Struggling to Renew Your Mind

Life is a struggle. All of us have something we struggle with. I hate it when we are made to feel guilty for struggling. There's an idea of, "If you'd only... you wouldn't have any problems." In the church, it's whichever is the prevailing doctrine. In health, it's the latest diet or fad supplements. Don't get me wrong, there are Biblical doctrines that are true and helpful for navigating life. There are also wonderful supplements and dietary principles that will improve quality of life tremendously. With all that, God never, ever said we'd go through life without struggles. Hardships are real. Life is hard. People are mean. Satan is against us. Ignoring them doesn't make them go away.

Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?  Psalm 56:8

Scriptures like this tell us, HE cares. HE knows we have struggles and hardships and hurts. HE knows we cry. Most of the Psalms are about the struggles King David went through. Life is hard. They don't just disappear because someone declares they have faith. Often the exact opposite is true. The more we declare our faith, the more the enemy attacks.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  Philippians 4:11

The real battle isn't outside of us. It's not with people or circumstances. The real battle is in our very thoughts. For some of us, this battle isn't laid out on a clear and fair field. The battle for our thoughts can start in the womb. In my case it would have started about the time my grandfather beat my mother when she told him she was expecting me. Every since then I have lived with the premise of, if I hadn't been born their lives would have been better. I was considered an accident and an inconvenience and I never remember not knowing that.

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...  Proverbs 23:7a

When a child grows up with that thinking and the abuse that usually comes with, they don't know how to believe otherwise. People can continually tell them otherwise, but it's at a thought level that it has to change.

I recently read a book from Dr. Caroline Leaf called Switch ON Your Brain. Dr. Leaf is a PhD Cognitive Neuroscientist. She knows the workings of a brain in a way most people haven't even considered trying to comprehend. The really nice thing is God has given her a gift for explaining it in a way we CAN understand. She goes on to explain that since we are created in HIS image, we are all brilliant enough to be able to understand it. Let that sink in a minute....

He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.  Proverbs 4:4

Dr. Leaf has a 21 Day Brain Detox plan that takes us step-by-step through completely rewiring our brain. She explains that while we cannot control the people and circumstances around us, we can control our reactions to them. She gives permission to hurt and tools to forgive and move on in a positive way.  “The sins of parents create a predisposition, not a destiny.” ― Caroline Leaf, Switch On Your Brain

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:2

This book and the help of the woman who suggested it has been a life changer for me. The past few years struggle with CPTSD has been very real and hard for me. God has brought me a long way. For the first time in my life, I truly understand I am brilliant and beautiful. I can't be anything else. I'm created in HIS image and I'm walking HIS path, following HIM and HIS word. This is awesome! I have begun rewiring my brain through the 21 Day Brain Detox and will continue until either HE calls me home or comes to get me. Buy this book. Read it. Use it. Give it as gifts. People need this information!

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