October 13: Train Your Brain Day

 October 13:  Train Your Brain Day

Each day, one “muscle” shapes everything we do and how we experience the world around us. It isn’t an actual muscle, but it is easily more powerful than even the strongest muscle. Our mind can make us sick, or make us well, it can drive us to see deception and paranoia in the actions of others, and it helps us make sense of the world around us. Train Your Brain Day recognizes the power of the mind, and how training it can change our lives dramatically. 

Science tells us that we use only a small percentage of our brain.  Have you imagined what a fully functioning, untouched-by-sin brain could do?  Could we move objects with our mind, dematerialize, or even fly?  While still the stuff of science fiction, the fact remains that we need to train our brains now with one goal in mind.  Transformation. 

Romans 12:2 gives us clear marching orders.  “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.” 

Would you like to know God’s will for your life?  In the broadest sense, we already do.  1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, and 1 Peter 2:15 all make clear that God wills for each of us to become like Christ, to give thanks in all things and to do good works so that others might believe.  But our daily walk is another matter.  What job should I take, who should I marry, what major purchases should I make, what school should I go to?  Questions like these and a thousand more abound.  How can we discern God’s will in these things? 

By training your brain.  Simple, but not easy.  Two things are critical.  First, we must implore God’s Spirit to help us break the habit of thinking like the world, and instead, thinking like Jesus.  “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).  Only God’s Spirit can properly oversee our brain training. 

Second, we must treat God’s word for what it is—sweet honey, precious stones, pure gold.  I know.  I struggle as well.  But we must commit time every day to reading, listening to and studying the word of God. Under the supervision of the Holy Spirit, it is unparalleled in re-training our brains to think and feel and act like Jesus Himself.  So today, recommit to training your brain.  Do so, and your spirit at least, will fly.