Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

One of my favorite things is when modern science catches up with ancient scripture. For example, there has been a lot of attention recently around what neuroscientists call “neuroplasticity,” the brain’s ability to form and reorganize connections, especially in response to learning or new experiences. Put simply, the thoughts we consistently dwell on—whether faith-filled or fear-based—build neural pathways that shape our habits, reactions, and even emotional health. What we feed our minds eventually feeds our lives.

It’s not hard to see that is a really powerful concept when cultivating the kinds of lives we all want to experience. Change your thoughts, change your life. “Neuroplasticity” isn’t a new discovery, however. It is a new name for a very old truth. With just a quick glance through the New Testament you will run across lines like: “Set your minds on things above” (Col. 3:2), “take every thought captive” (2 Cor. 10:5), and “think about such things” (Phil. 4:8). God created and wired us so of course He knows that our lives will always move in the direction of our strongest thoughts.

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”

Paul contrasts two paths in Romans 12:1–2: conforming to the world or being transformed by truth. Conforming is passive—like drifting with the cultural current. It is the slow fade towards fitting in with the world around us. But transformation? That’s active, intentional, and internal. And it starts in the mind. Paul’s call to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind” is more than a poetic phrase. It’s a divine invitation to reshape the way we think so that we can live differently.

Think of your thoughts like seeds. Plant worry, resentment, or comparison, and over time, those thoughts will grow into anxiety, bitterness, and insecurity. But plant truth, grace, and gratitude—and you’ll cultivate peace, joy, and contentment. God's Word is the seed of truth, and renewing your mind with it is spiritual and neurological warfare against a world trying to shape your thinking.

Practically, one of the places I have experienced this truth most clearly is my workout playlists. I grew up on ’90s rap, the golden era, if you ask me. While the music can be fun and bring a lot of energy, I wouldn’t exactly call it God honoring. Snoop wasn’t putting out kids' albums back then. An hour of those lyrics feeding my mind first thing in the morning can put me in some weird places. But a simple change to something that glorifies God has made a world of difference in how I approach the rest of my day. (There are a lot of options out there, by the way. You don’t have to work out to Oceans on repeat.)

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
  
• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
  
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
  
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
  
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.