You Were Created for Mind Renewal - Discover the Truth About Your Amazing Brain!
In this blog post we’re going to uncover how God designed you for mind renewal and gave you very specific brain structures to aid in the process. He knew we’d need to renew our thoughts in order to break free from painful experiences all humans encounter. God loves us so much that He’s given you everything you need to be an overcomer. Join me today as we discover these powerful truths and how you can begin to tap into them.
Before we jump in I want to remind you that you're invited to join our free community! People just like you who are rediscovering joy and peace by implementing the scientific and biblical principles found in this podcast and through the weekly challenges posted in the group. We share our successes, tips, and provide accountability that calms the chaos. Find us on Facebook at Mind Renewal Solutions Made Simple!
You are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
The phrase "you are fearfully and wonderfully made" is a well-known scripture from Psalm 139:14, expressing awe and admiration for the intricate and beautiful design of human beings by God. It highlights both the complexity and intentionality of human creation.
"Fearfully" suggests a sense of reverence and awe, recognizing the profound and sacred nature of human creation. "Wonderfully made" emphasizes the complexity and beauty of God's creation, reflecting His wisdom and power.
This phrase aligns with the biblical concept of humans being created in God's image, emphasizing their unique value and purpose. It is often used to encourage people to appreciate their own unique gifts and potential.
Psalm 139 also speaks of God's intimate knowledge of individuals from conception, highlighting his constant presence and care. This powerful scripture took on even more meaning to me when I started to dig deeper into the scientific and biblical principles of mind renewal.
God designed us with very specific brain structures that give us the ability to take thoughts captive, to control our emotions, and to rewire toxic thoughts.
I remember a time when my emotions could put me into a tailspin and completely derail me. I felt like my emotions controlled me and that I was always in reaction mode. Have you ever been in a situation when you say something aloud and then immediately wish you could pull it back? This is exactly what I’m referring to.
Then I learned a powerful truth. Emotions, behaviors, perspectives, and bodily sensations are all produced by our thoughts. An emotional reaction is a response to a thought. If I wanted to control my emotions, I was first going to have to learn how to control my thoughts.
That is why the Bible instructs us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. When we take the thought captive, we then put our emotions and behaviors in check.
I’m going to teach you about the brain structures that God designed us with that actually give you the power to control your thoughts and reactions to those thoughts.
Your Self-Regulation System
In recent years there’s been a lot of discussion about our Limbic System and its important role in mental health. This system is a group of brain components that help regulate your emotions and behaviors.
These parts work together to process memory, thoughts and motivations, and tell your body how to respond.
Three of the most important components of this system are the hypothalamus, the amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex. When you better understand how these work, you can better understand how to regulate your emotions and behaviors.
Your Emotions Trigger the Brain’s Chemical Factory
Let’s dive in – beginning with your internal chemical factory! It’s called the hypothalamus.
The chemical factory produces two types of chemicals – love based chemicals such as dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin and serotonin; and fear based chemicals such as cortisol, epinephrine, and adrenaline.
Remember – you are fearfully and wonderfully made. God designed you with an internal blueprint for love and that’s exactly how you began life.
Unfortunately we learn fear from disappointments, painful experiences, trauma, etc. This happens over our lifetimes. What we’ve wired in the most often becomes the default for our chemical factory.
Let me give you an example. I experienced a lot of rejection and uncertainty as a child. This type of fear programming meant that my default thoughts, mindsets and perspectives were mainly fear based. Fear based thoughts trigger the hypothalamus to release fear-based chemicals. Chemicals such as cortisol and adrenaline don’t feel good in the body; causing a heart to race, palms to sweat, headaches, etc.
As you become more aware of how your brain operates, you can direct your thoughts differently, releasing love-based chemicals, improving your health and well-being.
And it’s imperative that you do so. You see. . . .you have one chemical factory that produces two types of chemicals. . . .and it can only produce one type of chemical at a time. That means, if I’m having a stress-based reaction producing cortisol, I must use my powerful mind to stop production of the fear-based chemicals and direct the factory to start producing love-based chemicals to restore my brain and body to peace.
The Reasoning Parts of Your Brain
The second brain structure that works in conjunction with the hypothalamus is the prefrontal cortex. This is the reasoning part of your brain located directly behind your forehead. Reasoning helps us stay calm, cool, and collected; and helps us control our emotions.
If you want to stay in control of your emotions, you need the prefrontal cortex to communicate with the third key brain structure – the amygdala. The amygdala is like a library of stored emotional responses. In all situations, the brain searches the amygdala for an emotional connection to the incoming information BEFORE it sends a message to the chemical factory.
In my situation, I had a pretty toxic relationship with my mother. She could easily trigger a toxic emotional response and behavior in me, which led to stress and fear-based chemicals to release into my system. Ever notice when you’re around toxic people that you have a stomach ache or headache? It’s the fear-based chemicals reacting in your body.
When I started to renew my mind, I would use my prefrontal cortex and reason with my amygdala that I did not have to “take the bait” my mom was casting my way. My stored library of mom emotions was toxic, but I wasn’t choosing toxicity. I wanted to keep my peace and sanity. Being able to reason with the amygdala also stopped the fear-based chemicals from being released.
My emotions were no longer controlling me – I was in charge!
You control your mind, it doesn’t control YOU. When you “think about your thinking” and pay attention to the signals your body is sending you, you’ll be able to coordinate the chemical factory, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala to work for you – not against you.
You Are What You Think
Let me connect this a bit more for you. Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so does he become.” It emphasizes that a person’s inner thoughts and beliefs directly influence their outward behavior and character. It correctly suggests that the quality of a person’s mind shapes their actions and ultimately determines who they become.
This proverb teaches us that by changing our thoughts and beliefs, we can also change our behavior and become the kind of person we desire to be.
I remember sitting at a Joyce Meyer Love Life Conference in 2012 in St. Louis, Missouri. She said, “Your history doesn’t have to be your destiny. Let go of what’s behind and get on with what God has for you.
Don’t let a bad start define you. God has a plan for your redemption and wants to lead you to a great finish. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, with amazing brain structures designed to help you renew your mind.
If you’ve not read the blog post, The Story Behind Day One of Sobriety, I encourage you to read it next. I am a miracle of God. I was rescued, restored, refreshed, and released to live out God’s plan for my life. What God did for me He will do for you too!
Join the Community
I invite you to head over to our Mind Renewal Solution Made Simple Facebook group where you’ll find resources and tips this week geared at helping you apply the information in today’s episode. Remember my mantra – Knowledge fills you up, but application transforms you. Do something with the information you heard today and join us on the healing journey. We’ve linked a really cool video called “Why Babies Aren’t Afraid of Snakes” to prove how we’re wired for love but learn fear. Remember, you can wire out whatever you’ve wired in.
DISCLAIMER: The Day One of Sobriety blog is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult your physician or doctor for all medical advice.
