We know that there is so much connected to God’s word that we are still understanding, and that this understanding, actually revelation, is not possible without Holy Spirit. He alone is the One who has been sent to bring us the answers that we need to walk in God’s fullness in this life. As we seek to know and understand, Holy Spirit will reveal and put light upon that which has been hidden. In the process of doing this we will be changed. It means that we will know what can help us to live better and longer. It means that we can use what we have learned to help others along the way. It means that as we get understanding we connect the dots in such a way that we are transformed.
Growing our brains is just one piece, so the other day when my daughter brought this forward I was intrigued. She began to share about the anterior mid—cingulate cortex, which is an important network hub in the brain that is responsible for computations necessary for tenacity, this according to the National Library of Medicine. Furthermore, it goes on to say that this hub is actually responsible for predicting energy requirements that are needed for attention, encoding of new information, and physical movement, all in the service of goal attainment.
So, what does it mean in regard to growing our brain? Actually, if I push through all the medical talk I can come to an orderly conclusion. We can benefit from making decisions that will effect our brains.
This area of our brain can grow when we put a demand on it! This demand comes in the form of discipline. When we are disciplined, and exert self control in our lives over things that look to overtake us, we actually are growing that area of our brains. Simply put, by denying the brain to always have it own way, you are forcing it to wait, and to allow patience to have its perfect work. In essence, we are putting the body in its place, by not allowing it to continually have its way.
As I pondered all of this I was immediately reminded of Galatians 5:22-23 where it speaks of the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is all about growing us in ways that are beneficial to the whole person, spirit, soul, and body. When I read the list of these fruits from love, to joy, to peace, to patience, to kindness, to goodness, to faithfulness, to gentleness, and finally to self-control, I knew that I was connecting the dots.
It takes discipline, which is rooted in obedience, to operate in the fruit of the Spirit. Yes, the Holy Spirit is within us reenforcing His fruit, but it requires our agreement, or alignment, to see these fruits have their perfect work in us. When we are disciplined, and we force the flesh to obey the Spirit we are causing the brain to do what it does not want to do. This tenacity, our tenaciousness to discipline and self-control, works for our benefit. We are demanding, or challenging the brain, even as we arousing it from its slumber to grab hold of new things. In conclusion, even when something is difficult, requiring more effort, force yourself to do it! This will benefit you in ways that will increase your capacity both physically, emotionally, and most importantly, spiritually.
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.