Instruction Manual for Our Brains
As Ray and I visited last week with one of the many folks who have helped us resurrect our 173-year-old house, the man began talking about the neurologist who helps him with frequent headaches. He told us that his neurologist is both his friend and his physician. In conversation, the neurologist told him that those who study the human brain know only a tiny fraction of what there is to know.
Our Father in heaven, on the other hand, knows our brains intimately. He has given us an instruction manual so we know how to care for this complex organ He gave us. These instructions are crucial to every mama educating our children at home.
God tells us to set our minds, not on things on earth, but on things above (Colossians 3:2). He teaches us that the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6). He tells us to prepare our minds for action (1 Peter 1:13).
Jesus told us to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, and minds (Matthew 22:37).
God teaches us to renew our minds:
And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
so that you may prove what the will of God is,
that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2︀
He tells us in detail how to guard our minds:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
And then He tells us what to think about:
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute,
if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise,
dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8