fight, flight, freeze
Our brains are the most remarkable instruments! In our being created, God has gifted us with the ability to respond both reactively and proactively to circumstances around us: reactively to threats for our survival, and proactively for our growth.
The amygdala, a small part of our brain, serves as an alarm system for real or perceived threats, activating our autonomic nervous system so that we can react to what's coming at us. We exhibit what's been called the "fight, flight, or freeze" syndrome. We try to confront the threat, we try to evade it, or we are immobilized by it (Some have added "fawn", a kind of appeasement response, but it seems to me to be a variant of being evasive). These are God-created automatic responses given for our security. However, in this fearful world, they can become problematic when they are overactivated by chronic stress or trauma, particularly in our early years. My habitual "flight" response has shaped my tendency to shallow living. Others have become aggressive due to the "fight" pattern. Still others live a stunted life due to the freeze behavior. Perhaps you notice your normal response and resulting behaviors.
This is where Jesus comes in. He invites us to bring threats and perceptions of threat directly to Him. In The Holy Spirit, He can actually strengthen our higher brain functioning to mitigate the autonomic, heal it from overuse, and act proactively with Him. He says, Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). That's a Promise we can count on. We don't have to be shallow, aggressive, or stunted.
But there is a new Pattern of Living to be learned as we come: Take My Yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (vs. 29). As we are yoked to Him, He, being human, teaches us how to fight with Prayer and His Word; He shows us how to take flight into the Secret Place in which He and we can address the threat together; and He guides us to freeze in His Presence from which we can turn and take our stand in Him.
​So let's walk side-by-side with Him, face whatever threats will come our way, and find that the yoke is way easier than going solo, and the burden is lighter when we live in Him. And let's do this together, in His Body, the church..