Living On Purpose In Christ | Biblical Encouragement, Aromatherapy, Devotions, Essential Oils, Daily Prayer, Journal Prompts

111 | Faith, Aroma, Memory and Brain Health: Journaling Prompts for Busy Christians

• Paula Behrens | Christian Coach, Pastor, Certified Essential Oils Practitioner

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What if your sense of smell could become a doorway to prayer, clarity, and a steadier mind? We explore the surprising intersection of fragrance, Scripture, and cognitive health, showing how a simple, scent-linked devotion can calm your nervous system, strengthen memory, and make prayer feel alive again. Drawing from recent research on olfactory enrichment in older adults—as well as the biblical theme of breath and Spirit—we map out a gentle practice that fits real life, not a fantasy schedule.

We start with the science: smell signals route straight to the limbic system, which means a familiar aroma can quickly restore focus and recall. Then we translate that insight into a grace-filled routine. You’ll learn a morning breath prayer that pairs a chosen scent with a short verse, a one-minute midday reset to renew your mind, and a bedtime diffuser ritual inspired by studies showing meaningful memory improvement. Along the way, we keep the heart central: this is not about magic oils or perfect streaks; it’s about stewardship of body and brain as part of following Jesus with intention.

You’ll hear stories of messy schedules, mismatched shoes, and the relief of starting small: one drop, one breath, one prayer. We outline habit tools like cue routine reward, journal prompts to notice tiny wins, and ways to hold your worth in grace while building consistency. By integrating scent with Scripture, you create a reliable cue that helps your soul arrive, even on hurried days. The result is a life that inhales peace and exhales worry, anchored in presence and purpose.

If this resonates, subscribe, share this episode with a friend who needs calm and clarity, and leave a review to help others find the show. Then join the community at DevotionDrops.com to grab your copy of the companion guide: "Awaken to Aroma: Scent, Scripture & Brain Health." 

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Paula Behrens:

Have you ever paused long enough to actually smell something? The fragrance of rose, the crisp tang of lemon, the soft calm of lavender, and felt something stir inside? Not just a passing whiff, but a moment of inhalation, of awareness of the body and soul aligning? What if I told you that this simple act, inhaling a scent, might do more than just delight your senses? What if it could link into something far deeper, your faith, your purpose, and yes, even your brain health? Today we're going to explore the unexpected intersection of faith and fragrance, of Bible study and scent awareness, of daily prayer and cognitive well-being, because recent research holds a fascinating message for busy Christians who long to weave faith into everyday life. The sense of smell isn't just sentimental, it's sacred, and it may hold keys to remembering more clearly, living more purposefully, and staying spiritually awake in the midst of life's rush. Keep listening, and I'll tell you how to claim your free printable journal for improving memory and brain function. But first, funny story.

Paula Behrens:

When I first began my seminary work while serving two church congregations full-time, everyone assumed I had my daily devotional time perfectly organized. But truth be told, there were mornings I could barely find five minutes to catch my breath, let alone dive into deep reflection. One day, as I rushed out the door with mismatched shoes, I realized that even in my chaos, there was a lesson. Embracing God's grace and self-forgiveness, I realized that true success in my devotional life requires prioritizing my spiritual practices.

Paula Behrens:

Are you finding it challenging to maintain your spiritual practices or yearning for a more peaceful, God-aligned day? I'm Paula, and I've been there too. Balancing spiritual habits with a busy life can be difficult. I longed for a deeper connection with God but struggled with consistency. Then I found the perfect approach. If you seek simple ways to deepen your connection with God, this podcast is for you. Please take a moment to follow the show, leave a review, and share with your friends who need a little biblical encouragement today.

Paula Behrens:

Friend, have you ever sat down with your Bible, a cup of tea, and high hopes for a quiet moment with the Lord—only to find your mind racing with to-do lists, your spirit distracted, and your heart dry? I remember a season when my spiritual life felt more like a checklist than a connection. I had a book of prayers, a seminary degree, and even my favorite kneeling rail in my office. But truthfully, I was just going through the motions at that time. I was hungry for more, more peace, more presence, more of God. I was showing up with all the right tools, but none of the soul satisfying stillness I craved. My time with God became something I did, not something I delighted in. Then the Lord gently reminded me, He never asked me for polished prayers or perfect discipline. He just wanted my presence. And from that moment on, I began creating a space to simply be with him. I built a new rhythm, one that was deeply rooted in grace, filled with scripture, and supported by the soothing presence of his creation that helped me slow down and breathe in deeply. That sacred rhythm is what I now share in the Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour. Whether you're spiritually weary, stuck in a routine, or longing for a fresh encounter with the Holy Spirit, this hour is your invitation to begin again with grace.

