A Biblical and Neuroscientific Approach to Stress Resilience

Categories: AACC BLOG

by Charles Stone, MDiv, DMin, PhD

This post is a summary of chapter 9 in Charles Stone’s just released Moody Press book: Stress Less: 9 Habits from the Bible and Brain Science to Build Resilience and Reduce Anxiety. Read more information about the book and Charles below.

Finding Certainty in an Uncertain World

Corrie Ten Boom once said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” As Christian coaches and counselors, we often encounter people wrestling with stress fueled by uncertainty. Whether it’s financial instability, health concerns, or major life decisions, uncertainty has a way of hijacking the mind, triggering anxiety, and diminishing resilience.

But what if we could help others navigate uncertainty differently? Instead of allowing uncertainty to be a source of stress, we can cultivate a sense of certainty—not by controlling the future but by trusting in the One who holds it. Neuroscience and Scripture both reveal profound insights into how we can strengthen our tolerance for uncertainty and, in turn, experience greater peace.

The Brain’s Struggle with Uncertainty

God designed the brain to seek patterns, predict outcomes, and conserve energy. Certainty provides stability, while uncertainty demands additional cognitive resources, leaving us mentally exhausted. When we face uncertain situations, our brain activates its stress response, engaging the amygdala (our fear center) and reducing dopamine (our feel-good neurotransmitter). This leads to three common cognitive distortions:

Seeking Exhaustive Information – The belief that having all the facts will eliminate uncertainty.
Catastrophizing – Assuming the worst possible outcome will happen.
Decision Paralysis – A fear of making the wrong choice, leading to indecision.

These patterns fuel stress and diminish our ability to cope. However, research shows that when we reframe uncertainty and increase our tolerance for it, stress loses its grip. One of the most powerful ways to do this is through surrendering prayer.

The Biblical Perspective: Finding Certainty in God

Uncertainty often leads to worry, which Jesus directly addressed in Matthew 6. He reminded His followers that God provides for the birds and clothes the flowers, so how much more will He care for us? Yet, as humans, we crave certainty and control. When we can’t predict the future, worry often fills the gap.

Christian worry, in essence, is an attempt to obtain certainty about an ambiguous future through cognitive effort rather than trusting in God’s benevolence and sovereignty. We may even convince ourselves that worrying helps—believing that if we worry enough, we can prevent bad outcomes. But Scripture refutes this thinking.

The writer of Hebrews reassures us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1). Faith, then, is a form of certainty—not in circumstances, but in God. The Bible describes Him as our rock (Matt. 16:18), our foundation (1 Cor. 3:11), and our strong tower (Prov. 18:10). True certainty comes not from eliminating uncertainty, but from anchoring our confidence in God’s unchanging nature.

Compensatory Control: Why Trusting God Reduces Stress

Psychologists describe a phenomenon called compensatory control—the idea that when we lack control over a situation, we turn to a higher authority to regain a sense of stability. As believers, this means that when life feels uncertain, we regain peace by recognizing God’s sovereignty.

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.” (Prov. 19:21)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” (Rom. 8:28)

However, for compensatory control to be effective, we must believe two things:

God is benevolent – He genuinely cares for us (Jer. 31:3).
God is competent – He has the power to act on our behalf (Matt. 19:26).

When we embrace these truths, uncertainty loses its power over us.

Surrendering Prayer: A Neuroscientific and Biblical Practice

One of the most effective ways to cultivate certainty during uncertain circumstances is through surrendering prayer. Research shows that prayer can lower stress, reduce intolerance to uncertainty, and even change brain activity. One study found that prayer leads to lower stress levels over time, creating a cycle of increased resilience.

But not all prayer has this effect. Prayer that focuses solely on the problem can actually increase anxiety. The key is surrendering prayer—a practice of entrusting uncertainties to God while affirming His wisdom, control, and goodness.

Jesuit priest Claude de la Colombière (1641–1682) taught that surrendering to God’s providence in daily life increases peace, happiness, and contentment. To cultivate this mindset, he recommended:

Practicing submission to God’s will in small daily decisions.
Placing faith in God’s protective care rather than personal control.

Modern research affirms these principles. When we pray with an attitude of surrender, we:

Reduce mental overactivity and worry.
Lower our body’s stress response.
Increase confidence that God will provide.
Gain freedom from the expectations of others.
Shift from control-seeking to trust.

A Simple Prayer for Uncertainty

The next time you or someone you coach or counsel faces uncertainty, try this prayer:

“Lord, You know I’m struggling with uncertainty about (name the situation). I affirm that You love me, You are in control, and You will sustain me. I surrender my need to know the outcome. Help me trust You fully. Amen.”

Journaling this prayer can further strengthen its impact.

Final Thoughts: Teaching Certainty in an Uncertain World

As Christian coaches and counselors, we have a unique opportunity to help others navigate uncertainty with both faith and science. By teaching biblical principles of trust and surrender, alongside neuroscience-backed practices, we can guide people toward true certainty—the unshakable confidence that God is in control.

Let’s not seek certainty in circumstances, but in Christ. As Oswald Chambers put it:

“We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God.”

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Charles coaches and equips pastors, business leaders, and teams to effectively navigate the unique challenges ministry brings. By blending biblical principles with cutting-edge brain-based practices, he helps them enhance their leadership abilities, elevate their preaching/ teaching skills, and prioritize self-care.

As pastor for over 42 years, he has served as a lead pastor, associate pastor, and church planter. As a published author he has published eight books, the most recent one published in March, 2025 comes from Moody Press, Stress Less: 9 Habits from the Bible and Brain Science to Build Resilience and Reduce Anxiety. In this book, Charles outlines nine habits and attitudes that, when guided by the Holy Spirit, can enhance our resilience to stress and help us experience the joy that Jesus promises. These foundational sources are based on biblical truth, brain science, and best practices.

His articles have appeared over 300 times on various Christian leadership websites. He holds four earned academic degrees, including am MDiv, a DMin. and a Ph.D. In addition, he has earned an executive master’s degree in the neuroscience of leadership, a graduate certificate in Mind, Brain, and Teaching from Johns Hopkins University, and a professional master’s in sleep medicine. His Ph.D. dissertation focused on chronic stress in pastors. He has an International Coach Federation certification, ACC (Associate Certified Coach). He has been married for 44 years and has three adult children and five grandchildren. For more information and to follow his blogs, visit www.charlesstone.com.