Spring Cleaning Your Brain

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"Start where you are.  Use what you have. Do what you can. ~ Arthur Ashe, pro tennis player

  It's funny what creatures of habit we are.  How many of you take the same route somewhere just because it's the quickest?  Or order the same thing from Taco Bell since you were in high school- that would be ridiculous, right?  Ahem.  I mean, there is an argument to be said that if it's good why change it. Anybody in need of a hairstyle or makeup change because you are tired of yours but it doesn't take that much time to get ready, so you just keep doing the same?  

 We are indeed those creatures.  Sometimes it's good, because it's a productive habit, sometimes it's just convenient.  In my last blog I talked about those ruts we tend to get in-regardless of our role in life.  Some habits are great because we have honed our skill, and we don't have to think about it & we can devote our brain to other things.  Some habits just develop because we weren't paying attention & whoops there it is.  Both of those kind of habits can be good and are a vital part of discipline.  

Spring cleaning is one of those checklist items that hovers over us each year because we think it's something that needs to be done.  I mean, I'm a full supporter of once-a-year cleaning, but I think we are better people if we make it a habit more frequently to declutter our houses and some parts of our lives (or at least to run a check). Then at least I don't need to just entertain at night when it's darker.  One summer I literally found baby Jesus, who had been missing from the Nativity, under a piece of furniture.  My grandson was in the "put things in small places where they'll never be found" phase.  But six months later??  I'm embarrassed.

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According to Charles Duhigg's book, The Power of a Habit, the part of our brain that helps us make habits is tied to our emotions, memories & pattern recognition.  Decision-making is tied  to another part.  So once you develop your habit, the decision part of the brain isn't as active.  He says if you want to break a habit go on vacation, because your norm is disrupted & it's easier to not fall into that cycle.

 As Christians, we want to develop those habits that help us draw closer to God, like reading & memorizing scripture so our mind recalls it when needed, and turning to God first in prayer when life hits us.  It becomes our go-to.  So if our daily habit is to spend time with God, the reward we get is immeasurable in so many ways, but at a minimum we know we have obeyed scripture & prioritized our relationship with Him. 

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This is what that daily habit is resulting in, among many other things:

We learn to cast our anxiety on Him  1 Peter 5:7

We are silent before Him as He fights for us  Ex 14:14

Our strength is renewed; we're not weary  Isaiah 40:31

We are not afraid & we're strong  Isaiah 41:10

We please Him with our faith  Heb 11:6 

 We may not experience an emotional high during that quiet time, but we indeed get a Spirit-permeating rest that refreshes our soul.  That's the daily discipline.   If you aren't sure how to start, please email me-I have a lot of suggestions.  When we start to make a conscious effort to get out of the house to go gather with the church at the church, we develop another part of our ministry to our family.  When we respond to different scenarios throughout the day with "Why don't we just quick pray about it", we are showing and practicing our dependency on God to our children & circle.  

It literally transforms our mind (Rom 12:2) & gives us power to align with heaven and not the world.  We are drawing on His Spirit that gives us power, love and self-discipline (1 Tim 1:7).

 

 Declutter your mind & heart of old habits and ways, and replace it with His thoughts & ways.

Start today.  Right where you are.  With what you have.  

Then go start vacuuming under your furniture.

                                                                            

✙ Heavenly Father, thank You for promising to complete us as Your good work.  You know we can't do it on our own.  In this world today, right where we are, we desire to know & love You more so we can share who You are & show Your love to those who need You so badly.  Empower us to eliminate busyness from our daily lives, and when we feel 'less than' help us remember who we are because of who we belong to.  We are Your cherished children.  Thank You. Amen.