Paula Behrens:

Before our coaching call, you'll receive an essential oil sampler to use during our online session to enhance this fun spiritual journey. Together, we'll craft a practice that helps you feel grounded, nourished, and deeply connected to God, mind, body, and spirit. You don't have to keep trying to figure it out all on your own. There's a simple way to grow in faith and draw near to God, and I'd be honored to help you find it. Let's breathe in His peace. Let's rediscover His presence. Let's begin again together. Book your Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour at PaulaBehrens.com /coaching. That's Paula Behrens B-E-H R E N S .com /coaching (no spaces). All right, it's time to get started. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal, and cozy up to your favorite beverage and let's dive in.

Paula Behrens:

Hey friend, what if one of the simplest senses you have, your sense of smell, is quietly signaling something about your mental life and your spiritual journey? Research shows that the decline of olfaction, our ability to smell, often precedes cognitive decline as well. There's an association between loss of smell and shrinkage in brain matter, gray and white. In short, when smell fades, brain pathways linked to memory and decision making often falter too. In light of that, scientists asked, could the reverse be true? Could enhancing our sense of smell, our exposure to fragrance actually improve memory and neural functioning? The answer came boldly. Yes. In a controlled study, older adults ages 60 to 85 used a diffuser and rotated among seven essential oils for two hours each night over six months. The olfactory enrichment group improved their memory scores by a staggering 226% compared to controls. What does that mean for us as Christians and maybe even leaders within the church weaving faith, devotion, purpose, and everyday tasks together? It means our bodies are intricately designed to invite spiritual sensory alignment. What we pray, what we meditate on, and even what we breathe in, these all can be intentional actions, fostering deeper connections to God's peace and presence.

Paula Behrens:

Let's unpack more deeply why scent matters so much and where God's design meets our daily rhythm. Smell has a unique trajectory in the brain. Unlike sound or sight, olfactory signals flow straight into the limbic system, the emotional and memory center of the brain. That's why a scent can instantly trigger a memory, a mood, a prayer. It has privileged access. Researchers described how aromatic molecules travel to areas of the brain relevant to memory and the sense of smell, potentially helping to normalize brain circuitry linked to memory. In faith terms, consider how scripture speaks to breath, spirit, life. The Hebrew word for spirit also means breath or wind. God formed man from the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Genesis 2.7). Your inhalation is part of the invisible economy of your soul. You breathe in, you receive life, you offer out. When you pair that with devotion, you're not just breathing air. In a sense, you're breathing in God's presence.

Paula Behrens:

Now, think about your busy day. You might step from car to church office, from meeting to grocery aisle, from running errands to kitchen table. You might feel fragmented, mind turning, thoughts scattered, and prayer window squeezed. But what if you paused for a minute and simply inhaled something sacred, a scent you associate with God's peace or with your quiet time? Maybe lavender, maybe rosemary, maybe rose. And as you breathed, you offered up a silent prayer, saying, Lord, I inhale peace. I exhale my worries. Because your brain is listening to your nose. Your body is wired to notice smells and link them to memory, and your soul is wired for communion, for presence, and for a purpose.

Paula Behrens:

So how do you actually integrate this into your life, your morning devotions, your Bible study, your journaling prompts, your daily prayer, without adding a huge new to-do? Here's a scripture-anchored, simple rhythm you can start tomorrow. Before you reach for your phone, sit quietly. Choose a scent, maybe a drop of essential oil in the palms of your hands, or a small difusser beside you. As you breathe it in, say, Spirit of the Lord, breathe in me. As you breathe out, say, purpose of Christ, flow through me. Sit with God, just listening for a few minutes, if you like. Let the scent become a symbol of his enduring presence, even as your schedule picks up. When lunch beckons or your to-do list is looming, pause for one minute. Close your eyes, inhale the scent again. Read one short passage of scripture, perhaps Romans 12, verses 1 through 2, about offering your body as a living sacrifice and renewing your mind. By combining scent with scripture, you're not just renewing your thoughts, but your neural circuitry as well. Yes, science says smell matters to your brain. That one-minute break you take is not just for rest, but for alignment. As your day winds down and you journal, reflect. What fragrances or sensations did I inhale today, literally or metaphorically? Did I inhale anxiety? Did I catch peace? Where did my mind dwell in smell sensor mode?

