Users of the YouVersion app, the world’s most downloaded Bible app, were greeted with this promise the day after the US election: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27, NIV). The verse of the day was hardly a random pick among the 31,102 verses of the Bible.
For weeks the polls had predicted a particularly tight race, and the promise of the peace of God was a particularly fitting reminder on a day when millions of US voters were disappointed because their choice for president did not make it, and about the same number of citizens were jubilant because their candidate won the presidency.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” The assurance of God’s peace serves as a powerful remedy for troubled hearts. But is it really the heart and not the brain that needs relief from negative emotions?
More than a Muscle?
The Bible refers to the heart as the seat of emotions on multiple occasions. But for decades science has taught us that the heart is nothing more than a muscle — albeit a very important muscle.
The heart is one of the most important organs of our bodies. It is responsible for pumping blood with nutrients and oxygen in adequate supply to our cells and carry waste away. The heart works faithfully with about 100,000 daily beats year after year.
But the heart is playing a role in our emotions. Who has not felt the quickening heart pace by being in the presence of someone you just fell in love with, or how the heart reacts to a sudden threat?
NeuroLaunch.com, an organization which, according to their website, is striving to “bridge the gap between cutting-edge neuroscience research and public understanding,” has recently published an article with the title “Heart Emotions: The Intriguing Connection Between Our Cardiac Organ and Feelings.”
In the article, the NeuroLaunch editorial team points out that the heart has a connected neural network of about 40,000 neurons sending signals to the brain. This neurological network is “capable of sensing, processing, and even storing information. It’s like having a minicomputer nestled right there in your chest” (Heart Emotions).
The heart evidently plays a much greater role in our emotions than simply to pump blood. So, when the Bible employs language like “my heart rejoices in your salvation” (Psalm 13:5, NIV) it is more to it than just poetic license.
The Symbol of Love
In popular culture the heart is a powerful symbol of emotions. On my phone I have 24 different heart emojis to choose from, and people around the globe love to send and receive these symbols to convey love, sympathy, appreciation and a number of other heartwarming emotions.
Regardless of what challenges you are facing, the promise of the peace of God holds true. God is love. And God loves you. You might want to place a big heart next to these two sentences with profound truths.
When you take to heart these two truths “God is love” and “God loves you” it will give your outlook on life a divine perspective. A perspective which will give you peace.
May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (see Philippians 4:7).
The original version of this article was first published on the website of the Norwegian Union Conference.