Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous, Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:8-9)
Peter was making a simple point, right? After all, these characteristics are what we are taught as children. We learn at young ages that by loving others (as Yahweh loves us) is better than not loving. We are blessed with the same treatment in return. Yet, there is more.
I don’t know about you, but I was taught what to do without really being explained why it becomes a blessing. Fair to say, likely my biological parents didn’t know the blessing the love bestows on our bodies, especially on our brains. I have to admit that I do a lot of what Scripture says – love my enemies, bless those who curse me, do good to those who hate me and pray for those who despitefully use and persecute me – but I don’t always see the blessing it holds. To compensate in my mind, I conclude that it must be a spiritual blessing. Actually, there is a physical blessing involved that occurs as we incorporate loving others into our lifestyle choices, our daily life.
The blessing starts with us.
Have you heard of neuroplasticity? It is the brain’s ability to change constantly by making new connections. It happens at a fast rate when we are learning new things, comprehending and repetition are key to the new connections. As we implement what we learn repeatedly, the brain hard-wires it into our memory. It doesn’t matter what you are learning, and that can be a good thing or a bad thing. There’s lots on the web about neuroplasticity, but know one thing for sure, this is part of Yahweh’s creative design in us. Let’s swing back to Peter.
Peter is talking about unity, compassion, brotherly love, tender-hearted (pitiful), and courtesy. These have a direct effect on our brains. As we think, speak, and act with a heart filled with these characteristics, we rewire our brain. Our new identity (being Messiah-like) emerges, first as delicate, but with time, firm with repetition. Eventually, we feel what we are thinking, speaking and acting. It is not enough to hope for, decide to embark on, or reminisce about being that way. We have to act first (much like a step of faith). Your brain will follow you when you think, speak, and act, but you have to make the first move and every move, every time. If you wait, your brain will wait on you. Now is a good time to start implementing Peter’s instruction.
The blessing we receive? When you repeat the thoughts, speech, and actions of unity, compassion, brotherly love, tender-hearted, and courtesy, you reiterate to your brain that these are important to you and your brain will make these connections stronger and stronger. Simultaneously, your brain also communicates these characteristics to your body with chemical changes. Your body responds and relaxes and allows healing to take place. Your body is in a safe environment and can start to repair and revitalize itself. (Note: as long as we harbor unforgiveness and other negative characteristics in our hearts, we communicate to our bodies to respond the same way. In short, we hinder our bodies from healing and repair.)
Rewiring our brains is essential to good health, and what better way than to start with the Bible and implement it into our hearts and daily life.
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