Showing Up Is Powerful
written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost,, to see whether he has enough to complete it? ”
In “New Scientist” magazine, Helen Thomson offers an interesting article entitled, “Can imagining a better future really make it come true?” I clicked on the article because I wanted to mock it. I hated the way Oprah peddled the pathetic 2006 book The Secret and its lies, that somehow thinking about something will magically make it come true. Thomson describes a scientific means to recognize the benefits of transforming our thoughts through visualization.
Rather than magic, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can, Thomson states, provide “Well-researched, scientifically-grounded psychotherapeutic treatment that helps individuals understand the thoughts and feelings that influence their behaviors.” Thomson continues, “The brain is constantly bombarded with billions of bits of data from your senses and predictive processing theory suggests that, in order to create your perception of the world, your brain needs to filter the important bits and combine that information with your past predictions and best guesses, your ideas of the world.”
Since our brains pay attention to what we focus on and value, what we believe and act on influences the way our brains respond to future events. Daily prayer and weekly worship alone mold our minds and reinforce our faith, resilience, and compassion. When we intentionally take action to honor God, our brains recognize the importance and seek out similar thoughts and activities.
The daily and weekly dedication to God trains our brains to value and prioritize faith in our lives. Soon, devotion, acts of kindness and justice, prayer, and worship become necessary for a calm and happy mind. Our faithful dedication trains our minds to value faith. It is almost as if our mind and God’s Spirit become one. The simple act of showing up changes the brain’s chemistry, making your faith life more desirable and meaningful. As you move from showing up to making deeper commitments, your heart and mind take off!
