Hello, dear friends! Last week, we looked into the empowering realm of biblical declarations, charting our healing journey from old beliefs to scriptural truths. I’d love to hear about the declarations you’ve crafted for yourself—let’s celebrate your valuable efforts! Now, in our ongoing conversation, let’s dive into another potent tool: visualization, guiding us in shaping and nurturing new beliefs. Are you ready to embark on this transformative practice together?
First some scientific findings on visualizations: It turns out our minds have an incredible capacity for healing through images. When we imagine scenes of forgiveness, comfort, or simply visualize a loved one, these images settle deep within us. This idea isn’t new but today science backs up the healing power of visualization through studies. Norman Doidge’s work revolutionized our understanding of the brain. Instead of seeing it as fixed, he showed us it’s flexible and capable of change. This means we can create new neural pathways through repeated experiences. When neurons fire together, they wire together, strengthening connections in our brains. This is where visualization steps in. Repeatedly practicing positive, rewarding experiences, like feeling comfort or support, not only wires our brains differently but releases feel-good neurotransmitters and hormones.
On a neurophysiological level, this shifts engagement away from our brain’s trauma response center, where a lot of our wrong subconscious beliefs were formed, to our prefrontal cortex. This shift allows us to integrate new experiences and fosters neuroplastic change. According to Doidge, even imagining an activity can light up our primary visual cortex, similar to actually performing the action. So, when we visualize, remember, or imagine pleasant experiences, it activates the same circuits that fired during the real thing. It’s a process that combines imagination and memory, sparking the beginning of creating new networks.
Since visualizations represent a crucial step, supported by studies indicating that imagining an action activates the brain similarly to actual experiences, let’s explore how we can use them to train our brain in renewing our beliefs aligned with God’s truth. The aim is to concentrate on the new emotions, learning to sense them even before our lives undergo a change. This concept resonates with the faith chapter, Hebrews 11, where actions follow faith, and the song lyric urging us to ‘dance like it’s already been done.’ Crafting visualizations aligned with God’s promises becomes a potent practice.
Let’s recall Paul’s encouragement that God goes beyond our thoughts and imaginations—a delightful challenge to see if we can out-imagine Him!
The key questions guiding our visualization journey specifically targeted to our ongoing loneliness example include:
- What does it look and feel like to have a devoted and committed circle of friends?
- How does unity with a group resonate within?
- What does balanced and reciprocal relationships feel like?
- What emotions arise when part of a group instead of standing on the periphery?
These envisioned emotions of the future-self become a catalyst for changing the current reality. It’s a positive direction for our imagination.
Have you ever caught yourself stressing out over what might happen in the future? We call it ‘Future Gazing.’ It’s when we paint these worst-case scenarios, forgetting to consider the positive, God-led possibilities. We end up trapped in fear-filled worlds of our own making, getting worked up over things that might never even happen. Knowing what we know now about how we can train our brains to wire new pathways through repetition, we want to be careful not to repeat worst case scenarios! We all daydream a bit, right? Let’s shift our focus to infusing positivity into those daydreams. Feel the emotions, don’t get bogged down by specifics. We’re leaving room for God’s creativity to fill in the beautiful details. It’s like a divine invitation to think about the lovely, good, and trustworthy, as the Bible nudges us to. The more we imagine, the more real it becomes, reinforcing our faith in seeing it all come to life.
Let’s look at some biblical stories. Remember the Israelites facing those intimidating giants? They fell into the trap of negative future gazing, and God wasn’t pleased with that mindset. It’s a lesson I take to heart. Picturing the future without leaving room for God is something I’ve got to catch and redirect. It’s like making a list of choices in a situation, but for my thoughts.
So, join me. The next time you catch yourself in the old way of future gazing, switch it up. Jot down scenarios where the future turns out amazing because God shows up. Imagine the excitement of comparing those notes with what God actually does. Even better, spend some quality time with God and ask Him about your future.
Here’s a cool activity for you to put this into action! Write a letter to yourself from five years in the future. Imagine your life with transformed beliefs. Need some inspiration? Check out this sample letter to kickstart your own journey.
Stick this letter in a place you’ll rediscover, set a calendar reminder for five years, and prepare to be amazed at how much comes true. It’s like making a prophetic agreement with your goals, expanding your vision beyond today’s limitations. And even if it doesn’t all happen exactly as you wrote, there’s no harm—just a chance to embrace hope. Visualize with God, ensuring your dreams align with His heart for you. It’s not a genie-in-the-bottle scenario, but a delightful journey with God.
Here is an additional thought about taming that ‘future-gazing’ habit.
Take my experience of fear driving my imagination and behavior because of some painful recent losses. I was fearing the pain of my cat’s eventual loss as one to many grief events than I wanted to sign up for. I noticed myself hesitating fully loving them, due to envisioning a future filled with heartbreak. I future gazed about how sad and alone and heartbroken I would be if I allowed myself to get more attached to them. About how devastated I would be, about how painful it would be. It helped to realize I was in the middle of a future gazing trip, and I realized I did not want to give my power to this future scenario I was picturing in my mind. God gently nudged me to live in the present and relish the joyous moments with my kitties, giving both them and me savored memories instead. If you’re a chocolate lover you will relate to this: You don’t give up chocolate just because it melts, right? Not me, anyway! Why would we deprive ourselves the joys available and, might I add God-given gifts, for the moment? You could just stop thinking future gazing things and live in the moment. But why not go a step further? Knowing that inevitable day will come, I opted for positive future-gazing, showing God I believe in His goodness and comfort. I envisioned overcoming the pain of loss with Him, seeing God’s redemption, and facing fear like David against Goliath, confident in the God I serve. Ready to sling some stones with me?
Do you think visualizations could be a useful piece in your work to change beliefs?
Next time you catch yourself in the old pattern of future gazing, jot down scenarios where the future turns out amazing because God shows up. Spend quality time with God and seek His perspective on your future.
And don’t forget, kickstart your own journey with a letter to your future self. Imagine the incredible transformation waiting for you in five years. Stick that letter where you’ll rediscover it, set a calendar reminder, and get ready to be amazed. This isn’t just a journey; it’s an incredible adventure with God, and I’m excited to see where it leads for each of you!”
THIS! Just exactly what I needed this season as I am walking through a divorce from a 25-year destructive marriage. I am SO glad I found this article and I will be looking forward to more of your content!
Oh, Tricia, my heart goes out to you! That is a long time and a lot of pain condensed in that sentence! I am so glad you are getting free! 💕 I pray for your process and your healing. 🙏🏻