(IHEAM:CH18PT3) I HAVE AN ETERNITY AHEAD OF ME: CHAPTER 18 TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE: PART 3 FOCUSING WITH YOUR SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT

 

I HAVE AN ETERNITY AHEAD OF ME 

CHAPTER 18 

TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE:

PART 3 

FOCUSING WITH YOUR SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT

 

My Brothers and Sisters,

In a society that is technology driven, little thought is given to its varying effects as it applies to the function and health of mind, body, and spirit. How does technology effect each individual's specialized pattern of mind and how does it effect this new generation's spiritual learning, growth, maturity, and ability to connect  to God? How can we root out and come to stand against societies self-imposed distractions away from God and His plan for our lives? We must know ourselves, who we are in Christ and truly know God.

Most of us have the ability to focus on something at will, but, there are individuals who lack or struggle with this ability. It is like a computer which lacks the ability to partition information or perform separate functions upon command.

Yet, for some, the brain can be trained to partition itself, in other words, 'focus' and ignore surrounding stimuli. Yes, if the spirit (heart) is willing. One can program a command to partition, in other words, 'conditioning.' Most people refocus naturally like adjusting a lens to see things better in life, while others wander to the other side of the partition, as far as they choose or have the ability to go.

There are many ways to condition yourself to focus and with all should come prayer and meditation connecting you with God. I use exercise or playing a game that requires me to think, but, is still moving and fast paced. This usually stills my mind and body to prepare me to be open to the Word of God. Another way is to thoroughly cleanse yourself by fasting and praying with the guidance of God's Holy Spirit, so as not to endanger your health.

People who commonly have an abstract mind structured for movement and flow, may also find that their specialized way of thinking is an effective tool for them to express emotions, talents and skills, (art, music, writing, math, science). However,  they may often need intermittent intervals to refocus while they learn or work, or they need to be constantly challenged in order not to lose interest, remain focused, and mentally, physically and spiritually healthy,  unless they are presented with something they are genuinely interested in. Once they have learned or mastered a concept, they usually want to move on to something else or apply it in some new way. Can you understand or imagine why God would create a mind such as this?

Can you task these types of people with any kind of work? Can they hold down a job? Yes. Sometimes they may require tasks that allow short intervals of refocusing, or a job that allows for variety. However, God's perfect plan and programming for these free-flowing and colorful minds might be to be a musician, artist, craftsman, scientist or mathematician and they will need an outlet to express this aspect of their being.

I believe that medicine acts hand in hand with faith, and is not intended to replace our faith in God. We must believe in Him as He believes in us. Before we label ourselves or anyone else as dysfunctional, or as having a learning disability, or behavior problem, we need to look at how God uses us physically, mentally, and spiritually.

God will make a way out of no way. God's vision for us is not bound by worldly thinking and things. We must look to Him as to how He would use each and every one of us regardless of our faults. What would God have us do for one another? How can we integrate those who are challenged by society into society, allowing them to be themselves, instead of trying to conform them to the desired attributes of societal thinking or try to completely eliminate a behavior?

Perhaps, we can learn how to change our society from those unable to conform to societal norms. Perhaps, we might eliminate many behaviors considered to be deviant within many societies, by relieving imposed stressors, changing one's environment and/or society's ideology to be more accommodating and/or less intimidating, discriminating, and persecuting.

Learning about ourselves is part of our spiritual journey and part of taking care of ourselves. To do this, we need the help of others. God has made very clear the necessity of therapy of the mind when He told us to "confess our sins one to another." Holding in our feelings and sins opens us up to guilt and shame instead of repentance and true change. Having someone to confide in provides the opportunity to be forgiven by God and forgive ourselves by accepting God's forgiveness. When God forgives us and we don't forgive ourselves, it is like saying that His gift is not good enough for us and rejecting His gift, or saying that He is a liar.

Relieving ourselves of the burden of sin by talking to others is another gift from God that we should take advantage of regularly. It helps us to understand ourselves better, while receiving wisdom and love from others to aid in our healing and growth.

I believe the questions and answers for many people's lives lie in what the spirit lacks, desires, or requires to fulfill or supplement a particular need or void; or to replace a function, and in some cases, a dysfunction. Helping a person find their true purpose and to understand how and why they function a certain way, has been found to be a useful therapeutic tool to empower and mobilize people, as we all need help from one another to thrive and live out our abundant life.