L., et al. (2024). Well-Being and Perfectionism: Assessing the Mediational Role of Self-Compassion in Emerging Adults.

Curran, T., Pose, P. M., & Hill, A. P. (2026). Perfectionism is accelerating over time: A cross-temporal meta-analytic review of 35 years of college student data. Psychological Bulletin.

Egan, S. J., Wade, T. D., & Shafran, R. (2014). Perfectionism as a transdiagnostic process: A clinical review.

Galloway, R., et al. (2022). Meta-analysis of CBT interventions for perfectionism. Discussed in recent reviews showing CBT reduces perfectionism, anxiety, and depression symptoms.

Haidt, J. (2024). The Anxious Generation The anxious generation: How the great rewiring of childhood is causing an epidemic of mental illness. Penguin Press.

Hewitt, P. L., & Flett, G. L. (1991). Perfectionism in the self and social contexts: Conceptualization, assessment, and association with psychopathology. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60(3), 456–470.

Neff, K. D. (2003). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85–101.

Limburg, K., Watson, H. J., Hagger, M. S., & Egan, S. J. (2017). The relationship between perfectionism and psychopathology: A meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 73(10), 1301–1326. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22435

Smith, M. M., Sherry, S. B., Saklofske, D. H., Mushquash, A. R., & Flett, G. L. (2017). Clarifying the perfectionism–procrastination relationship: A meta-analysis. Journal of Research in Personality, 70, 57–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2017.04.002

Episode 16, Season 1

Show Notes

Why does comparison steal our peace so quickly?

In today’s episode of The Christian Mind Reset, we explore the psychology, neuroscience, and biblical perspective on comparison, envy, contentment, and keeping our eyes on God.

Using Psalm 73 as our anchor passage, we walk through Asaph’s honest struggle with comparison and discover how looking at everyone else’s life distorted his perspective. Long before psychologists studied social comparison, Scripture described what happens when we measure our lives against others.

We’ll discuss Social Comparison Theory, the impact of social media on mental health, what neuroscience reveals about the brain’s reward system and social comparison, and why gratitude and worship help restore perspective.

We’ll also look at Peter's comparison of himself to John, Paul’s teaching on examining our own work, and the invitation to run our own race with endurance.

If you’ve ever felt behind, overlooked, discouraged, or tempted to compare your life to someone else’s, this episode is for you.

In This Episode

• Psalm 73 and the psychology of comparison

• Why comparison often leads to discouragement and envy

• Leon Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory

• Social media, comparison, and mental health

• The neuroscience of comparison and the brain’s reward system

• Why the brain naturally notices what appears missing

• Peter, John, and Jesus’ response to comparison

• The vineyard workers and comparison-driven resentment

• Contentment as a learned skill

• Gratitude as an antidote to comparison

• The Comparison Audit exercise

• Daily declarations and prayer

Key Scriptures

Psalm 73:3

Psalm 73:17

Psalm 73:25–26

Psalm 16:6

John 21:20–22

Galatians 6:4–5

Hebrews 12:1–2

2 Corinthians 10:12

Ecclesiastes 4:4

Philippians 1:6

Philippians 4:11

Matthew 20:1–16

Key Takeaways

Comparison distorts perspective.

Worship restores perspective.

Nothing changed about Asaph’s circumstances. Nothing changed about God’s faithfulness. What changed was where Asaph fixed his attention.

Comparison asks, “Why them?”

Faith asks, “Lord, what have You entrusted to me?”

Comparison focuses on what is missing.

Gratitude helps us remember what God has already provided.

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.

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

Resources

The Christian Mind Reset Podcast

The 28-Day Christian Mind Reset Guide

Substack Articles on Neuroscience, Psychology, and Biblical Meditation

References

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

Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117–140.

Fliessbach, K., Weber, B., Trautner, P., Dohmen, T., Sunde, U., Elger, C. E., & Falk, A. (2007). Social comparison affects reward-related brain activity in the human ventral striatum. Science, 318(5854), 1305–1308.

Hunt, M. G., Marx, R., Lipson, C., & Young, J. (2018). No more FOMO: Limiting social media decreases loneliness and depression. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 37(10), 751–768.

Krasnova, H., Wenninger, H., Widjaja, T., & Buxmann, P. (2013). Envy on Facebook: A hidden threat to users’ life satisfaction. Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Systems.

Takahashi, H., Kato, M., Matsuura, M., Mobbs, D., Suhara, T., & Okubo, Y. (2009). When your gain is my pain and your pain is my gain: Neural correlates of envy and schadenfreude. Science, 323(5916), 937–939.

Wood, A. M., Froh, J. J., & Geraghty, A. W. A. (2010). Gratitude and well-being: A review and theoretical integration. Clinical Psychology Review, 30(7), 890–905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.005

Thanks for reading The Christian Mind Reset's Substack! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and podcasts, and support my work.

Disclaimer

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, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, call 911 (US), or contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room or hospital immediately.

Eisode 18, Season 1

Show Notes

Loneliness is more than an emotion. It affects the brain, the body, and the way we experience the world.

In today’s episode of The Christian Mind Reset, Dr. April Joy explores the neuroscience, psychology, and biblical perspective on loneliness. You’ll learn why social rejection activates some of the same brain regions involved in physical pain, how chronic loneliness impacts stress hormones and overall health, and why God designed human beings for connection.

Dr. Joy will discuss research on loneliness from neuroscientists such as Naomi Eisenberger and John Cacioppo, explore the surprising health benefits of strong relationships, and examine what Scripture teaches about friendship, community, and God’s presence during lonely seasons.

