Switch on Your Brain
Called 2 Love Like Jesus Switch on Your Brain
The ability to quiet your mind, focus your attention on the present issue, capture your thoughts, and dismiss the distractions that come your way is an excellent and powerful ability that God has placed within you. In the busy age we live in, however, we have trained ourselves out of this natural and necessary skill.
From Switch on Your Brain by Caroline Leaf
[It is natural] because it is wired into the design of the brain, allowing the brain to capture and discipline chaotic rogue thoughts; [it is] necessary because it calms our spirits, so we can tune in and listen to God. When we are mindful of catching our thoughts in this way, we change our connection with God from [being] uninvolved and independent, to involved and dependent. When we objectively observe our own thinking with the view to capture rogue thoughts, we in effect direct our attention to stop the negative impact and rewire healthy new circuits into our brain.
The primary success of capturing your thoughts will be to focus on God's way first, not the world's ways. And science is showing that meditating on the elements of Jesus' teachings rewires healthy new circuits in the brain.
It Only Takes Five to Sixteen Minutes a Day
Research has shown that merely five to sixteen minutes a day of focused, meditative capturing of thoughts shifts frontal brain states. Afterward, you are more likely to engage with the world. Research also showed that those same five to sixteen minutes of intense, deep thinking activity increased the chances of a happier outlook on life.
God has blessed us with powerful and sound minds (2 Timothy 2:17). God has designed the frontal lobe of our brains precisely to do this: to handle his thought projects. This perspective is highlighted in the Message version of 2 Corinthians 10:5:
“We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building the lives of obedience into maturity.” (MSG)
Encounter Jesus
Spend the next few moments reflecting on the parts of your life that cause anxiety, worry, stress, or heartache. Imagine those circumstances and the thoughts that go with them as fiery arrows, intent on causing harm. Talk to the Prince of Peace about these things, and then ask Jesus to replace those thoughts with his: Holy Spirit, as the guard of my mind and my heart, would you replace these unhealthy thoughts with yours? Instead of those fiery arrows, what true, lovely, right, pure, and honorable thoughts do you want me to have? Tell me, Lord—I am listening!
A Spirit-empowered disciple regularly talks to and listens to God in prayer for daily decisions and direction for life.
Much love and prayers,
Pastor Mike.
PS Mike would like to visit with you, preferably at home sometime, just to connect, listen and pray together. You can set up an appointment yourself by clicking here and choosing a day/time.