It Ain’t Your Lack of Faith
“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].”
To be steadily transformed, to be changed, it is our responsibility to renew our thinking then we will come to know God’s heart.
Dr. Gary Sibcy explains, “Spirituality is not some separate part of our functioning but refers to how well all the different components of our life work in a synchronized and coherent way. It is about how well our thinking, feeling, behaving, relating, communicating, and problem-solving in relationship to others and to God.
YOUR BRAIN AND BELIEF
I presented a workshop on how our mind processes information and influences our spiritual formation. Afterward, a participant responded, “So it’s not my lack of faith but how my mind affects my faith.”
Understanding how our brain works is important in living an integrated, abundant life.
Our brain processes four hundred billion bits of information per second. We are aware of about twenty thousand each second.
My wife, Sue contended my brain processes two, not twenty thousands; just two!
Every time we learn a new fact or skill or change our behavior we modify our brain. Our brain’s ability to adapt to change and rewire itself is called plasticity. With every fresh experience new connections are formed between neurons and those not needed are eliminated. This reorganization of the pathways in the brain takes place at an astounding rate when we are young. The brains of adults can also be rewired but the process take time.
It functions by transferring chemical signals between neurons causing a series of actions and reactions. This change improves short term memory and performance.
For real modification in our thinking and behavior there must be a long term change in the structure of our brain, however this takes time, practice and struggle. The capacity to learn new truth is related to how often we participate in the new experience or truth. In fact, the greater the exertion to absorb a new fact, the more effective the learning and change in thinking and behavior.2
HAVING FAITH
Before you read on, how do you define faith?
Neuroscientist Andrew Newberg comments, “…Having faith in the human spirit is what drives us to survive and transcend. It makes life worth living and gives meaning to life. …Faith is embedded in our neurons and genes, and is one of the most important principles to honor in our lives.” 3
Indeed, faith is a gift from God.
“The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see… It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. (Heb. 11:1, 6)
Faith brings into existence that which is in the unseen spiritual dimension and has the confidence God will bring it to fulfillment.
Faith is a choice to be committed to that which is beyond us which gives us significance and meaning. It is an allegiance or loyalty, a faithfulness of a subordinate to a superior or a group or cause.
Our brain’s nerve cells’ firing patterns are influenced by past incidents which hamper openness, adaptability, a balanced state of mind.
In other words, our allegiance or belief system is affected by previous incidents which influence how our brain processes present experiences.
The beliefs we assume are affected by primary neurological firing patterns shaped by past events.
YOUR BRAIN AND PAIN
I was praying with a group of guys from our church concerning the start-up of a counseling service, Sonburst. As they prayed I cringed in absolute terror, I was convinced God was setting me up for failure. He was going to expose me as being stupid for trusting Him. I screamed at Him to leave me alone.
The men piled on top of me, weeping and praying for me. For years I had been a cynic regarding God when it came to me or our family. I would berate God if I felt they were treated unfairly, rejected or hurt emotionally. The skepticism was an ingrained pattern of response which became so painful but it was here with these loving guys I began to deal with it.
At that moment I became aware of the Lord whispering, “Now you see I am not your dad you could not trust. I am your heavenly Father Who will show you My faithfulness.” That night I realized there was an implicit, or buried memory. My dad made all kinds of promises and never followed through. Time after time I would trust him and he would disappoint me. Eventually I swore I would not trust him anymore and leave me feeling foolish.
Within six months of establishing the center I had a full client schedule.
Because the pattern was so deep, it took some time for me to label the knee-jerk reaction and own it as a thought.
I will remind myself to reframe the situation by telling my Father I was looking forward to how He would handle it and be open to join in with Him when called to do so. In other words, put my confidence in Him for the best outcome.
I want to be clear here, I finally came to the place to not blame my dad. I realized I am responsible for how I allowed him to influence my perception and therefore my belief about God and others. I had to let go of my expectations of him. I also had to let go of the anger, forgive him and ultimately acknowledge what he was: a man in bondage to alcohol. I can say I love him just as he is without approving what he does.
START THINKING
Can we honestly own the thinking patterns which keep us from knowing something greater, something beyond those patterns which is seeking to love us into wholeness? The question is are we willing to be open to the possibility there is an active God lovingly in control in the midst of life’s inexplicable challenges?
Reflect on a past situation which you were unable to remedy. What were your feelings? What negative thought(s) did you have about yourself? At that time does that self-concept define all you are? To what extent does it affect your trust in God?