We’ll look at Genesis 2:18, Psalm 27, Psalm 34, David and Jonathan’s friendship, and the role of the church in helping us move from isolation toward connection.

Whether you’re walking through a season of loneliness, grieving a relationship, struggling to find community, or simply wanting to understand God’s design for human connection, this episode offers hope, practical encouragement, and biblical truth.

In This Episode

* What loneliness does to the brain

* Why social rejection can feel physically painful

* The role of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC)

* John Cacioppo’s research on chronic loneliness

* Cortisol, inflammation, and the stress response

* Loneliness in Gen Z and older adults

* Why healthy relationships improve mental and physical health

* Genesis 2:18 and God’s design for community

* David and Jonathan’s friendship

* The importance of church community and belonging

* How God remains present when we feel alone

* Practical steps toward building healthy relationships

Key Scriptures

* Genesis 2:18

* Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

* Proverbs 18:24

* Proverbs 27:17

* Psalm 27:10

* Psalm 34:18

* Hebrews 10:24-25

* 1 Thessalonians 5:11

* Matthew 28:20

* Hebrews 13:5

Key Takeaways

* Loneliness is both a psychological and biological experience.

* The brain processes social pain using some of the same neural networks involved in physical pain.

* Chronic loneliness can increase stress, inflammation, and emotional distress.

* Strong relationships are associated with better emotional health, resilience, and longevity.

* God created human beings for connection and community.

* Friendship is one of God’s gifts for encouragement, support, and growth.

* Even when human relationships are absent, God’s presence is not.

* Healing from loneliness often begins with one small step toward connection.

Practical Challenge

This week:

* Spend time meditating on Psalm 27:10.

* Reach out to one person through a text, phone call, or invitation.

* Pray specifically for godly friendships and community.

* Move beyond attending church and toward belonging by joining a group, volunteering, or introducing yourself to someone new.

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.

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

References

Baek, E. C., Hyon, R., López, K., Du, M., Porter, M. A., & Parkinson, C. (2021). Lonely individuals process the world in idiosyncratic ways. Nature Communications, 12, 639.

Cacioppo, J. T., & Cacioppo, S. (2018). The growing problem of loneliness. The Lancet, 391(10119), 426.

Cigna. (2020). Loneliness and the workplace: 2020 U.S. report.

Dunn, R. S. (2025). When you don’t have the words: Praying the Psalms. Lexham Press.

Eisenberger, N. I., Lieberman, M. D., & Williams, K. D. (2003). Does rejection hurt? An fMRI study of social exclusion. Science, 302(5643), 290–292.

Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., & Layton, J. B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. PLoS Medicine, 7(7), e1000316.

Koenig, H. G. (2012). Religion, spirituality, and health: The research and clinical implications. ISRN Psychiatry, 2012, 278730.

National Institute on Aging. (2024). Loneliness and social isolation — tips for staying connected.

Rote, S., & Hill, T. D. (2014). Religious attendance and loneliness in later life. The Gerontologist, 54(1), 39–50.

Thomas Nelson. (2017). The NKJV Study Bible (2nd ed.). Thomas Nelson.

Disclaimer:

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, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, call 911 (US), or contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room or hospital immediately.

Episode 17, Season 1

Show Notes

Anger, Neuroscience, and Biblical Truth: What the Bible Really Says About Anger

Is anger always sinful?

Many Christians have been taught that anger is something to avoid, suppress, or feel guilty about. Yet Scripture tells a different story. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry, and do not sin.” Even Jesus experienced anger without sinning, and God repeatedly invites His people to bring their emotions honestly before Him.

In today’s episode of The Christian Mind Reset, Dr. April Joy explores anger through the lenses of neuroscience, psychology, Scripture, and theology. You’ll learn why anger is often a protective emotion, what happens in the brain during experiences of injustice and unfairness, and how neuroscience confirms the biblical distinction between feeling anger and acting on it.

We’ll examine the fascinating research of Klimecki and colleagues on anger and emotional regulation, look at Jesus’ righteous anger in Mark 3, explore Jonah’s struggle with anger and disappointment, and reflect on David’s wisdom in Psalm 37.

If you’ve ever struggled with resentment, bitterness, frustration, or guilt about being angry, this episode will help you understand how God designed emotions and how to process anger in a healthy, biblical way.

In This Episode

* What anger actually is from a neuroscience perspective

* The difference between anger and aggression

* Why suppressing anger often makes it worse

* The role of the prefrontal cortex in emotional regulation

* Jesus’ example of righteous anger

* Jonah’s anger toward God’s mercy

* Psalm 37 and trusting God with justice

* Practical steps for processing anger biblically

* Scripture declarations for emotional healing

Key Scriptures

* Psalm 4:4

* Psalm 7:11

* Psalm 37:8

* Mark 3:5

* Jonah 4:4

* Ephesians 4:26-27

* James 1:19-20

* Romans 12:19

* Hebrews 12:15

* 2 Timothy 1:7

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.

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

References

Denson, T. F., Pedersen, W. C., Ronquillo, J., & Nandy, A. S. (2009). The angry brain: Neural correlates of anger, angry rumination, and aggressive personality. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 21(4), 734–744. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn.2009.21051

Dunn, R. S. (2025). When you don’t have the words: Praying the Psalms. Lexham Press.

Klimecki, O. M., Sander, D., & Vuilleumier, P. (2018). Distinct brain areas involved in anger versus punishment during social interactions. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 10556. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-28863-3

Shimbo, D., et al. (2024). The effects of negative emotions on vascular function. Journal of the American Heart Association

Thomas Nelson. (2017). The NKJV study Bible (2nd ed.). Thomas Nelson

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, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, call 911 (US), or contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room or hospital immediately.

