Cobblestone Roads
Walking through Target, I’m starting to see all the “Back to School” items, which always makes me think of my own schooling. I initially started college with the intent to become a doctor. After several twists and turns, I ended up becoming a counselor. Recently, my husband asked me if I could change my career, what would it be. I immediately said, “Psychiatrist and studying neuro science.” I love learning how the mind works: Biology and Psychology working together.
Without getting too nerdy and technical, God designed our minds with this cool thing that scientists have called “neuroplasticity.” That’s a fancy word to mean that we can change the way we think. When we think in a certain way, it’s like we’re placing a brick down in a cobblestone road. Over time, if we keep thinking that way, more and more bricks are placed down, and eventually, we have a road that our thoughts easily follow. If you sign your name with your dominate hand, you most likely don’t even have to think about it. If you sign your name with your non-dominate hand, you most likely will feel yourself struggle to accomplish the task. That is because you’re trying to travel down a road that isn’t built in your brain; yet. If you keep practicing, you can train yourself to be ambidextrous, which means, you’ve built another road in your mind. These roads are called neuropathways; and you have the capability to strengthen them, build new ones, and allow old ones to breakdown. It all comes down to what you think about.
One of the places that Satan is continually attacking in this spiritual war we are in, is our minds. He seeks to plant ideas which then become false beliefs into our minds, which become very difficult to break.
Paul tells us in Romans, “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, emphasis mine). The word “renewing” is the Greek word, anakainosis, which means, “A renewal, renovation, a complete change for the better.” It is through changing the way we think that we become transformed. Do you think the enemy wants you to become transformed to be more like Jesus? No, he does not. He wants to steal, kill, and destroy you. And what better way to infiltrate and destroy each believer and follower of Jesus than by getting into our heads?
The mind controls everything we do. From breathing and blinking, to the words we say and the behaviors we engage in. It’s no wonder that Paul is telling us to “Put on the helmet of salvation,” (Ephesians 6:17). The helmet protects the head and therefore the mind from injury. While we may not be concerned about weapons physically hitting our heads, there are definitely spiritual, fiery arrows being shot at us continually. These arrows can come in the form of things that we ingest. The things we watch. The music we listen to. The people we associate with. The places we go. There is wisdom in asking myself, “Is what I am watching/listening to/doing/going to, encouraging me to be more like Jesus, or no?” I know; those can be difficult questions to ask ourselves in the moment.
Sometimes though, the attacks don’t seem so in-your-face as a movie with all the things or places that you can identify quickly. The enemy can be sneaky and his attacks may not seem like attacks at all. I am often attacked in my mind about things that God has called me to do:
“You’re a horrible mother, didn’t you see how you yelled at your kids?!”
“You’re not attractive to your husband; you’ve been together way too long.”
“Why would you think anyone wants to read anything you write; you’re not very good.”
Because those roads have been paved, built, and maintained well in my mind, it is very easy to continue to travel down them, so I don’t perceive these common thoughts as attacks. It’s just another day in Megan’s Mind. Yet, Paul is telling me that I need to renew my mind. And I don’t think it is any coincidence that “the helmet of salvation,” is something that I have to be intentional to put on. I have to pick up the helmet and acknowledge that Jesus died for my sins. I have been reconciled to God. Therefore, I can live in a different way. I don’t have to follow those old, cobblestone pathways anymore. I can start to believe and walk out in my life that I am a new creation. I am loved. I am accepted. I am adored. I am a child of God. I have a purpose and calling on my life. There is a reason I have the gifts and talents I do, along with why I am wired this way and not that. By being intentional to put on the helmet of salvation, I allow the reality of God’s gift of salvation to ring true in my mind, rather than those lies that have stuck from the enemy’s darts. And hence, my thinking begins to change, and I begin to transform.
Sweet sister, I am so thankful God designed our minds to have the ability to change. I want to encourage you to pick up His helmet of salvation. Be intentional and allow His truth to renew your thinking and transform your life.
Points to Ponder:
1. Do you like the direction your thoughts take?
2. What is one way or thought the enemy may be using to attack your thoughts?
3. Think of an area in your life that you would like to be renewed or transformed. What is one truth from God that you can focus on to help you renovate your thought?
Megan Sinisi absolutely adores a good cup of coffee, chocolate, and sitting with people to share life stories. She is a native to Las Vegas, born and raised, and has four beautiful children with her handsome husband, Vincenzo. She is a counselor, specializing in the field of addictions, with multiple certifications, both in Nevada and nationally. She directed Nevada’s largest treatment court and has been building her private practice since 2014, acquiring contracts with the City of Las Vegas, City of Henderson, Clark County Special Defender’s Office, and Zappos.com. It is because of her own journey of healing and through her career that she has learned the wounds we have can begin to be healed as we share our stories. She considers it an honor when someone shares their story with her, and hopes that as she shares her stories of victory and healing that others can be inspired, encouraged, and challenged. Megan has a love and fervor for writing and is walking in faith that God is calling her to use that passion and gift for His glory. She is someone who is known for her honesty and transparency that brings light to difficult situations and feelings, and offers hope and encouragement for the journey of life. It is her hope that by sharing her journey, it encourages, challenges, inspires, comforts, and most importantly, shines the light of Jesus and the reality of His love, grace, and mercy. You can find more from Megan at www.meganjsinisi.com And @meganjsinisi on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.