TBI – 75% of those with traumatic brain injury reported feeling like a different person
The mind of man (and woman) is the most complicated organ that God ever created.
The brain can transform you (Rom. 12.2)
The brain can be set like a clock (Col. 3.2)
The brain can think in similar ways to God (Phil. 2.5)
The brain can be fortified (Prov. 4.23)
The brain can be controlled (2 Cor. 10.5)
How Powerful Is The Brain?q
100 billion nerve cells and many more contact points between them provide our brain with capabilities that no supercomputer can match to this day. One of its most important characteristics is its ability to learn. Equally impressive, is the brains ability to create and dictate the direction of our lives through imagination.
Let’s take a look at the rest of the natural world and find out what creatures come in second to our human intellect.
Several life forms have brains that share some similarities with the human brain—
chimpanzees,
bonobos,
dolphins,
and elephants
all have brains that show similarities in terms of complexity, structure, and certain cognitive abilities. Compared to the human mind, these animals don’t even come close.
You give what you focus on
When God said that we are created in His image, He meant (in context) that He’s endowed us with the unique ability to create. The man was to create a life for himself through conquest and dominion (Gen. 1.26-28). The woman was to create life itself (Jn. 16.21). Clearly God blessed humans in a special way not given to other animals.
Create A Better Life Through Imagination
Here’s what one doctor had to say about the our power to create a life through visualization.
“Visualizing yourself to become the person that you want to be, is a powerful tool to stay focused. When you focus on something, you actually give your mind a command (whether you are aware of it or not). So your mind is looking forways to extract that command that you gave it. Why? Because your brain doesn’t know the difference, it will drive you to focus on creating it to happen. So understand that every time you tell yourself that things will go wrong, it’s actually going to happen. Your mind will look for the things that you tend to look for. If you think negatively, your mind will look for negative.”
NOTE:
It’s important to understand that the same effect that your mind has on a negative thought, will be as powerful as on a positive thought.
Try Thinking About This Instead
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Barry Schwartz, a professor of psychology at Swarthmore College, authored a book called “The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less.” In an article adapted from his book, published in Parade magazine about twenty years ago, Schwartz surprisingly states that “our unprecedented material abundance” causes unhappiness. How does this happen? Think about your last visit to a large retailer. You likely encountered over 360 types of shampoo, conditioner, and mousse in the hair care aisle. With such an overwhelming number of choices, deciding which one to buy can be difficult. Most people want the best product at an affordable price, but with so many options, it can be challenging to determine which of the 360 products is the best choice.
According to Schwartz (2004), many believe we should never settle for anything less than the best. He calls these individuals “maximizers.” Essentially, maximizers are always dissatisfied with what they have. For example, while driving and listening to the radio, a maximizer will often switch between stations, even if they already enjoy what they are listening to. Have you ever found yourself behaving this way?
As Schwartz concludes, “Unattainable expectations, plus a tendency to blame ourselves for our failure, make a lethal combination” (2004, p. 5). We need to constantly remind ourselves of the principle Paul first shared with his “son in the faith,” Timothy:
But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. (1 Timothy 6.6-8 NASB)
Yes, we must learn to be content with what God promised to provide if we “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6.33).
Schwartz provides advice to help us find contentment. Here are the tips.
“Choose when to choose” (Schwartz, 2004, p. 5) suggests intentionally limiting our choices when something is unimportant. For instance, when purchasing a specific item, it’s better to stick to one store and choose from only one or two restaurants. This way, we can avoid unnecessary decision-making and save time and energy.
According to Schwartz (2004), learning to accept things that are “good enough” is important. Striving for perfection can often lead to unnecessary anxiety and stress. Instead, settling for something to get the job done and move on is better. The pursuit of perfection is often a futile task and can prevent us from achieving our goals.
