A foundation of the Authentic Joy discipleship model is that we focus on the head, heart, and hands to bring holistic transformation to the human being. We do this by focusing on mindsets, values, and habits (also called practices or disciplines). So today we introduce our 1st practice: Listening to God Through Appreciation Memories.
Now, we have been talking about discipleship to Jesus that looks more relational and experiential than transactional and academic. Last time we discussed being loved by God not as an intellectual belief but as a felt reality. The practice we introduce today is a pathway for us into this relational experience of God and Love.
But first, let’s talk a little bit about the brain. The brain has two hemispheres – right and left. These hemispheres are highly interconnected but perform different roles.
Left Hemisphere
• Language and Speech: Dominant for most people in tasks like grammar, vocabulary, and literal meaning.
• Analytical Thinking: Handles logic, reasoning, and step-by-step problem-solving.
• Mathematics and Calculation: Processes numerical and symbolic information.
• Sequential Processing: Prefers structured, linear approaches.
Right Hemisphere
• Spatial Awareness: Important for visual-spatial tasks like map reading and recognizing faces.
• Creativity and Imagination: Associated with artistic ability and holistic thinking.
• Emotional Processing: Plays a role in interpreting tone, facial expressions, and emotional context.
• Pattern Recognition: Good at seeing the “big picture” and integrating information.
Relational circuits are neural networks in the brain that enable us to stay connected, engaged, and emotionally regulated in relationships. They are located primarily in the right hemisphere, which is heavily involved in processing social and emotional information. These circuits help us:
• Experience joy and connection
• Maintain flexibility and resilience
• Respond to others with empathy rather than defensiveness
When these circuits are functioning well, we can manage emotions and stay relational. When they “dim” or shut down (due to stress, trauma, or overwhelming emotion), we enter what some researchers call “enemy mode”—becoming rigid, self-protective, and disconnected from others.
The sad truth is that we have become a very unbalanced left-brained society and, as a consequence, unbalanced left-brained Christians. To deeply connect with God (and people) will require us to understand how we connect with God and others and engage in practices that help us to exercise the ‘relational muscles’ of our right brain.
This is the backdrop upon which I want to introduce Appreciation Memories. Gratitude or appreciation is a fast track to turning our right brain relational circuits on and putting us in a mode that is open to connection. The practice, in simplest terms, is like thinking about all the good things that you appreciate about somebody before initiating a conversation with them, not in an academic, ‘make a list ’ kind of way but by engaging our imagination.
Psalm 100:4 says, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving.’
God knows that our gateway to connection with Him is gratitude!
So here is the practice:
• Recall an experience that you have had (recently or in the past) where you felt a sense of being at peace, being loved, joyful, grateful, full of awe, or connected to God. It can be a time in nature or with family or with God or doing some activity you love.
• Relive the event in your imagination. What did you see, smell, hear, taste, feel? What emotions did you experience?
• Tell God what you are grateful for in this memory.
• Now ask God: “What do you want to say to me now through this memory?”
• Write down any impressions that you get.
Practice this as often as you can this week.
REFLECTION
• How was this practice for you? Was it easy? Difficult?
• What came up for you as you engaged with God in this way?