Your Brain Needs Joy!

If you’ve seen the movie “Inside Out” by Disney/Pixar, you know there’s this thing in your brain called joy. Joy is actually essential for maturity.

If you want to grow in maturity, you need joy. If you want to endure trials well, you need a reserve of joy. In John 15, Jesus speaks of abiding in the Vine. Of staying connected to him. He says in verse 11,

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Countless times in Scripture we see that joy is relational! The last few decades have been huge in the field of neuroscience. They’ve discovered how the brain reacts to joyful connection and how the brain reacts when it’s missing.

You’ve heard of “Your Brain on Drugs,” or “Your Brain on Porn.” These are substitutes that the brain uses when it’s lacking joy. Our capacity to deal with all the challenges of life develops out of joy.

Have you ever wondered what’s happening in your brain and body when you are angry or afraid?

What about when you are at peace, or overjoyed?

Here, we will break down the neuroscience and see that it aligns with Scripture. The Creator of the Universe designed your brain. Jesus dreamed you up with a specific heart that is unique to you, and He wants you to live out of that heart to reflect him to the world! We have the privilege of representing a loving God who valued a relationship with us so much that He sent His Son to die in our place. God designed our entire being to joyfully connect into maturity. He is with you now and wants to help you heal, mature and live abundantly. He wants your brain on joy! Before we grow joy, let’s unpack the concept of Integrated Maturity.