Episode 20, Season 1

Show Notes

Why is waiting on God so difficult?

If you’ve ever wondered why unanswered prayers feel so emotionally exhausting, why uncertainty can trigger anxiety, or why waiting can feel harder than receiving bad news, you’re not alone.

In this episode of The Christian Mind Reset, we explore how neuroscience and Scripture together help us understand one of the hardest parts of the Christian life: waiting.

You’ll discover why the brain naturally struggles with uncertainty, how our minds are wired to seek closure, and why seasons of waiting can leave us feeling discouraged even when our faith remains strong. We’ll also examine how God designed the brain to change through neuroplasticity and how renewing our minds with His truth can shape our experience of seasons of uncertainty.

Then we’ll turn to Psalm 27, following David’s journey from the cave to the crown. Together we’ll study the beautiful Hebrew word qāvâ, often translated as “wait,” which means to bind together or become intertwined. David’s story reminds us that waiting is not passive—it is an invitation to become more deeply connected to God as He prepares us for what lies ahead.

Whether you’re waiting for healing, restoration, direction, reconciliation, or an answer to prayer, this episode will encourage you to trust God’s timing, renew your mind, and remember that His silence is never His absence.

In This Episode

* Why uncertainty feels so stressful to the brain

* The neuroscience of waiting and anxiety

* Intolerance of uncertainty

* Dopamine, anticipation, and delayed expectations

* Neuroplasticity and renewing your mind

* David’s years of waiting before becoming king

* The Hebrew meaning of qāvâ

* Psalm 27 and learning to wait with courage

* Practical ways to renew your mind while you wait

* Biblical declarations and a closing prayer

Key Scriptures

* Psalm 27:14

* Psalm 130:5–6

* Isaiah 40:31

* Romans 12:2

* Numbers 23:19

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 Min 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

Clark, A. (2013). Whatever next? Predictive brains, situated agents, and the future of cognitive science. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 36(3), 181–204. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X12000477PMID: 23663408. (PubMed)

Draganski, B., Gaser, C., Busch, V., Schuierer, G., Bogdahn, U., & May, A. (2004). Neuroplasticity: Changes in grey matter induced by training. Nature, 427(6972), 311–312. https://doi.org/10.1038/427311aPMID: 14737157. (PubMed)

Dugas, M. J., Gagnon, F., Ladouceur, R., & Freeston, M. H. (1998). Generalized anxiety disorder: A preliminary test of a conceptual model. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 36(2), 215–226.PMID: 9613027. (PubMed)

Dugas, M. J., & Robichaud, M. (2007). Cognitive-behavioral treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: From science to practice. Routledge.

Gross, J. J. (1998). The emerging field of emotion regulation: An integrative review. Review of General Psychology, 2(3), 271–299. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.2.3.271 (Sage Journals)

Hsu, M., Bhatt, M., Adolphs, R., Tranel, D., & Camerer, C. F. (2005). Neural systems responding to degrees of uncertainty in human decision-making. Science, 310(5754), 1680–1683. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1115327PMID: 16339445. (PubMed)

Kolb, B., & Gibb, R. (2011). Brain plasticity and behaviour in the developing brain. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 20(4), 265–276.PMID: 22114608. (PubMed)

Masicampo, E. J., & Baumeister, R. F. (2011). Consider it done! Plan making can eliminate the cognitive effects of unfulfilled goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(4), 667–683. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024192

McEwen, B. S. (2007). Physiology and neurobiology of stress and adaptation: Central role of the brain. Physiological Reviews, 87(3), 873–904. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00041.2006PMID: 17615391. (PubMed)

Mischel, W., Shoda, Y., & Rodriguez, M. I. (1989). Delay of gratification in children. Science, 244(4907), 933–938.PMID: 2658056. (PubMed)

Ochsner, K. N., & Gross, J. J. (2005). The cognitive control of emotion. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 9(5), 242–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2005.03.010PMID: 15866151. (PubMed)

Schultz, W., Dayan, P., & Montague, P. R. (1997). A neural substrate of prediction and reward. Science, 275(5306), 1593–1599.PMID: 9054347. (PubMed)

Thomas Nelson. (2017). The NKJV Study Bible (2nd ed.). Thomas Nelson.

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, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, call 911 (US), or contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room or hospital immediately

Episode 19, Season 1

Show Notes

Why is letting go so difficult?

If you’ve ever found yourself replaying painful memories, holding onto regret, struggling with control, or wondering why you keep returning to the same fears even after you’ve prayed about them, you’re not alone.

In this episode of The Christian Mind Reset, we will examine how the biblical invitation to let go is brought into sharper focus by neuroscience and psychology, uncovering the ways God has intricately fashioned the mind to encounter freedom through the practice of surrender.

We will consider how the brain encodes emotionally significant experiences, why uncertainty so often unsettles us, how cycles of rumination can entrap the mind, and how the reality of neuroplasticity echoes the biblical promise that our minds can be renewed.

Yet long before neuroscience named these processes, Scripture was already inviting us to release burdens we were never created to bear in isolation.

Together, we will trace the stories of Samuel, David, Paul, and ultimately Jesus, recognizing that biblical surrender is not denial or passivity, but a profound trust in the character of God—a trust that enables us to entrust what is heavy into His hands.

We will also linger with Psalm 46, reflecting on what it means to hear God say, ‘Be still, and know that I am God,’ and how the Hebrew word raphah invites us to loosen our grip and cease striving.

If you find yourself struggling to release the past, anxiety, grief, shame, fear, disappointment, control, or unanswered prayer, my hope is that this episode will remind you: the God who formed your mind is faithful to renew it.

