How many times are you finding yourself standing in the middle of your life, feeling a lack of safety, satisfaction or connection? Often? Once in a while? What keeps you from finding your peace, contentment and purpose? Well, if you are like me, you might be finding yourself contending with your brain more than you think you are.
Our brains are the supercomputer of the entire body. It regulates your bodily functions, thought processes, feelings and sensory perceptions of the world around us. It affords you the capacity to be all you were created to be. God knew what He was doing when He created this amazing organ.
But what about my brain that gets me stuck? Why does my brain sometimes act as a hindrance rather than a help in my life journey? Well, think of your brain as two parts. You have a survival brain and a generative brain.
The survival brain, also known as the Limbic system, has evolved over thousands of years and takes up about 1/5 of your brain capacity. It’s the part of your supercomputer where you spend your time discerning good or bad news, contending with fear, impulsivity, and your emotions. Our survival brains are where we have grown to learn how to survive emotional and physical threats in your world.
The generative brain has also evolved over thousands of years. It makes up 4/5 of your brain capacity. This area of your brain is where you problem solve creatively, appreciate beauty, foster new ideas, formulate positive, healthful thoughts about ourselves and others. Your generative brain gives you the greater capacity to feel good about yourself and others.
So, maybe you are asking yourself, how does any of this relate to me worshipping God? Why do I care about my brain anyway? Well, just like everything in this world, you have a choice. You can choose to live in your survival brain or your generative brain. And many people live in their survival brain. Few people intentionally chose to live in their generative brain.
When you chose to intentionally worship God daily, three key generative brain elements will occur:
- It allows you to feel emotionally and physically safe.
- Corporate worship affords you a deep and meaningful connections with others.
- It offers you spiritual satisfaction in finding your meaning and purpose within God’s Kingdom.
Could it be God created worship just for your brain? I would like to think the God of all creation knew what your brain needed from the beginning. The only way your generative brain can develop is to find ways to intentionally take action and move away from your survival brain.
Here are five (5) intentional generative brain actions you can take on a daily basis:
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Study God’s word. Feed your mind. Romans 12:2
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Listen to music that encourage you to seek God. Colossians 3:16
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Thank God every day for every part (good and bad) of your life. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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Find a faith community where you grow in relationships with others. Hebrews 10:25
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Pray to God unceasingly. Give Him all your cares and petitions. 1 Peter 5:7
