Linked Science Concept: Thoughts are real, physical things that occupy mental real estate. Moment by moment, every day, you are changing the structure of your brain through your thinking. When we hope, it is an activity of the mind that changes the structure of our brain in a positive and normal direction.

Image courtesy of Renjith Krishnan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Scientists at one point in time,  thought that our brain capacity was fixed. That we were hardwired, and that if anything were to happen to our brains either by injury, drugs, or some other catastrophic event, that it would be incurable, irreversible, and untreatable.

Romans 12:2 gives us another viewpoint in which Dr. Leaf had followed. She felt that there must be something to the truth in the Bible, and that the terminology she was being taught in school and by her peers was incorrect. So she began to teach and encourage her clients that they could change for the better.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

No matter what the situation, the brain can change in its physical structure. As a person you are not limited, even in the most challenging neurological situation you might find yourself in. Especially if you have your mind set on change, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish. Dr. Leaf states:

We are not victims of our biology or circumstances. How we react to the events and circumstances of life can have an enormous impact on our mental and even physical health.

As we think, we change the physical nature of our brain. As we consciously direct our thinking, we can wire out toxic patterns of thinking and replace them with healthy thoughts. New thought networks grow. We increase our intelligence and bring healing to our brains, minds, and physical bodies.

Our minds are a phenomenal gift from God! From our mind we:

• Can set the course and understand the truths set down in our spirit
• Can meditate on the Word or a series of thoughts intentionally thus rewiring our brains, changing the structure of it.
• Can choose how we are to think in line with the Bible, which should be our standard.

Thinking affects our brain. We can create new structures within the brain as we think. There is a burgeoning field called Neuroplasticity, accompanied with much research.

Neuroplasticity in essence means that the brain can create new neuronal connections, and that it is malleable and adaptable. The more intentional thoughts we think the more it can change throughout the course of the day, week, month, quarter, or year.

The interesting thing is our thinking not only affects us in all three phases of our being, spirit, soul, and body, but it also affects those around us. Amazingly, our thoughts can and will affect the next four generations. Be careful how you think. I wish I would have been more intentional in this area when my children were being raised.

It’s exciting to think that our brains are plastic. That we are not the victim of our genetics or environment alone! We can change our state of mind, and in so doing change our brains. This will also change how we act and re-act to different situations. This changing our thoughts, and state of mind is the key to switching on our brain.

Furthermore Dr. Leaf mentions neurogenesis. Each morning we have new brain cells at our disposal when we wake up. This gets exciting to think about. These can be used to intentionally rebuild positive thoughts in the place of toxic thoughts. The Lords mercies are truly new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).

Switch On Your Brain: The Key To Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2013), 19 – 27