In This Episode

• Why letting go is so difficult from a neuroscience perspective

• Predictive processing and why the brain anticipates future threats

• The roles of the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex

• Emotional memory and why painful experiences are easier to remember

• Memory reconsolidation and how healing changes our relationship to painful memories

• Rumination, the default mode network, and repetitive thinking

• Fear extinction, neuroplasticity, and renewing the mind

• The psychology of control, grief, and uncertainty

• Samuel mourning Saul (1 Samuel 16)

• David’s response after the loss of his son (2 Samuel 12)

• Paul’s encouragement to forget what lies behind (Philippians 3)

• Psalm 46 and the biblical invitation to “Be still”

• The Hebrew word raphah and the practice of releasing our grip

• Jesus in Gethsemane as the ultimate picture of surrender

Key Scriptures

Psalm 46

1 Samuel 16:1

2 Samuel 12:15–23

Philippians 3:13–14

Romans 12:2

1 Peter 5:7

Matthew 11:28–30

Luke 22:42

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 Min 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

Bar, M. (2009). The proactive brain: Memory for predictions. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1521), 1235–1243.

Carleton, R. N. (2016). Fear of the unknown: One fear to rule them all? Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 41, 5–21.

Friston, K. (2010). The free-energy principle: A unified brain theory? Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 11(2), 127–138.

Fullana, M. A., Harrison, B. J., Soriano-Mas, C., et al. (2018). Neural signatures of human fear conditioning and fear extinction: A meta-analysis of fMRI studies. Biological Psychiatry, 84(8), 579–593.

Hamilton, J. P., Farmer, M., Fogelman, P., & Gotlib, I. H. (2015). Depressive rumination, the default mode network, and the dark matter of clinical neuroscience. Biological Psychiatry, 78(4), 224–230.

Kolb, B., & Gibb, R. (2011). Brain plasticity and behaviour in the developing brain. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 20(4), 265–276.

LeDoux, J. E. (2000). Emotion circuits in the brain. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 23, 155–184.

McGaugh, J. L. (2004). The amygdala modulates the consolidation of memories of emotionally arousing experiences. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 27, 1–28.

Nader, K., & Hardt, O. (2009). A single standard for memory: The case for reconsolidation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(3), 224–234.

Pessoa, L. (2008). On the relationship between emotion and cognition. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(2), 148–158.

Phelps, E. A., Delgado, M. R., Nearing, K. I., & LeDoux, J. E. (2004). Extinction learning in humans: Role of the amygdala and vmPFC. Neuron, 43(6), 897–905.

Thomas Nelson. (2017). The NKJV Study Bible (2nd ed.). Thomas Nelson.

Disclaimer

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, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, call 911 (US), or contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room or hospital immediately.

Episode 21, Season 1

Show Notes

Why does disappointment hurt so deeply?

Whether it’s an unanswered prayer, a broken relationship, a diagnosis you never expected, or a dream that feels out of reach, disappointment has a way of shaking not only our hearts but also our understanding of God.

In this episode of The Christian Mind Reset, we explore what happens in the brain when our expectations collide with reality, and how God’s Word offers hope amid unmet expectations. Together we’ll look at the neuroscience of disappointment, including prediction error, dopamine, the lateral habenula, hopelessness, neuroplasticity, and the brain’s remarkable capacity for resilience.

We’ll spend time in Psalm 22, where David cries out with complete honesty, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” We’ll see why Jesus quoted those very words from the cross and what they teach us about bringing our disappointment to God without losing our faith.

We’ll also discover how Psalm 34 reminds us that God’s goodness is not determined by our circumstances, but by His unchanging character. Finally, we’ll explore how Scripture and neuroscience beautifully agree that our repeated thoughts shape how we experience life, and how the Holy Spirit renews our minds as we continue to bring our disappointments back to the Lord.

If you’ve ever wondered where God is in your waiting, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we’ll discuss:

• Why disappointment affects both the brain and the heart• The neuroscience of prediction error, dopamine, and unmet expectations• The role of the lateral habenula in disappointment and hopelessness• David’s honest prayer in Psalm 22• Why Jesus quoted Psalm 22 from the cross• How hopelessness changes our thinking—and how Scripture corrects it• Psalm 34 and trusting God’s character over our circumstances• Neuroplasticity, perseverance, and renewing your mind• Biblical declarations and a guided prayer for seasons of disappointment

Key Scriptures

Psalm 22Psalm 34Psalm 30:5Psalm 62:5Romans 5:3–5Romans 8:28Romans 12:2Lamentations 3:22–23Philippians 1:6Matthew 27:46

Mentioned Research

Liu, R. T., Kleiman, E. M., Nestor, B. A., & Cheek, S. M. (2015). The hopelessness theory of depression: A quarter-century in review.

Matsumoto, M., & Hikosaka, O. (2007). Lateral habenula as a source of negative reward signals.

Schultz, W., Dayan, P., & Montague, P. R. (1997). A neural substrate of prediction and reward.

Touroutoglou, A., Andreano, J. M., Dickerson, B. C., & Barrett, L. F. (2020). How the anterior mid-cingulate contributes to achieving goals. Cortex, 123, 12–29.

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 Min 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

Schultz, W., Dayan, P., & Montague, P. R. (1997). A neural substrate of prediction and reward. Science, 275(5306), 1593–1599. Link

Matsumoto, M., & Hikosaka, O. (2007). Lateral habenula as a source of negative reward signals in dopamine neurons. Nature, 447(7148), 1111–1115. Link

Liu, R. T., Kleiman, E. M., Nestor, B. A., & Cheek, S. M. (2015). The hopelessness theory of depression: A quarter century in review. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 22(4), 345–365. Link

Thomas Nelson. (2017). The NKJV Study Bible (2nd ed.). Thomas Nelson.

