“God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7
The brain has three main parts. The cerebrum is the main one, which is divided into two halves and connected by about two hundred million nerve fibers. Most of its surface is deeply folded so that its four hundred square inches can fit into a small space at the top of the head. The cerebrum contains what is commonly called “gray matter.” This is where the brain receives messages from various parts of the body and distributes them to the proper cells. Actually, the electrical circuits and controls in the brain are more numerous than those in the combined broadcasting stations of the world.
There are “silent” areas in the front part of the brain which do not connect to body parts. This is where thinking, affection, pity, knowledge, memory and other non-active processes are generated.
Another part of the brain is the cerebellum, which is under the back part of the cerebrum. Here is where control is maintained over the body’s muscles. Also, from this part of the brain the skills of a musician, doctor, artist, athlete and other voluntary physical activities originate.
The third section is known as the medulla oblongata. It is shaped like a bulb at the top of the spinal column. This is where control is maintained over involuntary actions - breathing, heartbeat, blood circulation, digestion and other vital body processes. This is also the area that regulates emergency action such as fright, running, fighting or any activity that places a strain on the heart or lungs.
The brain is connected to the all-important spinal cord and is protected by the skull. The skull has been designed with a large hole at its base which fits snugly to the top of the spine. Through this hole, the nerve cord descends from the brain to reach all vital parts of the body. The Creator has seen to it that they are all well protected.
How does the brain produce thoughts? What actually is the mind? No one knows except the One who has created us. The brain is certainly a superb creation with no supervision needed on our part to keep it functioning.
But, sadly, we do not always use our brains and minds as we should. The prophet Jeremiah declared: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). However, if we know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, He has given us a new nature and delights to see our hearts and minds using that nature to please Him by walking in right paths.
“Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name” (Psalm 86:11) is a good daily prayer.
ML-01/19/2003