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Welcome to Spiritually Fit Today with Arnie Cole and guest Dr. Rob Rhodes. In this episode we explore how gratitude can "crowd out" worry — not by white-knuckling it, but by rewiring an anxious brain through prayer, thankfulness, and practiced perspective. Dr. Rhodes combines clinical insight about neuroplasticity with practical faith steps for reducing anxiety and restoring focus on Christ.
Make it practical — the 4 R action plan:
- Read: Read Philippians 4:6–7 slowly. Let the promise of presenting requests with thanksgiving sink in.
- Reflect: When worry arises, pause and ask: What am I trying to control? How would presenting this to God with thanks change my perspective?
- Respond: Prayer (example): Lord, thank you for your presence and provision. Help me release my anxieties to you, cultivate a grateful heart, and receive your peace. Amen.
- Reveal: Share your gratitude list with someone, offer to pray for a friend, or demonstrate care by doing one small, thankful action for another person.
Today’s simple practice: set aside five minutes to write five things you’re grateful for. When worry flares, immediately counterpunch it with those five items and notice the shift.
Contact: Arnie Cole — arnie.cole@bttb.org
Keywords: gratitude, thankfulness, anxiety, worry, Philippians 4:6-7, prayer, neuroplasticity, spiritual growth, Christian podcast, mental health, faith and science, coping with worry
