Don’t Snatch Anxiety from the Jaws of Awesome (S15E19)

About this episode

In this powerful episode, I share how chronic stress can make us respond to answered prayers with fear instead of gratitude, illustrated by a patient whose clear MRI still triggered anxiety and a father who anticipated his son’s relapse even after 90 days sober. I explain the neuroscience behind hypervigilance; elevated cortisol, negativity bias, and hedonic adaptation, and how the brain treats vivid worry like real danger. Drawing on Ian McGilchrist’s work on attention in the brain’s hemispheres, I show how stress narrows us into “what’s next” mode, stealing awe. I connect this pattern to scripture (Luke 17, Psalm 103, Philippians 4:8, Habakkuk 3, Nehemiah 8, 1 Thessalonians 5) and teach a five-step “Turnback” practice: catch it, name it, imagine it, pause 60 seconds, and give thanks, to stop “snatching anxiety from the jaws of awesome.” Don’t biopsy the blessing anymore. This episode will teach you how. Resources and Links⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The most important book you'll read this year (besides the Bible) is my new one, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery Check out the Self-Br