Formula for Your Mind
False accusations, cruelty, wickedness, war, trouble, and loneliness; sound familiar? Do you want a distraction, to escape, or to run away? I would not blame you. However, running and isolating is not a flourishing solution. So, how then, do we live in a culture saturated with evil? How do we protect our minds?
I will give you a clue. What you fixate on, you will fixate on. Seems obvious, right? But it's not. It's subtle.
As Christians, we need to know our enemy is crafty, skilled, and working against us. At the same time, we need to know he is defeated and just a tiny little speck under Jesus’s glory and power. Scripture says,
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against… the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in him." Colossians 2:15
“…that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet…” Romans 16:20
Have we forgotten that Jesus said that the Holy Spirit dwells within us and that He intercedes for us continually in Heaven?
“Christ Jesus… is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:34
“He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
Christ reigns with all authority, believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and Jesus actively intercedes on our behalf. That is at times, too great a wonder to comprehend. The great gift (salvation, grace, Holy Spirit) has been given. Even when we don’t deserve it. So, how then shall we live in a disheartened world victoriously?
First, you have to know, that you know, that God is good. I mean it. Integrated that into who you are. When we have that etched in our souls, we can handle any tragedy, oppression, or adverse life event that comes our way. Because we know that our God is good and works all things to His glory. Interestingly, scripture shows both endurance and lament coexisting. Knowing God is a good God can help us persevere under His wing by His providential care.
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3
Is it really that simple? Yes and no. Yes, that's the short answer. We can look for God in everything. Any circumstance, trial, or negative thought can point to God or away from God. Our discernment depends on which way we focus. To clarify, seeing through a lens of God’s sovereignty/truth, not implying all things are good in themselves.
The long answer is still yes. But how we get to flourishing isn't always a quick fix. Telling someone to focus on God can seem belittling when their circumstances are crushing them, even if it’s the truth. We know that is the answer, but sometimes head knowledge takes a bit to get to our hearts.
Scripture can help us prepare for the hard times as well as the good times. Not a devotional, not a YouTube video, not a cute meme, but Scripture. Scripture alone is living, transforming, and heart-convicting. All others can help, but they are no substitute. Why? I can give you some neuroscience to explain.
First, I am not a neuroscientist, but I have some training in neuroscience. My passion for neuroscience was born out of my love of God and understanding psychology and how it all works. I won’t bore you with that. But here is my layman’s understanding.
Our emotions are processed very quickly in parts of the brain like the amygdala, which is part of the limbic system. Your amygdala fires fast, and your prefrontal cortex steps in to guide it. That’s why we often feel something before we’ve had time to think it through.
Slower, more deliberate thinking happens in the prefrontal cortex, which helps us reason, evaluate, regulate, and respond wisely.
The hippocampus and broader nervous system help connect emotion, memory, and bodily reactions, giving context to what we’re feeling.
There is a “pause” that happens when the prefrontal cortex engages and regulates the initial emotional reaction. This allows us to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting automatically.
If I lost you, basically what I'm trying to say is that the process of reading God’s word, pondering it, and processing it not only transforms us spiritually but also biologically in our brain. We are, in a sense, strengthening our reason and logic, which can lead more to wise decisions than to impulsive ones. Also, Scripture can transform our desires, affections, and will, not just logic.
This means, that God’s Word shapes us over time. It also trains how we think, respond, and make decisions. Transformation comes through consistent renewal of the mind (Romans 12:2). And while many things can shape our thinking, I believe that no other book transforms your soul like God’s Word does. Not one.
We need to be aware and be prepared. The old saying ‘wherever you go, there you are’ rings true here. Sin has a way of finding its way back to tempt you. The devil and demons are carefully plotting their strategy to distract you, convince you that God doesn’t care, and wreak chaos and destruction anywhere they can. Even our own temptations can arise from our own flesh to create chaos.
It is in our best interest to read God’s word, prepare for battle, and then stand victoriously when trials come, because we know without a doubt that our God is good and reigns over any accusation, any event in our lives. We need to remember we dont do it alone, we have a helper to guide us found in the Holy Spirit.
And remember, a good way to know God is good beyond a shadow of a doubt is to spend time with Him. Yes, God also reveals His goodness through creation and experience, but His Word grounds and confirms it fully.
References
Light University. (n.d.). Brain health and neuroscience coaching. https://lightuniversity.com/brain-health-and-neuroscience-coaching/
New International Bible. (2011). Zondervan. (Original work published 1978).
