And, it is not what you think.

Life Hurts. Yes, but believe it or not our bodies have built-in properties that help us with the pain.

Most of us know something about endorphins and have experienced “endorphin flows” through back rubs, soaking baths, exercise. Some even boast of the wonderment of “runners high.” Few realize the truth that our spiritual practices have been identified as key players when it comes to endorphin flows.

The fact we are “engineered” to transcend was discovered by three medical researchers, Dr. Andrew Newberg, Dr. Eugene D’Aquili, and Vince Rause, who shared their findings within a book titled, Why God Won’t Go Away Brain Science & the Biology of Belief.

While using SPECT MRI three medical researchers studied the brain images of people as they prayed or meditated, the doctors became enthralled with their findings. They found that our bodies are tailor-made for specifically helping us rise above what can bring us down in life. Our brains—and our body chemistry—are not only exceedingly affected by what we think, but also by our spiritual practices.

These medical researchers found there is a specific segment of the human brain that lights up “like fireworks” when people pray or meditate. We haven’t thought of endorphins as “opioids.” Still, it is true. When we have put some real time (say 12 or so minutes) into prayer, we are boosted into “the feel good realm.” No cost to it, and no hangover, or cravings to squelch. For some of us this can even happen while reading Scripture. Have you noticed how good it feels to sing, whistle, hum, or listen to music? Also, how blessed it feels during community worship. Think of the “high” times felt so frequently as a believer.

The research of these doctors was not instigated through or founded on any religious beliefs of their own. Their research was specifically based on studying the brain. What seized their attention and amazed them was finding the very location within the human brain that consistently lights up “like fireworks” when a person is in prayer or meditation. Of course, being scientists, a measure is securitized: This “lighting up” takes place at the 12 minute mark.

In 1975, endorphins were identified as a class of endogenous opioids. That means these are generated internally—and best of all, these endorphins have analgesic properties. This takes place through opiate receptors that are built into the human package and get triggered during our most blessed moments.

However, the good part about these endogenous endorphins[1] is—for one, there is no cost involved—and another fantastic benefit comes through the fact no matter how many endorphins your body makes, they do not lead to addiction or dependence—and never cause an overdose.

The National Institute of Health instructs, here, “All opioids, whether produced by the body (endogenously) or taken as a drug, interact through opioid receptors within the brain.”[2] Science confirms these are what relieve pain and trigger a positive feeling much like that of morphine.

Living “the way” that Jesus taught us within the Good News of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), bring amazing ease to the troubles endured while living as a human on earth. It is now scientifically proven that when we persist in communing with God, our brains can bring us into an amazing place of transcendence.

We are marvelously made, as Psalms 139:13-14 assures us: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Throughout our days endorphins interact with the opiate receptors in the brain to reduce our anxieties and to ward off depression—acting similarly to drugs such as morphine and codeine.

So, “Wake up Little Susie!” as the song goes [“or Little Sammy”] Pay attention to what brings you joy in life. Is it exercise, relaxation—hot tubbing it?

But, by all means, explore prayer more fully—and follow your heart. Find what activates your body’s natural ability to release endorphins. In this way, you can go for the “joy juice” intended, and provided within your body at birth.

[1]“Endogenous morphine, coined by the morphing of the two descriptive terms into endorphins, are opioid neuropeptides which are naturally produced in the body that serve a primary function as an agent blocking the perception of pain and, additionally, present in cases of pleasure.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470306/#:~:text=Endogenous%20morphine%2C%20coined%20by%20the,present%20in%20cases%20of%20pleasure (Accessed 1-15-21).

[2]https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-opioid-drugs-activate-receptors (Accessed 1-15-21).

By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA

Years back our then bachelor son, Tim, “lost his heart” to a lovely, young woman. He was inspired, yet, distraught as her job found his friend moving to another state. However, Tim seemed tireless, able to make a “short distance” out of the 450 miles it took to visit her.

Once, while we had an hour together before his leave-taking he and I talked and prayed together. Upon telling him of something I planned to do for his friend, Tim’s eyes filled with love and he said, “Oh, Mom . . . if you do that for her it will be as if you are doing it for me.”

A momentary sense of déjà vu—then a recognition that Jesus had spoken these same words yet a bit differently to His disciples: “I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least brothers, you did it for me” (Matthew 25:40).

When Tim made this point on behalf of the one he loved his words were rich with meaning. In an instant I saw how it was Jesus’ love for His beloved that saw Him beseeching us to serve. Surely, we have done it unto Him when we serve another who is in need.

Perhaps occasionally it is important to examine “heart motives.”  Is the service we are giving to our fellow man really an act of love? Done with love of our Lord? Or, out of our hopes to please, gain favor or be noticed? Prestige? A place in the “inner circle”? Power? How often are deeds done out of a sense of obligation—working to pay back what we have received? The truth is we don’t have to prove our worth or earn our space! God created us. We are His children — good, acceptable and beloved. On the other hand, pride is, at times, a motivator. Pride can come through our always being the one who helps. Always needing to be the giver. Sometimes it is good and right to sit back, allowing others opportunity to serve. It is very important to also be the receiver of loving care.

There are times when we serve others out of sympathy. Even though this emotion is a valid response, we best be careful. Here again there can be a self-serving twist. Conrad Baars, MD wrote in Healing the Unaffirmed, that the emphasis must lie “on a state of being for and with another, of being moved inwardly by his goodness and unique worth prior to doing anything for him.”

Other times, out of fear of disappointing another or losing face, we give. But, when we look at the life of our Master, we see that of all the things He could have done, He moved and acted only through the motivation of love. In His Words, “I do only what I see the Father doing.”  And His Father, after all, was love. For, “ . . . For God is love,” (1 John 4:8).

Now let’s take a moment to look at what, for many of us, is a common failure: the inability to accept and lovingly serve our own selves. Dr. Carl Jung put it eloquently:  “what if I should discover that the least of all brethren, the poorest of all beggars, the most insolent of all offenders, yes, even the very enemy himself – that these live within me; that I myself stand in need of the alms of my own kindness, that I am to myself the enemy who is to be loved?”  Jung was concerned about our refusing to receive the least among the lowly in ourselves with open arms.”

We esteem our bodies enough to shave and bathe, groom and consume nourishing foods, yet whip the inner self into frenzies of doing as we have not yet discovered the beauty of being. Once we are able to cherish the true essence of ourselves and what we were created to be, that which is done to validate and love ourselves will act as springboards moving us speedily and spontaneously into God-directed service. New fervor and vision will be held.

Could it be possible Jesus wore a smile when He said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind and all your soul. And love your neighbor as yourself?” Was He gently using humor to make His point of how far we are from loving God until we can also love ourselves? Then our neighbors?

Do not mistake hedonism; pervasive consumerism; demanding or expecting allegiance from others; and outright selfishness as the act of validly loving oneself. However, truly knowing how to generously treat the person called “me” to the best life has to offer is an artful way to live—one in which our hearts can celebrate!

Let us “break forth into joy, giving thanks for the beauty of our personhood.”  And, in so doing heap love upon our Lord.

Joy Le Page Smith is a Board-certified clinical chaplain with with degrees in psychology and theology. View her children’s book as a video at healingwithjoy.blogspot.com Also, find many articles addressing life’s difficulties at Healing-with-Joy.com