We used to think that when a person was young,
their brain was malleable like wet cement.
But as they grew up,
their brains became more fixed
like the cement was hardening.
That's what we used to think,
but now, because advances in brain research,
we realize that our brains are always changing
and growing throughout our life.
In fact, instead of looking at our brains like cement,
maybe you could compare it more to playdough.
And that's what scientists call neuroplasticity,
that our brains are always making new and different changes.
And that's good news,
that means you don't need to be stuck
in the way you've been thinking before,
the way that your brain has worked before.
You can think differently
and literally change your brain
and heal and move forward.
And that's why I love the way the apostle, Paul,
talks in "Philippians," chapter four.
He actually shows us how we can change our brain
and the things that we should be focusing on
so that our brains will change.
He says this,
Think about things that are positive,
that are praiseworthy,
that are noble,
that are pure,
and when you do,
you will literally change your brain.
Now, the apostle Paul didn't just teach this,
he lived it.
He had lots of things
that were so negative in his life
that he could have been focusing on.
He could have focused on the fact
that he was no longer a world traveling missionary,
but he was stuck in prison.
He could have focused on the fact
that many of the churches that he had started
were dividing and there was arguments going on.
He could have focused on all of the hardships
that he was experiencing.
And if he would have focused on all of those hardships,
it would have changed his brain,
it would have formed his thoughts to be a negative person.
But instead, he focused on the opportunities
that he had in prison to share the gospel,
and how God's word was spreading
throughout the palace guard.
He focused on how God's word was continuing to spread,
even in difficult situations.
And because he focused on the positive
and what was going on that was good,
it changed his brain.
It changed his brain in helpful, healthy ways.
Now it's your turn.
You don't need to be stuck in the thoughts of yesterday,
the negative thoughts.
You can think differently,
you can literally change your brain,
and so you could focus on the negative,
you could focus on the negative crises that are going on
in our world right now,
what's on the latest news report.
And if you do,
you will change your brain to be a negative person.
Or you can walk through a different door
and you can think differently.
You can focus on what is right,
what is pure,
what is lovely,
what is beautiful.
You could focus on Jesus, your savior.
And when you do,
the peace of God will be with you
Let's pray.
Lord God, we have a choice today,
we have a choice either to focus on what is negative,
and that will change our brains,
or we have a choice to focus on what's positive.
Lord God, we pray that you would fill us
with your Holy Spirit
so that we'd focus on you and what is good
and it is right,
and what you are up to in the world.
In your name we pray.
Amen.
Today, we talked about the importance of positive thinking
that leads to joy and actually changes your brain.
What are some positive things that we find in scripture,
positive spiritual blessings
that you could think about today?
Put in the comments below,
and thank you so much for watching this week on joy.
We'll see you soon.