There are many reasons people reach for a Bible, open its pages, and begin to read.
For some, reading Scripture began as part of discipleship during childhood or early in their faith journey. Others read as part of a daily quiet time to connect with God. Some encounter Scripture through academic study, cultural exposure, social settings, or even technology. Regardless of how we first engage with the Bible, many of us eventually turn to it while seeking comfort, guidance, or hope.
The reality of living in a fallen world brings pain, loss, uncertainty, and struggle. In those moments, we often find ourselves searching for help beyond what the world can offer.
Scripture is filled with encouragement from Jesus, the Old Testament prophets, and the apostles. Beyond direct words of comfort, it contains stories—rich narratives of real people who experienced hardship and sought God’s presence in the midst of deep, messy, and very human emotions. These stories have inspired and sustained believers for generations.
As we read about the lives of Joseph, Job, Esther, Ruth, David, Jonah, Peter, Paul, and ultimately Jesus, we see their humanity on display. Because we are human too, we naturally connect their experiences with our own. At times, this can lead us to misunderstand certain passages through the lens of our modern Western culture rather than their original context. Yet despite these cultural differences, their emotions remain recognizable. When David expresses anguish or Paul rejoices in suffering, we can relate because we have experienced sorrow, fear, joy, and hope ourselves.
These biblical accounts do more than remind us that God is faithful in every season. They also allow us to experience something unique and deeply human.
Over the past several decades, psychological research has explored the role of mirror neurons—a “class of brain cells that fire both when we perform an action and when we observe someone else performing the same action. They are linked to empathy, action understanding, and social connection, enabling us to intuitively grasp others’ thoughts, feelings, and intentions” (Green, 2013).
The existence and activity of mirror neurons highlight something Scripture has taught from the beginning: God created human beings for relationship and community. We were designed to learn, love, nurture, create, grieve, celebrate, and grow alongside others. Research on mirror neurons helps explain a reality humanity has experienced since creation. It offers a valuable lens for understanding spiritual, relational, and emotional growth and may help us recognize why the stories of Scripture can bring comfort during difficult seasons.
When we turn to the Bible in times of trouble, we often seek a verse or passage that speaks directly to our circumstances. Another helpful approach is to study the life of a particular biblical character and consider their story within its broader context. We can reflect on their successes and failures while observing how they responded to fear, grief, disappointment, joy, and hope.
David provides a powerful example. In Psalm 22:1 he cries, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?” Yet in Psalm 34:1 he declares, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” Through David’s words, we witness both honest suffering and enduring faith.
As we read the accounts of people in Scripture, we identify with their emotions and experiences on a neurological as well as a spiritual level. Our brains naturally respond to the stories we observe, helping us access and process our own emotions. In this way, Scripture reminds us that we are not alone. We join a community of believers, past and present, who have wrestled with fear, grief, doubt, hope, and joy while seeking God’s presence.
This sense of connection can be profoundly healing. Feeling seen, understood, and accompanied reduces the isolation that often accompanies suffering.
The next time you open your Bible, look beyond the lesson or application. Pay attention to the people in the story. Notice their emotions, struggles, questions, and responses to God. Consider their experiences mirror your own, and let their journey remind you that God has faithfully met His people in every generation, including yours.
-Courtenay McFarlin – learn more about working with Courtenay here!
Green, A. (2013, September 30). Through a mirror neuron darkly. The Table: Biola University Center for Christian Thought. https://cct.biola.edu/through-mirror-neuron-darkly/
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