Touroutoglou, A., Andreano, J., Dickerson, B. C., & Barrett, L. F. (2020). The tenacious brain: How the anterior mid-cingulate contributes to achieving goals. Cortex, 123, 12–29. Link

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, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, call 911 (US), or contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room or hospital immediately

Episode 22, Season 1

Show Notes

Can praise actually change the way we experience a battle?

What if God commands us to praise not only because He is worthy, but because He designed worship to strengthen His people?

In this episode of The Christian Mind Reset, we explore the powerful connection among praise, worship, prayer, singing, and the renewing of the mind, drawing on both Scripture and neuroscience. Looking at the lives of David, Jehoshaphat, Paul and Silas, and Samuel, we’ll discover why praise is far more than an emotional response to victory. It is a spiritual discipline that helps us remember God’s faithfulness even as the battle is still before us.

We’ll examine the neuroscience of attention, attentional bias, emotional memory, and the brain’s attentional filtering system, including the Reticular Activating System (RAS), to better understand why fear naturally captures our focus. We’ll also explore what research reveals about prayer, worship, singing, gratitude, lifting our hands, embodied cognition, and how these practices influence attention, emotional regulation, stress, and resilience.

Finally, we’ll unpack the biblical meaning of an Ebenezer, why God repeatedly commands His people to remember, and how praise becomes an act of spiritual warfare that shifts our attention from fear to God's faithfulness.

Whether you’re walking through anxiety, disappointment, unanswered prayers, grief, spiritual warfare, or a season of waiting, I pray this episode encourages you to remember that praise is not pretending your pain doesn’t exist. It is choosing to worship the God whose character never changes.

In This Episode

* Why praise is spiritual warfare

* Why God commands us to sing

* The neuroscience of praise and worship

* Prayer and focused attention

* Singing, stress, mood, and the immune system

* Why lifting our hands matters

* Embodied cognition and worship

* David’s pattern of remembering God’s faithfulness

* The neuroscience of attention and attentional bias

* The Reticular Activating System (RAS) and the brain’s attentional filtering system

* The amygdala, hippocampus, and emotional memory

* Neuroplasticity and renewing the mind

* Jehoshaphat and praising before the battle

* Paul and Silas worshiping in prison

* Ebenezer: Remembering God’s faithfulness

* Practical ways to worship while you’re still waiting

Scriptures Referenced

Psalm 27

Psalm 34

Psalm 63

Psalm 77

Psalm 103

Psalm 134

Isaiah 26:3

Colossians 3:2

Romans 12:2

Hebrews 13:8

1 Samuel 7:12

2 Chronicles 20

Acts 16

Neuroscience & Psychology Concepts

Attentional bias • Reticular Activating System (RAS) • Attention networks • Emotional regulation • Neuroplasticity • Amygdala • Hippocampus • Emotional memory • Focused attention • Prayer and the brain • Singing and worship • Embodied cognition • Gratitude • Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) • Cortisol • Christian psychology • Faith and neuroscience

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 Christiand Min 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

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

Barsalou, L. W. (2008). Grounded cognition. Annual Review of Psychology, 59, 617–645. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.59.103006.093639

Beck, R. J., Cesario, T. C., Yousefi, A., & Enamoto, H. (2000). Choral singing, performance perception, and immune system changes in salivary immunoglobulin A and cortisol. Music Perception, 18(1), 87–106.

Draganski, B., Gaser, C., Busch, V., Schuierer, G., Bogdahn, U., & May, A. (2004). Neuroplasticity: Changes in grey matter induced by training. Nature, 427(6972), 311–312. https://doi.org/10.1038/427311a

Fancourt, D., Williamon, A., Carvalho, L. A., Steptoe, A., Dow, R., & Lewis, I. (2016). Singing modulates mood, stress, cortisol, cytokine and neuropeptide activity in cancer patients and carers. ecancermedicalscience, 10, 631. https://doi.org/10.3332/ecancer.2016.631

Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218

Kreutz, G., Bongard, S., Rohrmann, S., Hodapp, V., & Grebe, D. (2004). Effects of choir singing or listening on secretory immunoglobulin A, cortisol, and emotional state. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 27(6), 623–635. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-004-0006-9

McGaugh, J. L. (2004). The amygdala modulates the consolidation of memories of emotionally arousing experiences. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 27, 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.neuro.27.070203.144157

Newberg, A. B. (2014). The neuroscientific study of spiritual practices. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 215. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00215

Posner, M. I., & Petersen, S. E. (1990). The attention system of the human brain. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 13, 25–42. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ne.13.030190.000325

Thomas Nelson. (2017). The NKJV Study Bible (2nd ed.). Thomas Nelson.

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, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, call 911 (US), or contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room or hospital immediately

Episode 23, Season 1

Show Notes

Have you ever wondered why betrayal hurts so deeply—or why it can feel so difficult to trust again?

In this episode of The Christian Mind Reset, we explore what psychology, neuroscience, and Scripture reveal about trust, betrayal, and healing. You’ll learn how God designed the brain to learn from repeated experiences, why broken trust affects both the mind and body, and how the Psalmist's example in the Psalms points us toward lasting hope.

We’ll discuss attachment, neuroplasticity, predictive processing, emotional memory, and the neuroscience of social pain, while keeping Scripture at the center of the conversation. Rather than using science to validate God’s Word, we’ll see how studying God’s creation helps us better appreciate His design.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* Why trust is built through repeated experiences of faithfulness.