The third thing to remember is not to worry about missed opportunities or options. Instead of dwelling on the “what ifs,” learn to be happy with your choices. There is no point in agonizing over the paths you did not take. As Barry Schwartz put it in his book, “The Paradox of Choice,” “Learn to be content with the choices you’ve made.” (p.5)
According to Schwartz (2004), it’s essential to control your expectations and not expect too much. Your expectations often shape your perception of what is right or wrong. If you want to be more satisfied with life, it’s advisable to avoid expecting too much, as it is a common saying: “Don’t expect too much, and you won’t be disappointed.”
These are not behaviors that we can develop overnight. We must follow the example of the apostle Paul and learn to be content (see Philippians 4.11). Let us carefully look at our lives, recognize our many blessings, avoid causing ourselves disappointment, and thank God for all He has done for us.
Work Cited:
Schwartz, B. (2004, January 4). When It’s All Too Much. Parade, pp. 4-5.
When I was a kid, one of my favorite things about the beginning of June was hearing my mother’s tongue-in-cheek rendition of “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over” from Carousel. While some aspects of Carousel are dark, this song is a joyful celebration of the arrival of summer and the blooming of nature. It exudes optimism. In some ways, we can see this song’s themes of rejuvenation and new beginnings metaphorically resonating with Billy Bigelow’s chance to make things right after his tragic death. That theme of new beginnings and seasonal renewal is what I prefer to associate with June.
Unfortunately, in this day and age, I dread June’s arrival. The joyous celebration of the approaching summer season in June has shifted from hope and rebirth to the sinful attribute of pride. Yes, as we all know, it’s that time of year when pandering businesses surround us with new logos that incorporate the misappropriated rainbow, the chosen symbol for 7.1% of the U.S. population’s sense of entitlement. (Jones) The word “pride” becomes so common in June that it causes nausea. And I am not even addressing the matter of the many shades of sexual immorality that it celebrates. People have forgotten that a small amount of pride goes a long way. They’ve also forgotten that pride goes before a fall (Proverbs 16.18).
When we have healthy pride, we can find satisfaction in our accomplishments. Nothing is wrong with this. Solomon may have thought his overall pursuits were futile, but he recognized that the ability to reflect on the fruits of one’s labor is a gift from God (Ecclesiastes 3.12–13). Pride can also motivate us to put forth our best efforts, knowing that our work positively impacts our community. For example, the men with Judge Gideon raised a chant of “For the Lord and Gideon” (Judges 7.18). They did so because they were proud of their God and their general. When we show our pride in others, we express our belief in the person we praise. So, when we offer pride on behalf of another, it can be beneficial. However, Paul cautioned Timothy not to show such support hastily (1 Timothy 5.22).
But in June, when we hear “pride,” we don’t think of any of those things. What effort or success does one honor when seeking the approval of others for their way of life? Members of the LGBTQ+ community tell us that their genetic makeup determines their sexual orientation or gender identity. If true, isn’t this the same as a redhead being proud of her hair color or a Caucasian being proud of his skin color? Is it not, in other words, someone bragging about something they have no say in? Why isn’t there a “blue-eyed pride month” if we need gestures like what we see each June to show acceptance of a “minority group”? After all, only about 10% of the population has blue eyes. (Moor) There must be something different about the kind of pride promoted in June.
Yes, the pride celebrated in June is sinful. This display is the harmful pride condemned in Scripture, the same pride that led to the devil’s downfall (1 Timothy 3.6). There is a reason why Roman Catholicism considers this type of pride to be the first of the “seven deadly sins.” Pride is the root sin from which all other sins can spring. The Bible defines sinful pride as an excessive love and admiration for oneself, an exaggerated sense of one’s importance, and a disregard for the worth and needs of others. It entails exalting one’s abilities, accomplishments, and status, which can lead to an arrogant and self-centered attitude. John lists this pride as one of Satan’s three main temptations to get us to sin (1 John 2.15–17).
What about psychology? Excessive pride is viewed negatively in this academic study of the mind and behavior. Organizers ostensibly created “pride month” to raise awareness and signal to other members of the same community who were “closeted” that they could freely be themselves publicly and find support from a broader population who would accept them. However, this has devolved into a show of superiority over those not part of their small community. They used to complain that they didn’t have a voice and were left out, but now they want to push out anyone who may tolerate their behavior in a free society but won’t support and celebrate it as vociferously.