Paula Behrens:

When you get ready for bed, this is where the study we mentioned really shines. Nightly exposure to fragrances improve memory and neural pathways. So for you, before sleep, you might place a diffuser with one of the oils, rose, lemon, lavender, etc., as it disperses the aroma into the air, you pray, Lord Jesus, let the fragrance of Christ rest in me, renew my mind, restore my memory, align my soul. Then you drift off to sleep. Because in rest, God works, and your body, your brain, your spirit are all invited to rest together. This isn't about essential oils being magic or replacing scripture. This is about recognizing the good design of God's creation, that our physical bodies, our senses, our brain structures, even our olfactory nerve have been wired by the Creator in such a way that smell connects to memory, to the mind, to the spirit. When we use our senses intentionally in worship, in devotion, in purpose-filled daily life, we are being good stewards of that design. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians chapter 6, verses 19 through 20, that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. If that's true, then caring for our senses, our brain health, our rest, and our rhythms is part of our spiritual walk.

Paula Behrens:

The research shows that olfactory decline predicts cognitive decline. It's as if God whispers, take care of the body I gave you. Don't neglect your senses. Inhale deeply, live deliberately. And as Christians on a path to purpose, our mission is twofold. To live out our faith in the busyness of today and preserve the mind and heart for the tomorrow's God has planned. Journaling prompts help you think through what you believe. Daily prayer keeps you connected. Devotions ground you in truth. And yes, something as simple as aroma can help your brain remember: you are His. You are created for a purpose. You are not just existing. You are thriving. Now I know the reality. Life gets really busy. Sometimes the diffuser sits untouched. Sometimes you're too tired to journal. Sometimes your Bible study gets pushed to the side. So how do you stay consistent with something that integrates both your faith walk and your sense of smell? Well, here's a little encouragement.

Paula Behrens:

First, start small. You don't need a full essential oil ritual every morning. One drop, one intentional breath, one prayer. The study with the 226% improvement involved older adults doing a scent rotation every night for six months, but you don't have to replicate all of it exactly to gain benefit.

Paula Behrens:

Second, build the cue routine reward loop. The scent becomes your cue, the devotion and prayer becomes your routine. The reward is the peace and awareness you feel. After a few days, the scent itself will trigger your soul to slow down and to remember Christ.

Paula Behrens:

Third, journal your tiny wins. For example, write, last week I inhaled the aroma of lemon while praying, and I felt calmer than I expected to. Tracking the little moments gives you evidence, even if brain MRI isn't feasible.

Paula Behrens:

Fourth, remember the Gospel Foundation. Your worth and your purpose don't depend on brain test scores. Your ability to love God, to love others, to remember the promises of Scripture does depend on an alert mind and an undistracted heart. Your brain health is part of living out that calling.

Paula Behrens:

Picture this. Years from now, you're sitting on your porch, journal in hand, the scent of lavender drifting in from a diffuser beside you. The children are grown, or maybe they're still with you. The schedule is still full, but something has changed. You don't lose yourself in the busyness so easily. You remember, you tune in, you breathe in the presence of Christ, you offer out life in purpose and clarity. You live on purpose in Christ because daily, bodily, spiritually, you show up, you inhale courage, you exhale fears. You remember that God made your mind, your body, and your senses not just to be used, but as touch points for worship of Him, to be aligned, to thrive. And when the world asks, how do you manage faith and hurry and memory and mind? You smile and say, I breathe. I remember, I depend on Him, because your faith is not just a compartment of your life, it is the fragrance that fills it.

Paula Behrens:

If you want to experience this rhythm more fully and with guidance, I invite you to join our Facebook group and be the first to access next month's free guide, "Awaken to Aroma, Scent, Scripture, and Brain Health." This valuable companion devotional will teach you how to use essential oils effectively, modeled after the olfactory enrichment study that revealed a 226% boost in cognition and memory. Go right now to devotiondrops.com to join the group. That's devotion drops D-R-O-P-S .com (no spaces).

Paula Behrens:

Let's pray. Lord Jesus, you are the breath of life among us. May we feel your presence in every inhale, in the scents surrounding us, and in the small acts of anchoring our busy days. We ask you to guard our minds, preserve the pathways of memory, and align our hearts with your purpose. As we breathe in aroma reminding us of you, help us to release what clutters our souls. In this quiet moment, may we be still and know that you are God. Amen.

Paula Behrens:

Thank you for tuning in today. And remember, just like setting biblical boundaries, it's okay to say no to things that don't serve you well, like that third piece of cake at the church potluck. If you were blessed by this episode, be sure to share it with a friend and leave a review so that we can reach even more listeners like you. Check the show notes for all the links. Join us next week as we continue to discover how to live on purpose in Christ. Until then, keep leaning into Him and walking in His wisdom. See you next time.