* How attachment shapes our earliest understanding of safety and relationships.

* Why betrayal feels physically painful and what neuroscience says about social rejection.

* How the brain updates its expectations after relational wounds.

* The role of neuroplasticity in healing after betrayal.

* Why remembering God’s faithfulness is one of the most powerful biblical practices for renewing the mind.

* The difference between biblical forgiveness and rebuilding trust.

* Practical encouragement for learning to trust God while exercising wisdom in relationships.

Key Scriptures

Psalm 9:10

Psalm 77

Proverbs 3:5–6

Lamentations 3:22–23

Hebrews 10:23

Malachi 3:6

Hebrews 13:8

John 2:24

Psalm 147:3

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 Christiand Min 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

Ainsworth, M. D. S., Blehar, M. C., Waters, E., & Wall, S. (1978). Patterns of attachment: A psychological study of the strange situation. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Berg, J., Dickhaut, J., & McCabe, K. (1995). Trust, reciprocity, and social history. Games and Economic Behavior, 10(1), 122–142. https://doi.org/10.1006/game.1995.1027

Bowlby, J. (1982). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment (2nd ed.). Basic Books. (Original work published 1969)

Carter, S C. (2018). Oxytocin and Human Evolution. Current topics in behavioral neurosciences, 35, 291–319. https://doi.org/10.1007/7854_2017_18

Clark, A. (2013). Whatever next? Predictive brains, situated agents, and the future of cognitive science. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 36(3), 181–204. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X12000477

Eisenberger, N. I. (2012). The neural bases of social pain: Evidence for shared representations with physical pain. Psychosomatic Medicine, 74(2), 126–135. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e3182464dd1

Eisenberger, N. I., Lieberman, M. D., & Williams, K. D. (2003). Does rejection hurt? An fMRI study of social exclusion. Science, 302(5643), 290–292. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1089134

Freyd, J. J. (1996). Betrayal trauma: The logic of forgetting childhood abuse. Harvard University Press.

Friston, K. (2010). The free-energy principle: A unified brain theory? Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 11(2), 127–138. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2787

Froemke, R. C., & Young, L. J. (2021). Oxytocin, neural plasticity, and social behavior. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 44, 359–381. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-neuro-102320-102847

Hancock, P. A., Kessler, T. T., Kaplan, A. D., Brill, J. C., & Szalma, J. L. (2023). How and why humans trust: A meta-analysis and elaborated model. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, Article 1081086. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1081086

Kandel, E. R., Koester, J. D., Mack, S. H., & Siegelbaum, S. A. (2021). Principles of neural science (6th ed.). McGraw Hill.

Kosfeld, M., Heinrichs, M., Zak, P. J., Fischbacher, U., & Fehr, E. (2005). Oxytocin increases trust in humans. Nature, 435(7042), 673–676. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature03701

Lancaster, M. E., & Anbar, R. D. (2024, March 30). How oxytocin affects our relationships. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-hypnosis/202402/how-oxytocin-affects-our-relationships

McGaugh, J. L. (2004). The amygdala modulates the consolidation of memories of emotionally arousing experiences. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 27, 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.neuro.27.070203.144157

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, having thoughts of harming yourself or others, or feel unsafe, call 911 (US), or contact your local emergency services, or go to the nearest emergency room or hospital immediately.

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

Episode 25, Season 1

Show Notes

Most people remember David’s repentance after his sin with Bathsheba. Far fewer pause to consider the man who made that repentance possible.

Before David confessed, Nathan obeyed.

In this episode of The Christian Mind Reset, Dr. April Joy explores one of Scripture’s most overlooked examples of courageous obedience. Through the story of Nathan confronting King David in 2 Samuel 12, listeners will discover what it looks like to obey God when the outcome is uncertain, the cost feels high, and remaining silent would be far easier.

The episode examines the biblical meaning of obedience through the Hebrew word shāmaʿ, revealing that throughout Scripture, hearing God has always been inseparable from responding to Him. It also explores how Jesus fulfilled the Law, why obedience is the evidence of a transformed heart rather than a means of earning salvation, and how love, not legalism, has always been at the center of God’s commands.

Drawing from psychology and neuroscience, the episode explains why obedience can feel so difficult, how fear influences moral decision-making, and what research reveals about agency, cognitive control, and the courage to do what is right even when it comes at a personal cost.

Whether facing a difficult conversation, a call to speak truth with grace, or a season requiring costly faithfulness, this episode offers both biblical encouragement and practical insight for following God with courage and conviction.

In This Episode

* Nathan’s role in David’s repentance and why his obedience matters

* What the Hebrew word shāmaʿ teaches about hearing and obeying God

* Why biblical obedience is rooted in love rather than legalism

* How Jesus fulfilled the Law and summarized God’s commands

* The psychology and neuroscience of obedience, fear, and moral courage

* Practical encouragement for obeying God when obedience is costly

Scriptures Referenced

Genesis 26:5

Deuteronomy 6:4–5

2 Samuel 12

Psalm 51

Matthew 5:17–20

Matthew 7:24–27

Matthew 22:37–40

Luke 6:46–49

John 14:15

John 15:10

James 1:22

Ephesians 2:8–10

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

Bandura, A. (1999). Moral disengagement in the perpetration of inhumanities. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 3(3), 193–209. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327957PSPR0303_3

BibleProject. (n.d.). Shema (Hear). https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/shema-hear/

Bible Hub. (n.d.). Strong’s Hebrew 8085: Shamaʿ (שָׁמַע)—to hear, listen, obey. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/8085.htm

