“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2 NIV
In an interesting story titled “How marathons change runners’ brains: scans point to surprise energy source,” the following was reported: A fatty substance that insulates the electrical signals transmitted by nerve cells might also be a source of energy for the brain — especially when reserves are running low. This intriguing possibility has been raised by scans of long-distance runners’ brains, taken before and after they ran marathons. The scans suggest that levels of the insulating substance — called myelin — decreased in brain areas involved in motor control and sensory and emotional processing after these gruelling endeavours, only to bounce back to normal within two months…Mustapha Bouhrara, who studies brain imaging and ageing at the US National Institutes of Health in Baltimore, Maryland, said the reduction in myelin lasts for only a short time, so is not concerning. Furthermore, he went on to say that the process teaches the brain how to quickly repair myelin, and “could be very, very beneficial”.
Unfortunately marathons aren’t the only thing that can change a persons brain. Indulging in sinful behaviors can as well. In fact, science has shown that repeated sinful behaviors lead to changes in brain chemistry and reward circuitry—specifically changes in dopamine, oxytocin, and norepinephrine levels, which can reinforce these behaviors. Furthermore, repeating sinful behaviors can train the brain to expect and seek out those bad behaviors, making it harder to resist them and even harder to discern and follow “God’s will” for a person’s life. Which is the very reason the person caught up in those behaviors must first repent, turn back to God, and then retrain their brain—a process that begins by no longer conforming to the pattern of worldly thinking, but transforming the mind with a pattern of godly thinking that comes from reading God’s Word and then meditating on it day and night. This is very, very be beneficial as it sets a person free from the guilt and shame the sinful behaviors caused and keeps the person from returning to “ the pattern of this world.”
So, if you’re caught up in a pattern of sin that you don’t think you can break free from, think again my friend. God can not only set you free and restore you upon repentance but can renew your mind as well, giving you a fresh start on life… something that is very, very beneficial to you both now and for eternity.
Heavenly Father, thank You for providing a way for us to be made righteous when we have strayed. Thank You for the restoration Jesus’ death provided for us and for the renewal of the mind that your Word provides us. Help us to seek your pleasing and perfect will at all times by staying in a right relationship with You and keeping our hearts and minds stayed on You. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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