In today’s fast paced environment, it seems that our brains are switching between topics with increased rapidity. We are in danger of producing the equivalent of a neurochemical milkshake by switching between thoughts and tasks on a prolonged repeated basis.

Milkshake-Multitasking

Dr. Leaf likens milkshake-multitasking as a plague. We either think from topic to topic coming to shallow conclusions. Or, we attempt to do many things at once, enjoying the illusion of accomplishing much.

I learned surprisingly that this way of operating could lead to the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder, ADHD from Doctors. Ritalin a prescription drug for ADD and ADHD, saw a 66% increase in prescriptions in 2013 to 2.4 billion doses worldwide. Of which the United States of America is responsible for 80%, per Wikipedia.

Social Media

The onset of social media is not helping. Especially with the concept of keeping content small, like the 140-character tweet for twitter, and streaming information regularly. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other forms of Social Media has been found to be just as addictive as drugs, alcohol, and chemical substance abuse.

A large number of friends on any given social media site may be impressive, but it’s been my experience that the more friends I have, the more information gets onto my wall. I end up flitting from post to post for much too long, feeling unproductive at the end. But yet, I go back to it and do it all again a little bit latter.

Determined Thought

What does determined thought look like in comparison to milkshake- multitasking? Proverbs 4 will help shed some light:

Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they’re bursting with health. Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.

From last week’s blog I stated that we were to capture our thoughts, and make them obedient to Christ. This is where our soul harmony will be found. This way of thinking can serve as an umpire which directs the thoughts as shown in Colossians 3:15.

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].

It would behoove us to become aware of our thoughts and take the time to reflect upon them, and compare the thoughts to what is directed in scripture. Dr. Leaf noted in her studies that those who determinedly focused on the issues at hand experienced the greatest changes.

Conclusion

Listen to God’s word and be vigilant by concentrating on them as they are bursting with life. Let the peace of Christ become the controlling factor, by purposely slowing down your thoughts, thinking deeply with intention to avoid neurochemical milkshakes.

Switch On Your Brain: The Key To Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2013), pgs 92-102