Blass, T. (1999). The Milgram paradigm after 35 years: Some things we now know about obedience to authority. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 29(5), 955–978. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.1999.tb00134.x

Brown, F., Driver, S. R., & Briggs, C. A. (1906). A Hebrew and English lexicon of the Old Testament. Clarendon Press. https://archive.org/details/hebrewenglishlex00browuoft

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Crossway. (Original work published 2001)

Burger, J. M. (2009). Replicating Milgram: Would people still obey today? American Psychologist, 64(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0010932

Caspar, E. A., Christensen, J. F., Cleeremans, A., & Haggard, P. (2016). Coercion changes the sense of agency in the human brain. Current Biology, 26(5), 585–592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2015.12.067

Caspar, E. A., Vuillaume, L., Magalhães De Saldanha da Gama, P. A., & Cleeremans, A. (2018). The influence of (dis)belief in free will on immoral behavior. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, Article 20. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00020

Caspar, E. A., et al. (2020). Coercion reduces the neural processing of victims’ pain. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 15(11), 1184–1194. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsaa148

Crone, E. A., & Steinbeis, N. (2017). Neural perspectives on cognitive control development during childhood and adolescence. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 21(3), 205–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2017.01.003

Haggard, P. (2017). Sense of agency in the human brain. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 18(4), 196–207. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn.2017.14

Haney, C., Banks, W. C., & Zimbardo, P. G. (1973). Interpersonal dynamics in a simulated prison. International Journal of Criminology and Penology, 1, 69–97.

Haslam, S. A., & Reicher, S. D. (2006). Rethinking the psychology of tyranny. Scientific American, 295(6), 68–73.

Hollander, M. M. (2015). The repertoire of resistance: Non-compliance with directives in Milgram’s “obedience” experiments. British Journal of Social Psychology, 54(3), 425–444. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.12099 (PubMed)

Milgram, S. (1963). Behavioral study of obedience. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67(4), 371–378. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0040525

Milgram, S. (1974). Obedience to authority: An experimental view. Harper & Row.

Packer, D. J. (2008). Identifying systematic disobedience in Milgram’s obedience experiments: A meta-analytic review. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3(4), 301–304. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6924.2008.00080.x (Association for Psychological Science)

Nye, C. (2017, September 9). What does the Hebrew term “Shema” mean? Medium. https://medium.com/@chrisnye/what-does-the-hebrew-term-shema-mean-6fd3a1e5eeb2

Seyll, L., et al. (2025). When the brain says “No!”: An MRI study on the neural correlates of resistance to immoral orders. Cortex. (PubMed)

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.

Episode 26, Season 1

Show Notes

What does it mean to “strengthen yourself in the Lord,” and what can David’s life teach us about persevering through suffering?

In this episode of The Christian Mind Reset, Dr. April Joy explores perseverance through the life of David, with a particular focus on 1 Samuel 30:6 and the Psalms. Throughout David’s life, readers see a consistent pattern of returning to God through prayer, worship, gratitude, remembering God’s faithfulness, and fixing his hope on the Lord, even in seasons of fear, betrayal, grief, and waiting.

Drawing from Scripture alongside current research in psychology and neuroscience, this episode examines how practices woven throughout David’s life align with what is known about hope, attention, memory, metacognition, worship, and emotional resilience. Rather than placing confidence in psychological techniques, the episode points listeners back to the biblical truth that lasting perseverance is found by continually returning to God, who is the source of our hope and strength.

Whether listeners are walking through disappointment, suffering, uncertainty, or simply finding it difficult to keep going, this episode offers biblical encouragement and practical insight for persevering while keeping their eyes fixed on Christ.

In This Episode

* What it means to strengthen yourself in the Lord

* Perseverance through the life of David

* Hope through the lens of psychology and neuroscience

* Remembering God’s faithfulness

* Metacognition and biblical self-talk

* Worship, music, and the brain

* Gratitude, prayer, and redirecting attention

* Fixing our eyes on Jesus

* Persevering through difficult seasons with hope anchored in God

Scriptures

* 1 Samuel 24

* 1 Samuel 30:6

* Psalm 23

* Psalm 27:13

* Psalm 42:5

* Psalm 56:3–4

* Isaiah 40:29–31

* Romans 5:3–5

* James 1:2–4

* Galatians 6:9

* Hebrews 12:1–2

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

* Chanda, M. L., & Levitin, D. J. (2013). The neurochemistry of music. Trends in Cognitive Sciences.

* Fleming, S. M., Dolan, R. J., & Frith, C. D. (2012). Metacognition: Computation, biology and function.Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.

* Gross, J. J. (2015). Emotion regulation: Current status and future prospects. Psychological Inquiry.

* Koelsch, S. (2014). Brain correlates of music-evoked emotions. Nature Reviews Neuroscience.

* Kross, E., et al. (2014). Self-talk as a regulatory mechanism: How you do it matters. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

* Kross, E., & Ayduk, O. (2017). Self-distancing: Theory, research, and current directions. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology.

* Müller, T. H., et al. (2021). Dissociable neural systems for recoverable versus unrecoverable effort. Nature Communications.

* Roediger, H. L., III, & Karpicke, J. D. (2006). Test-enhanced learning: Taking memory tests improves long-term retention. Psychological Science.

* Snyder, C. R. (2002). Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind. Psychological Inquiry.

* Vickers, J. N. (2016). Origins and current issues in Quiet Eye research. Current Issues in Sport Science.

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.

