Science of the Brain and God
I’ve been studying the amazing abilities of the brain and one of the most incredible capabilities is called neuroplasticity which is the brain's lifelong physical and structural ability to adapt, learn, and reorganize its neural connections in response to new experiences, learning, or injury (AI generated definition). In simpler terms, neuroplasticity is the process of building connection between neurons (signal transmitters) to make repetitive actions and thoughts easier to do. The brain is indifferent to those actions and thoughts being good or bad, its only objective is to make them easier to do by enhancing the brain’s ability to send those signals.
Your brain is going to seek to make your repetitive thoughts easier. If you regularly wake up thinking your day ahead is going to be difficult, your brain will seek out examples to confirm and strengthen those thoughts making it easier to have the same thoughts tomorrow. The opposite is also true, and your brain will focus on finding good things throughout the day.
Now here’s the really cool part, while you can’t stop the neuroplasticity process, you can manipulate that process. What I mean by that is you can tell your brain which actions and thoughts it should make easier. And what’s even cooler is Scripture gives us instructions for how to do that.
Scripture Examples:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2
For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. - 1 Cor. 2:16
The only thing different from when those instructions were penned and today, is today we have science to prove it works. A neuroimaging study (mapping of the brain using MRIs) showed that meditators had thicker gray matter in the areas of the brain associated with self-awareness and compassion, while the regions associated with stress actually shrank [1]
Gray matter is a major component of the central nervous system that primarily processes and interprets information, handling thinking, memory, emotions, movement, and sensory perception (AI generated definition).
That’s a lot of science, but how is that relevant to our faith?
I noted that the Bible is full of instruction on how to manipulate the neuroplasticity process of your brain. Not only that but the science also proves God’s instructions in the Bible should be at the core of our being.
More Scriptural Instruction:
do not be anxious [divided or distracted] about anything, but in everything [repetitive action] by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving [focus on good things] let your requests be made known to God. - Philippians 4:6
Finally, brothers, 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 [meditate] about these things. - Philippians 4:8
I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. - Psalm 119:15
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. - Joshua 1:8
On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. - Psalm 145:5
Pulling It All Together
The more you study and meditate on God’s Word the easier it will become to do those things. The more you focus on God’s grace, mercy, love, peace, protection, etc. the easier it will become to have positive thoughts about ways to Glorify God and be content with life.
God’s Word is the roadmap to his desires for you to have peace and joy in the midst of any situation and to see his hand in all of it.
[1] The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery: Connecting Neuroscience and Faith to Radically Transform Your Life - W. Lee Warren, MD.
