There is a common misconception that Christianity is opposed to science. Francis Bacon, known for developing the scientific method and considered the father of modern science, was a Christian. True, unbiased science is the study of what God has created and for me it is fascinating. The more I study science the more I am in awe of the Master Designer.
As I learn about neuroplasticity-the ability of our brain to rewire itself-I am excited to learn a deeper understanding of why the Bible instructs us to choose carefully what we think and how we think.
Do you notice how many of our conversations seem to naturally tend to the negative? Complaining about what is wrong, about what we don’t have, about the wrong actions and decisions of others? It’s easier to find fault than to celebrate the good.
Our brains natural default is negativity. This tendency is part of what is referred to in Romans 12:2 as the mind of this world. “Do not be conformed to this world, be transformed by the renewing of your minds…” Our minds need renewal from the tendency to go negative. And from the lies that we have believed about ourselves, about others, about God.
We can’t believe everything that our brains tell us.
Our brains don’t wire according to what is true. They wire according to what our mind consistently feeds it. Our brains work to keep us safe and to prove what our minds have fed it.
We have all experienced terror we can feel when there is no imminent danger. Our imaginations are powerful. They give our brains signals and it responds to keep us safe-whether the danger is real or not.
Take the placebo effect. Believing that a certain treatment will heal us can actually have that effect even when it is sugar pills. Our brains don’t know if the treatment is real, it wires according to what we believe. And numerous studies confirm the legitimacy of this-people are healed because they believed they would benefit from the treatment.
Consider confirmation bias-I decide I don’t like a person, the reason doesn’t matter so much as the fact that I have decided not to like them. My brain goes to work to validate that belief. Now whatever they say or do is seen through that filter and it confirms the legitimacy of my decision. They don’t stand a chance. As long as I hold that belief I am not free to see them as who they are. I see them the way I want to see them, validating my stance.
How many relationships have been ruined in your life, in mine by being blind to the truth about a situation, a person because of what we chose to believe?
The good news is that we can change the messages that we give our brain. That is our choice. When we do this consistently our brain rewires itself to adapt to the new beliefs. The Bible has been telling us this all along. Now neuroscience gives us images to see the physiological changes to our brain.
In Philippians 4:8 we are told “…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
This is how we change the messages our brain gives back to us. Fascinating.
Persistent negative thoughts, lies that make us doubt who we are, to doubt the goodness and love of God can keep us stuck. I know this well.
But God has given us a way out-by consistently choosing to believe what is true. As we do this, new pathways in our brain are formed. As we continue this we are less and less subject to the lies and negativity that try to control us.
In my coaching practice I work with clients to follow the Biblical model of renewing their mind. We start with a simple process that I developed called the RAA method.
Is it time for you to take control of your mind? Let’s schedule a time to chat.
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