Oh, the power of that mind of ours. In one brief moment, we have the ability to fire all the synapses in our brains that will make us either feel positive and at one with things or fearful and out of sorts.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

Dr. Caroline Leaf is a communication pathologist and audiologist who has worked in the area of cognitive neuroscience for the past 34 years. Her book, Switch on Your Brain, is a fascinating read. It shows how science and scripture are aligned, and describes research that shows the brain is literally changed when we focus on God’s truths.

Dr. Leaf’s current research focuses on neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.  She describes a study which shows how DNA actually changes shape in response to our thoughts. If this intrigues you at all, go get the book. The study showed that thinking and feeling negative thoughts like anger, fear, or frustration actually cause DNA to tighten up and become shorter, switching off many DNA codes. But the negative shutdown of the DNA codes is reversed by feelings of love, joy, appreciation, gratitude.

This same study also found that HIV positive patients who had positive thoughts and feelings had 300,000 times more resistance to the disease than those without positive feelings. The conclusion here? When we choose negative, toxic thoughts, we change DNA, which then changes the shape of our brain wiring in a negative direction. But, the positive thoughts rewire everything back to a healthy, positive state.

I love when science discovers what God has been saying all along. This is scientific proof of renewing the mind. It proves how our thought lives can affect our physical being.

So, why does this matter so much? Well, first of all, it demonstrates how intricately God has designed us, and that his word is true and powerful. Plus, for me, it absolutely confirms why the things we speak – to ourselves, to others – is so critical to our well-being, and reaffirms why partnering the word of God with fitness and wellness is so transformative. Yes, a healthy body is important, but a healthy mind creates the path to true health and wholeness. What I continue to reach for in my own fitness journey and in those I teach is a fit mind, meaning one that knows when it’s hearing truth and how to refocus when it’s hearing lies.

The song Echo by Elevation Worship, featuring Tauren Wells, says this:

When my mind says I’m not good enough
God, You’re enough for me
I’ve decided I’m not giving up
‘Cause You won’t give up on me
You won’t give up on me

Your love is holding on and it won’t let go
I feel it breaking out like an echo
Your love is holding on and it won’t let go
I feel it breaking out like an echo

It’s no coincidence that this song is on the playlist I will be playing at my Rev Fit classes. It’s the perfect reminder to change words like, “I’m not good enough” into “God, You’re enough for me.” The song speaks truth – God never gives up on us, his love never lets go, and he will continue to echo that thought to us over and over if we simply listen.

This idea of replacing the negative thoughts and lies in our minds with God-loving truths will be the focus of my first 4-week session of fitness classes. Yes, we will work on strength, cardio, flexibility, but what I really hope everyone gains from my classes is the ability to renew the mind. I hope we all hear enough reminders in the music, in the words I speak, in the way everyone encourages each other, that we are so very loved by a very faithful God.

Fitness and wellness can happen in a lot of ways, but when we all get better at hearing God above all the noise of the world, we will find true fullness of life.

**See the blogpost “4-week-faith-based-fitness-session-times-and-registration”  for times and payment information on the faith and fitness classes being offered. Email with any questions to beckdianne713@gmail.com