Make Your Neurons Work

Growing the brain is sometimes hard work. As a principal, students would often ask me, “Why do I need to learn Algebra II? When will I use this in the real world?” Of course, I would give them some examples, but the best answer was always, because it grows your brain. Thinking in new and novel ways is sometimes hard work, but it helps us to problem solve and apply new and different approaches in all areas of our personal and professional lives. Growing neurons can be hard work.

Brain Work

Actually, researchers can see this happening in the brain. The brain is made up of billions of neurons, which are connected to one another by dendrites. Dendrites are electrolytic connectors. They trigger nerve impulses. This triggering is sometimes called firing, which can be seen using Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging technology (fMRI). As novel stimuli is processed, more firing. No firing means the neurons are at rest, not active, and not growing. To grow the brain you need more dendrites, in other words, more firing.

Does God want us to be smarter? Absolutely, we are to “study to show ourselves approved.” Learning is important at all ages. Some of our young people are still in school, and some of us have children or grandchildren in school. Remember, “understanding is more profitable than silver.” Yes, it is hard work. If it wasn’t, you wouldn’t be growing. Some of us older people think it is too late for us. But, we too can learn. We can grow. We can also teach. Let me ask this question: How many of you just 15 months ago had never attended a Zoom meeting or had never attended church online? This is proof that it is never too late to learn. 

Understanding Creation

It is true that our bodies are miraculous and we may never completely understand the mysteries of how God made everything work together for our benefit. King David wrote about his wonder of this mystery.

We may never completely understand the ways of our creator. But, this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t keep trying and learning. As my dad would say, “You can’t just sit around eating bon bons.” (If you don’t know, bon bons are cholate candies.) And, we can’t rest on our laurels. (That’s our past successes). We need to get up and keep going.

It can sometimes seem easier with young children, but God wants us all growing. Don’t let those neurons rest, make them work, make them keep firing. The bottom line is this: Let’s find wisdom and grow our brains together. 

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Psalm 139:14

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Growth Mindset.