Today I came across an article about  Elizabeth Blackburn, PhD, who won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2009 for discovering the molecular nature of telomeres, which protect our chromosomes and slow aging. She also found 5 things that speed up aging by decreasing the length of telomeres  .

As I read the article, I recognized every negative, for God explained each one to us thousands of years ago; see if you can recognize them, too. Below are quotes from the article and the biblical statement about the same truth.

Cynical Hostility

Someone with hostility doesn’t just think, ‘I hate to stand in long lines at the grocery store, ‘ they think, ‘That other shopper deliberately sped up and beat me to my rightful position in the line!’—and then they seethe.” Such hostility was highly associated with increased risk of disease and mortality.

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.: Psalm 23:1

Pessimism

Pessimism has very serious negative effects on telomeres. In a smaller study it was found  that women who scored high in pessimism had shorter telomeres meaning they age faster..

The Word says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil. 4:8

Rumination

There are many people whose thinking is often in a state of anxiety and self-compulsion, unable to let go of something, Studies have found that obsession with these entanglements can also affect the body’s immune cells and shorten telomeres.

The Word says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil 4:6

Thought Suppression

Everyone will encounter troubles. Sometimes we voluntarily push unpleasant thoughts away, without resolving  them. This will also affect telomere length.

The Word says, “Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.” [this means telling God all you are thinking, feeling and wanting, a processing them  with Scripture0] Psalm 86:4

Distraction

We all know that many highly accomplished individuals have strong powers of focus and concentration.However, many people are easily distracted by the external environment. [Think phones and computers).

The Word says, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Psalm 119:10,11

Anti-Aging and Awareness

Positive thinking improves health on a genetic level. “Thought awareness promotes stress resilience,”

The Word says, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” 1 Thes 5:18

The biblical conclusion:

Walk in obedience to God and age more slowly! “Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”  Psalm 34:11-14

Picture:  the decrease of telomeres over time bringing aging