We often think of the Tree of Life as only being in the Garden of Eden, found in the book of Genesis. But as we see with so many other parts of God’s creation, there can be many depths and spiritual dimensions to the things of the Kingdom. When Moses was receiving instructions from God for the design of the Tabernacle, God told him to make it according to the heavenly pattern.
They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”
(Hebrews 8:5, ESV)
Our brain is an incredible structure designed by God. It is designed to respond to our mind and carry out the will of our inner being; the spirit and soul. The inner activity forms in the mind or as Proverbs 23:7 says, “for as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Another way of saying this, is the brain’s activities branch out from our inner beliefs and root system, forming a flowing Tree of Life. Or at least God’s original design is meant to carry life.
Dr. Caroline Leaf is a communication pathologist and audiologist who has worked in the area of cognitive neuroscience since 1985 and holds a Christian worldview. Her pioneering work on neuroplasticity- that changes in thinking actually change the brain and can effect behavioral change- paved the way for her current research on how scientific principles are supported by Scripture and vice versa. In her book Switch On Your Brain, she describes how imagination builds physical thoughts. “Research has shown that mental-practice- imagination, visualization, deep thought, and reflection- produces the same physical changes in the brain as would physically carrying out the same imagined processes. Brain scans show that the parts of the brain activated by action are the same parts of the brain activated by simply thinking about an action.”
This brings another layer of understanding to the verse in Hebrews 11:1,
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Dr. Leaf points out that as you mentally rehearse things, or meditate as the Bible encourages us to do, the newly built memory becomes increasing stronger and begins to grow more connections to neighboring nerve cells, integrating that thought into other thought patterns. This intentionality can be used to frame up pathways that lead to life, thus forming a spiritual and physical Tree of Life in your inner being that manifests in the body. The very practice that can promote life can also be used to reinforce negative patterns in our brain and inner being. We must use this amazing truth to promote life giving pathways in our brains.
Steps in Pursuit
- Philippians 4:8 says, “Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always.” This is a great verse to use in evaluating the type of thoughts that you may be focusing on.
- Many of the thoughts that people struggle with from time to time can be rooted in rejection. Practice for one week, daily looking at yourself in the mirror and saying “ I love and accept myself completely, the way God loves me.”
- Practice thinking loving thoughts about yourself throughout the day. Watch the changes that this brings in your mood, emotions and relationships.
There can be a lot of positive steps that we can take to promote a healthy brain, but science is supporting more and more, the measurable changes that can take place as we simply use the imagination to build a Tree of Life within.
Continue the Pursuit,
Denise
