Transforming Thought Patterns: Lessons from Moana and the Power of Scripture

Over the weekend I saw Moana 2 with my grandchildren. It is an animated musical adventure film produced by Walt Disney. In one scene Moana was visiting with the spirit of her grandmother and her grandmother said” I can’t see where your story leads but we must never stop being who we are. “ As a young child Moana had ventured where none of her village would go— beyond the reefs into the treacherous water. She had gained the respect of the village and had received a reputation as a “way maker.”

The village was facing eventual extinction and sent Moana on a journey to find a “way “ to connect with other people . But she had no idea where those people were.

Facing the Unknown: A Parallel to Real Life

I just finished a coaching session with my client. In a sense, she is in the same position. This was her statement today “ I feel like the circumstances and situations in my life dictate to me how I should think. Last week I prayed with an individual who told me that he had no control over his thinking — the doctors and other people in his life dictate how he should think. Yesterday a friend of mine said that the media is controlling everyone’s thinking right now. Really!!!!!!!!!!!

The Science of Thought and Transformation

Science tells us that if we rehearse the negative in our minds our brain will not get the correct signals and it wires it in a jumbled toxic mess. Especially with a trauma of some kind —we relive the event over and over again and it becomes deeper and deeper imbedded in the mind and soul.

A character in the movie suggests to Moana that when you think it is impossible to proceed and your journey is done and you are at the end there is always another way. And Moana continues on the journey. But when it looks absolutely impossible, she is ready to completely give up. That is when her mythical friend Maui creates a new vision for her. And she turned an apparent devastating situation into a victory.

Scripture and Science: The Path to Renewal

Scripture gave us the solution thousands of years ago. It tells us to get rid of all the bad and with a humble spirit receive the word of God which is already rooted in our heart which is able to save our souls. If we Choose to replace the bad situation with the word of God it saves our soul.

It is like we are standing outside of our body observing the toxic thought as a weakening, dying experience. And as we think of this day after day we destroy the bad thoughts.

Thousands of years later, science tells us that chemicals like Oxytocin which binds and remolds the chemicals in our brains starts to form. This causes dopamine to be produced which increases our focus and attention. And in addition, serotonin is produced which increases peace and happiness.

The Power of Focusing on Truth

As it is written, the solution is to read and mediate on it day and night so that we may be careful to do everything in accordance with the word ; for then you will make your way prosperous and you will be successful . When we focus our minds on God’s truth we will see amazing transformations.

When Moana objectively observed her own thinking with the view to capture her own thoughts, she redirected her attention to stop the negative impact and thereby rewired the circuits in her brain. We have a miraculously powerful instrument sitting on top of our shoulders which God created. It was no accident.

Lessons for All Generations

I talked to my grandsons a bit about the movie. They get it. Why is it that so many adults struggle with this?? I pray that they never stop being who they are— who God created them to be.