Last week I listened to a podcast from Dr. Caroline Leaf, Neuroscientist and Christian on healing the brain. The brain and the mind are not one in the same. We know that our brain is an organ underneath our skull serving to control and organize mental and physical action; much like an events coordinator. The mind however is much harder to define in scientific terms yet God says its simple. Renew your mind.

Dr. Daniel Siegel, a professor of psychiatry at UCLA school of medicine, co-director of the UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center, author of several books and so on writes…

” It is a powerful lens through which we can understand our inner lives with more clarity, integrate the brain, and enhance our relationships with others. Mindset is a kind of focused attention that allows us to see the internal workings of our own minds. It helps us to get ourselves off  of the autopilot of ingrained behaviors and habitual responses. It lets us “name and tame” the emotions we are experiencing, rather than being overwhelmed by them.”

The mind is the activity of the brain. Our senses take in information from our environment, information and energy in relationships are being shared, flowing between and among people. We are taking in information with our senses all of the time. Through our eyes, ears, body language, expression etc.  Siegel goes on to say…

“Our minds are created within relationships- including the one we have with ourselves. Each of us has a unique mind:unique thoughts, feelings, perceptions, memories, beliefs, and attitudes, and a unique set of regulatory patterns. These patterns shape the flow of energy and information inside us, and we share them with other minds.”

“Consider the act of driving. To drive or regulate a car, you must both be aware of its motion and its position in space and also be able to influence how it moves. If you have your hands on the wheel but your eyes are shut or focused on text messages, you can make the car move but you are not driving it- because driving means regulating the car’s movement, its flow across time. If you have your eyes open but are sitting in the backseat, you can monitor the movement of the car and make comments but you can’t actually modify its motion yourself.”

You may have grown up in a home that was full of chaos and or rigidity. You didn’t have a choice in what family you would be raised. Possibly your parents mindsets were pushed on you, some good and some not so good. The good news is is that everyday is a new day to renew your mind. Science and God shows us that damage to the brain can occur through toxic mindsets. For example, you can’t get over what happened to you so you play those thoughts and emotions on repeat. The mind observes what you are thinking, the information given and creates characteristics and patterns that can leave us stuck in motion. We say, “well it’s not my fault what happened to me.  I didn’t have a choice in the matter.” This could very well be a truth statement but we do have a choice in what we do going forward.” Our creator and yes we have a creator says, “Come to Me.” He promises to help us as we spend time with Him through prayer or as I like to call it talking to Him like I would a friend. He specifically states that we are to renew our minds daily. What are we allowing in? Who are we allowing in?

We have the ability to heal our brains through healing our minds. “I did not give you a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind.”  Our soul is different from our spirit. Our soul is our mind. What kinda of junk are we allowing into our soul? Here is a list of questions to meditate on. The first part of changing the structure of your brain is to recognize.

Movies/Music/TV/Books-What are you watching, listening to or reading? Be watchful over what you allow in. It can shape your future. I’ve known people who obsess over the news because they watch so much of it. Or have fear because of watching too many scary movies. Are desensitized in general to actions/words.

Watch your circle- who do you spend the most time with?  What are their beliefs, values, character. Will they speak truth or tell you what you want to hear? Have you ever had a friend that agreed with everything you said? Or worse convinced you to dislike someone because they do. Pray for God to hand pick your friends.

Is your home peaceful? If you are a child and your home is not a peaceful home. Ask God to help you and ask Him to bring someone you can trust into your life to share. If it’s abuse call an anonymous hotline. I will add that number at the bottom.

Laziness- Are you lazy? What are you working towards? What are you doing for others? If you know you are lazy then you need to start listening to encouraging messages that will help motivate you. Remember you were made for more. God had an original plan in place for you. He wants you to use the gifts he gave. Ask Him for guidance. You don’t have to believe but Jesus said we will give an account whether you believe or not.

Filling our minds with truth- Who are you? If you are tied to what you do, then you don’t know who you are. If you are tied to what happened to you, then you don’t know who you are. If you are tied to people pleasing, then you don’t know who are you. God says, you are wonderful, made for a purpose. There is no one like you. There is no one like you. There is no one like you so don’t waste time on doing things you know are not good for you. If you are struggling in any area, then talk to God. Tell Him you need His help. Tell him until He moves in your situation. He says, knock and keep knocking. He promises to answer.

Lastly, don’t give up. Use what God gave you for the benefit of others. Don’t stay inward focused. Don’t lavish yourself and forget about others. Open your eyes to what is around you. Who needs your support? Who needs your help? Something shifts on the inside when you get yourself off of yourself. There is great freedom there. You will feel lighter. You will feel more calm. You will feel more settled and God will take care of you when you take care of others.

What are you passionate about? Pursue those passions. If you know it won’t be easy, then you won’t be so likely to give up. Ask God to give you wisdom so you know when to move on and when to press through.

Abuse hotline-1-800-799-7233 Confidential.

http://www.settledownsoul.com