Soul Rhythms: Worship
Worship is the culmination of our series on Soul Rhythms. We have explored breathing, examining, confessing, trusting, forgiving, and now, worship. Worship aligns us with the creator of the universe, allowing his life to flow through us. We worship because it honors him, but an amazing byproduct is that we, too, are blessed in the process.
Why We Need Worship More Than Ever
In today’s world, worship is more essential than ever. Modern advancements have shaped our daily lives, often leading to challenges that affect our mental and spiritual health:
Artificial Light Disruptions: Since Thomas Edison’s invention of the light bulb in 1879, artificial light has altered our natural rhythms. We are no longer rising and resting with the sun.
Increased Screen Time: Since the 1990s, blue light exposure from screens has reprogrammed our brains, reducing sleep quality.
Sedentary Lifestyles: Human beings were designed for movement. Yet, modern workspaces and lifestyles keep us confined to desks, reducing mobility and physical well-being.
Social Isolation: Air conditioning, privacy fences, and social media have given the illusion of connection while deepening loneliness.
Negative News Overload: Instead of only knowing about the local community, we are now inundated with global crises, leading to heightened stress and anxiety.
Processed Foods: The foods we consume are often far from their natural state, contributing to poor nutrition and overall health concerns.
These shifts contribute to an increasing prevalence of depression, with 22% of the U.S. population diagnosed. While medical treatments can be helpful, natural remedies often provide foundational healing, including:
Consistent sleep (7-8 hours per night)
Regular exercise (at least four times per week)
Eating whole, natural foods
Engaging in community
Limiting exposure to negative media
Worship
Worship as a Pathway to Peace
When seeking peace and freedom from anxiety, worship plays a unique role. Paul encourages believers:
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)
Gratitude is a powerful mental health practice. It reorients our focus from what is lacking to the abundance in our lives. As research in neuroscience confirms:
Gratitude strengthens connections in the brain associated with joy.
It rewires the brain to think positively, making gratitude a habitual mindset.
It releases serotonin and dopamine—natural chemicals that boost happiness.
It reduces anxiety by regulating stress hormones.
This wisdom has been echoed for centuries:
"It is not happiness that brings gratitude. It is gratitude that brings happiness." — David Steindl-Rast, Benedictine Monk
Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts, encourages a daily practice of recording three things to be grateful for. This intentional practice reshapes our outlook, aligning our hearts with the truth of God’s provision.
Worship Through Song
While gratitude is a personal act of worship, corporate worship through singing has profound spiritual and scientific benefits. Paul instructs:
"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." (Colossians 3:16)
Worship is more than a ritual; it is a declaration of truth. It acknowledges that God is worthy of all praise. The term "worship" originates from "worth-ship," affirming the infinite worth of God. Beyond personal devotion, worship aligns us with the ultimate reality of the universe.
The Science of Worship
Engaging in corporate worship activates multiple areas of the brain and body:
Vagus Nerve Activation: Loud singing calms the fight-or-flight response, reducing stress.
Frontal Lobe Engagement: Worship enhances focus and emotional regulation, making it an ideal precursor to hearing biblical teaching.
Memory Activation: Songs reinforce truths that shape our perspectives and emotions.
Social Synchrony: Shared movement—clapping, swaying, and singing together—fosters a sense of unity and belonging, counteracting isolation.
Worship as an Antidote to Anxiety
Throughout this series, we have explored practices that scientifically and spiritually reduce anxiety:
Breathing deeply
Confessing openly
Trusting fully
Forgiving freely
Practicing gratitude
Engaging in worship
Worship is not just a command—it is a gift. When we align our hearts with the truth of who God is, peace follows. If anxiety is a struggle, investing just 20 minutes a day in spiritual rhythms can lead to transformation.
As we conclude this series on Soul Rhythms, may worship become a cornerstone of daily life. Whether through gratitude, song, or reflection, let worship shape your soul, bringing peace, joy, and alignment with the God who sustains all things.
Message recap adapted from February 9, 2025, message by Minister Mark Ashton