Episode 27, Season 1

Show Notes

Can gratitude really change your brain? Why does the Bible repeatedly tell us to “give thanks,” while also warning us against grumbling? In this episode of The Christian Mind Reset, we explore what psychology, neuroscience, and Scripture reveal about gratitude, complaining, and the way repeated thought patterns shape our minds.

Together, we’ll examine research on gratitude, neuroplasticity, negativity bias, emotional regulation, and stress while walking through some of the Bible’s richest passages on thanksgiving. We’ll look at David in the Psalms, Israel in the wilderness, and the moments Jesus gave thanks—even in the face of rejection, grief, scarcity, and the cross.

You’ll discover why biblical gratitude isn’t pretending life is easy or denying suffering. Instead, it’s intentionally remembering God’s faithfulness and bringing your attention back to what is still true, still good, and still worthy of praise.

In this episode, we discuss:

* What gratitude does in the brain

* The neuroscience of neuroplasticity and negativity bias

* Healthy lament versus chronic complaining

* Why God repeatedly commands thanksgiving

* What Jesus thanked the Father for

* Psalm 107 and the power of remembering God’s faithfulness

* Practical ways to cultivate biblical gratitude in everyday life

If you’re struggling with anxiety, discouragement, stress, or simply want to renew your mind through Scripture, this episode will encourage you to see gratitude as more than a feeling; it is a spiritual discipline that shapes both the heart and the mind.

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

Cheng, S.-T., Tsui, P. K., & Lam, J. H. M. (2015). Improving mental health in health care practitioners: Randomized controlled trial of a gratitude intervention. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 83(1), 177–186. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037895

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

Fox, G. R., Kaplan, J., Damasio, H., & Damasio, A. (2015). Neural correlates of gratitude. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1491. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01491

Froh, J. J., Sefick, W. J., & Emmons, R. A. (2008). Counting blessings in early adolescents: An experimental study of gratitude and subjective well-being. Journal of School Psychology, 46(2), 213–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2007.03.005

Hölzel, B. K., Carmody, J., Vangel, M., Congleton, C., Yerramsetti, S. M., Gard, T., & Lazar, S. W. (2011). Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 191(1), 36–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2010.08.006

Kini, P., Wong, J., McInnis, S., Gabana, N., & Brown, J. W. (2016). The effects of gratitude expression on neural activity. NeuroImage, 128, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.12.040

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.

Episode 28, Season 1

Show Notes

What happens in the mind and brain when we have hope? Why can hope change the way we experience the present, even when our circumstances have not changed? And how is biblical hope different from optimism, wishful thinking, or simply trying to “think positive”?

In Episode 28 of The Christian Mind Reset, Dr. April Joy explores the psychology and neuroscience of hope alongside the biblical understanding of what it means to place our hope in God.

The episode begins with C. R. Snyder’s Hope Theory, which describes hope through two important processes: agency, our perceived ability to move toward a goal, and pathways, our ability to identify ways forward when obstacles arise. We review research exploring the relationship between hope, anxiety, brain function, and meaning in life.

But psychology and neuroscience only take us so far.

The Bible presents a deeper picture of hope.

Biblical hope is not pretending that everything will work out the way we want. It is not denial of suffering, and it is not positive thinking with a Christian vocabulary. Biblical hope is confidence in God's character, promises, and faithfulness, even when the outcome is still unknown.

Through Psalm 130, Romans 8, and Hebrews 6:19, we explore what it means to hope while waiting, suffering, grieving, and facing an uncertain future. We also look at the lives of Abraham, David, Joseph, Jeremiah, Job, and Paul, people who experienced seasons when God’s promises and their present circumstances did not appear to match.

Their stories remind us that hope does not require us to ignore what is happening around us.

Hope does not mean everything around you is steady. Biblical hope gives your soul something steady to hold onto when everything else is not.

In the final portion of the episode, we move from understanding hope to practicing hope through Scripture-based declarations, grounding, reflection, and prayer. The goal is not simply to learn something about hope, but to begin training our minds to remember where our hope is anchored.

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 on 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.

In This Episode, We Explore:

* The psychology of hope and Snyder’s Hope Theory

* The difference between agency and pathways

* What neuroscience can tell us about hope

* The relationship between hope, anxiety, and meaning

* Why hope is more than optimism or positive thinking

* What the Bible means by hope in God

* What it looks like to hope while waiting

* Hope in seasons of suffering, uncertainty, and grief

* Lessons about hope from Abraham, David, Joseph, Jeremiah, Job, and Paul

* Why Christian hope is ultimately anchored in God rather than circumstances

* How Scripture can help us renew our minds when hope feels difficult

* Scripture-based declarations, grounding, and prayer

Scriptures We Explore

Psalm 130Romans 8Hebrews 6:19

References

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

Edwards, M. E., Booker, J. A., Cook, K., Miao, M., Gan, Y., & King, L. A. (2025). Hope as a meaningful emotion: Hope, positive affect, and meaning in life. Emotion, 25(6), 1365–1380. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0001513

Snyder, C. R. (2002). Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind. Psychological Inquiry, 13(4), 249–275. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1304_01

Snyder, C. R., Harris, C., Anderson, J. R., Holleran, S. A., Irving, L. M., Sigmon, S. T., Yoshinobu, L., Gibb, J., Langelle, C., & Harney, P. (1991). The will and the ways: Development and validation of an individual-differences measure of hope. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60(4), 570–585. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.60.4.570

Wang, S., Xu, X., Zhou, M., Chen, T., Yang, X., Chen, G., & Gong, Q. (2017). Hope and the brain: Trait hope mediates the protective role of medial orbitofrontal cortex spontaneous activity against anxiety. NeuroImage, 157, 439–447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.05.056

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. Do not use these methods 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.