This pride celebration also shuts down all discourse because pride does not allow for perceived criticism. For example, when someone says that specific displays are inappropriate for children, it is automatically interpreted as bigotry rather than an opportunity to discuss how oversexed we have become as a society. It is not a question of one group against another as it is of whether we will allow children to grow up in innocence, free from outside influences, and make these important decisions for themselves. If the “pride community” would listen, they would hear us say that we are also uncomfortable with the flood of sexually charged heterosexual displays. But once again, pride prevents open dialogue. Worse, this refusal to hear causes heated rhetoric on social media with groups like concerned parents being mislabeled things like fascists or terrorists!
As a parting thought, let me say what happens when others impose this pride on everyone in June. The result of such pride is alienation and loneliness. Consistent displays of excessive pride make the proud seem unapproachable, and this makes it harder for them to form meaningful relationships with others outside their small group, stunting their social development. If “pride month” is supposed to make those not part of the LGBTQ+ community accept them, it accomplishes the opposite. It has a chilling effect. It does turn society into “us vs. them.” And it makes some people even more determined to shun and ostracize the LGBTQ+ community when they would have otherwise just left them alone.
Ultimately, disillusioned individuals in the LGBTQ+ community will find themselves feeling even more isolated and depressed because these kinds of excessive displays of pride turn people off. Even though teachers will hide their gender change or sexual preferences from their parents and social media influencers encourage them, these confused youth, whom the devil promises will be like God, only discover their nakedness and shame (cf. Genesis 3.4–7). Consequently, the number of young LGBTQ+ people considering suicide is rising. (Powell)
Once again, I wish to say that this article is not a discussion of biblically permissible sexuality and identity. This article is only about the pride the LGBTQ+ community and their allies praise and celebrate every June and the trouble it causes. In contrast, Jesus left His humble example for us to follow. Paul beautifully describes how Jesus “emptied Himself” to become a servant willing to die on the cross (Philippians 2.3–8). And Paul believed that the only thing he could boast about was his weakness because it highlighted his need for God’s grace (2 Corinthians 11.30). Let us also make June, and every month, a month of affirming humility and acknowledging that in doing so, God can be the one lifting us (Matthew 23.12).
According to an article written on The Public Discourse in 2018, Dr. Jordan Peterson is said to be “the most influential Biblical interpreter in the world today.” By almost all accounts, his insight and commentary on the Scriptures are held in high regard. On several occasions, Dr. Peterson has been asked about his belief in God to which he responds, “I don’t like that question.” One of his most popular YouTube series covers, “The Psychological Significance of the Biblical Stories.”
There have been millions of people who have spent hours watching these videos, but most of them are still wondering what Dr. Jordan believes concerning the existence of God. He says, “I act as if God exists and I am terrified that He might.” Some in his audience have taken this, and other similar comments made by him, to be deliberately vague. After one particular lecture, Dr. Peterson gave those in attendance the opportunity to ask him questions. One attendee asked Jordan to give his insight on the apostle Paul’s statement, “…and if Christ has not been raised, then all of our preaching is useless” (I Cor. 15.14). To this, Dr. Peterson put his hand to his chin and pondered this for a minute. Afterwards, he looked up and said, “I don’t have a good answer to that. I haven’t gotten to the New Testament yet, but I plan to find out what he meant.”
This response deserves our appreciation. Jordan Peterson is a serious thinker and a great philosopher who takes his quest for truth seriously. He has acknowledged the importance of seeking out the answer to life’s most important question. He has made the realization that a personal discovery of God’s existence would carry with it life-changing implications.
While his current beliefs do not mesh with the teachings found in His Word, he exemplifies the seriousness that we may sometimes lack. If we profess to believe in a supreme and eternal Creator who will one day judge mankind, our lives should reflect this down to our core. Our daily decisions should exhibit the devotion of our lips.
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