I’m reading Dr. Ben Carson’s recent book entitled Created Equal. In it he shares insights into a number of issues prevalent in today’s culture around race relations. But I was fascinated by a subject he knows a little something about. As the former director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins he writes a few paragraphs about brain plasticity.
Unlike many other organs of the body, the brain has not reached developmental maturation at birth. Babies sleep a lot so as to promote cellular development and synaptic networking. Brains develop well into ones ’20s. It’s during that time that individuals are most receptive to inputs that affect their self-image and character. The brain is plastic and can be re-trained to think differently, even in cases of physical surgery that removes portions of the brain at an early age. That is fascinating, is it not?
Carson states: “….there are actual neuroanatomical reasons that young children are so pliable and receptive and vulnerable to environmental input and to emphasize how important it is to make sure that input is the correct material.” It adds new meaning to the scripture that says, “train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
Let’s focus on the good news. No matter what your past experiences have been, God wired us to be rewired after outcomes from trauma and spiritual wounding that have assaulted our identity. Lies that have been spewed in our direction for the purpose of defiling the truth of who God says we are. His children, born with a purpose and a calling.
Don’t let the evil one take hold of your life and sideline you from the life God has in mind for you. Focus on who He says you are. Start imagining a different outcome for your life. One that rewires the neurons to believe the truth God intended for you to live in. One focused on redemption through healing in Christ. One that celebrates life and the impact you have on others and in relationship with Him.
And that’s the memo.
Steve Adams
