Faith is Never Blind!
Our Neural pathways….
The most fascinating
intersections of neuroscience and God’s Truth, should humble and prostrate all of
us before our Holy, Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent God who gave His
Son Jesus Christ for us. Referring Mark: 5: 1-20; Jesus’s ministry
exemplified compassion for those suffering in body, mind, and spirit, as
demonstrated in His healing of the demon-possessed man.
The above tradition of healing
ministry continued through the early church and medieval periods, where
monasteries often served as places of refuge and care for those experiencing
mental distress. Our brain’s ability to form new neural connections throughout
life shows how consistent faith practices can literally reshape our thought
patterns. This is when we “take every thought captive;”
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing
that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Cori. 10: 5.
Through Biblical meditation and prayer,
we are not only just engaging in spiritual discipline but actually creating new
neural pathways. These neural pathways, make it easier to maintain peace, joy, and
Christ-centered thinking..
At
the heart of any of our belief formation lies the intricate network of neural
connections that make up our brains. These networks are not static; they are
constantly changing, adapting, and reorganizing in response to new information
and experiences we receive in our life. This is called as neuroplasticity This
neuroplasticity is the brain’s superpower; its ability to rewire itself based
on our experiences and learning throughout our life. This is how we are
wired, by our Creator!
Accepting forgiveness from
God is first stage, in metamorphosis. Accepting Christ’s unconditional love and
positivity literally reshapes our brain, and it boosts growth, memory, creativity, and emotional resilience. When we
ask God, who has wired us wonderfully, fearfully, different, in awesomeness
(Ref. Psa. 139), He is able to give us the tender hearts to forgive our
trespassers. This is because His love is poured out in our hearts beyond our
imaginations. God is in us, with us, and through us by His Spirit.
‘God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven
me,’ – may each one of us be able to say that. We shall not feel the divine
sweetness and force of the text unless we can make a personal matter of it by
the Holy Ghost.” (Spurgeon)
Neuroscience studies have shown repeatedly, when we focus on good, our brains
literally rewires itself to look for
more good. This is called neuroplasticity. This is not motivation but
indeed science related to our nervous system.
Who controls?
Our
brains constantly interpreters, filters, process, and gives us the sense of the
world around us where we are placed temporarily.
This brain machine (mind) plays a pivotal role in shaping our beliefs, perceptions,
reasoning and storing all the information both good and bad. There is an intricate relationship between neuroscience
and faith.
The Default Mode Network
(DMN) plays a significant role in understanding the neuroscience of faith. Recent studies suggest
that religious experiences (RSEs) are intricately linked to interactions
between the DMN, the frontoparietal network, and the salience network. These
networks are involved in various phenomena related to faith, including
ecstatic experiences and mystical states. The DMN's activity may influence how
individuals perceive and engage with spiritual experiences, highlighting the
complex interplay between brain function and religious beliefs.[i]
Our brains are fired to following our beliefs.
Our brain cannot distinguish between what is real from what is physically
imaginable! This means when God transforms our mind, He also transforms our reality.
Inside our minds, we have the RAS (Reticular activating system).
This is our brain’s gate keeper, filtering through millions of thoughts and
information, every second. This only lets through what matters which our brain already
believes to be true. This means when we believe we are not good enough, our
brains will sub-consciously approve of this, even in conversations, outcomes,
and even in the way people’s response to us.
The Reticular Activating System (RAS) regulates wakefulness, attention, and sensory filtering, acting as the brain’s gatekeeper for consciousness and focus.[ii]
BUT: If we believe that
we are loved, chosen, and capable and align our thoughts with what God said,
and of what is written in God’s word, our brain starts scanning in the
world for the evidences of God’s goodness instead. It is not manifestation, but
it is how God designed our brain to follow and build faith, and this is how
our nervous system works. The Bible says, For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Prov. 23:7 a.
This is how faith builds the unseen with
the seen. We are not pretending with something into our
system. We are in-fact partnering
with God who wired our mind, to bring heaven’s reality into our daily life.
When we rest and finally stop striving, our brains enter a state called beta,
and that is when our DMN, (default mode net work) quiets down, making our mind
more suggestable and more open to renewal.
Beta waves are
essential for staying productive and focused. These signals, known as
brainwaves, are patterns of electrical impulses created by neurons
communicating with each other.[iii]
This means our thoughts creates the
pathways, about how our life needs to move on! God’s word in, Phil. 4: 6-8;
wants us to think on; for our own benefit. What we meditate on; does magnify.
Be careful for nothing; but in every
thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally,
brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever
things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be
any praise, think on these things; Phil. 4: 6-8.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen;
Heb. 11: 1.
Where our focus
grows, grace flows. Scripture reminds us that God provides wisdom through various
channels.
Without counsel purposes
are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established;
Prov. 15: 22.
[i]https://www.bing.com/search?q=The+Default+Mode+Network+(DMN)+plays+a+signifi
[ii]https://www.bing.com/search?qs=LT&pq=RAS+(Reticular+activating+system).&sk=CSY
[iii] https://neuropathclinic.com/understanding-brainwaves-alpha-beta-theta-and-delta-
