We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn.
When I took the evaluation test I was 41 yo with a maturity of a 14 year old girl. The irony was I had my own place, raising my kids and holding a job while educating myself in clinical counseling. I was shocked, but laughable. Really?
YES Really! So began the maturity process. I’m 72 now and still maturing. We never arrive. A process of a lifetime.
Educating myself has been a huge part in the development of my prefrontal cortex. Prefrontal cortex (PFC) intelligently regulates our thoughts, actions and emotions through extensive connections with other brain regions. To enlarge the capacity of my thought life, memories, regulate my emotions, and little by little get to know myself. And embraced the power of God to heal my memories and restore my life to his original design.
Adverse Childhood Experiences
(big traumas and little traumas) growing up as a child including fear of religious rules (legalism) and shame-based culture that damaged my brain and deprived me of my freewill.
Brennan Manning calls legalism a ‘superficial faith.’ Superficial faith believes that it is always about me trying a little harder, believing a little harder, whatever it is we think we have to do.
Fortunately, the brain is capable of rewiring itself, which means there is always potential for recovery.
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and adapt due to experience. It is an umbrella term referring to the brain’s ability to change, reorganize, or grow neural networks. This can involve functional changes due to brain damage or structural changes due to learning.
Yes God is good.
Formulas do not produce perfect people because God created independent thinking individuals
-people.
God’s first gift to mankind is freewill — our power to choose. God respect his created beings to choose even choosing to reject him. That’s true love.