Welcome to this MAD Coaching Habit from Difference makers by John Michael. differencemakers.substack.com This is Simon’s story. My Journey to Purpose Through Faith and Neuroscience Introduction: When Success Feels Hollow. A year ago, if you’d asked me how my life was going, I’d have said, “Fantastic!” I had my dream job, a nice apartment with an unblocked view, a neat EV, travel in the pointy end, 5 star hotels and the admiration of friends and colleagues. On the surface, I was sitting pretty and looking good. Inside? Oh inside was a very different matter. Inside, I was panicking and approaching a breakdown. Inside, I was feeling… empty. Nights were sleepless, my mind filled with questions I couldn’t answer: Why am I doing this? What’s the point? I had everything I thought I wanted, but none of it felt fulfilling. The shame hit hardest. How could I feel so empty when I had so much? This is the story of how I found clarity, purpose, and peace—not by hustling harder, but by learning to renew my mind and trust God with the process. With the help of my mentor, John Michael, I discovered how neuroscience and faith intersect to rewire not just how we think, but how we live. And, more importantly, what we live for. If you’ve ever felt stuck, striving but never arriving, this story is for you. The Day I Hit My Wall. The Breaking Point. It happened on a Thursday during a tense team meeting. My chest tightened, my thoughts raced, and my hands started to tingle. My mind screeched, silently, What if I fail? What if they see through me? I barely made it to the end of the meeting before locking myself in my office. My heart pounded as I stared at the wall, my breath shallow. I couldn’t keep going like this. That night, I called John Michael. “I’m falling apart,” I admitted. “It’s like I’m always on edge. I can’t stop the panic. It’s exhausting.” John, calm as ever, said, “Simon, your mind is stuck in survival mode. There’s a Proverb, 14 verse 12, that says, ‘There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.’ You’ve been chasing the world’s version of success—working harder, moving faster—but it’s wearing you down because it’s not rooted in purpose.” His words stung, but they hit home. “What do I do?” I asked. John’s voice softened. “Metanoia. Renewal, Simon. Romans 12:2 reminds us, ‘Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.’ Renewal isn’t just spiritual—it’s how God designed your brain to work. Meet me tomorrow, and I’ll show you.” ☀️✨🌟✨☀️ The Science of Renewal. Understanding the Brain God Designed. John’s office was a mix of a library and a lab, filled with books on neuroscience, theology, and leadership. “Simon,” he began, “your brain is a masterpiece, a poem if you like, of God’s creation. It’s designed for growth and renewal, a process called neuroplasticity. Think of your brain like a path in the woods. The more you think a certain way—whether it’s fear or gratitude—the deeper that path becomes. But here’s the good news: You can carve new trails.” “So, my brain is stuck hiking the wrong paths?” I asked. “Exactly,” John said, smiling. “Your amygdala—the part of your brain responsible for fear—has been running the show. It’s like a fire alarm going off at the slightest spark. But God gave you a prefrontal cortex too. That’s the part of your brain responsible for reflection, reason, and self-control. Practices like gratitude, prayer, and stillness help shift control from your amygdala to your prefrontal cortex.” I nodded slowly. “And Scripture?” “God’s Word is a guide for renewal,” John explained. “Take Isaiah 26: 3: ‘You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.’ When you focus on God’s truth, you’re carving new, healthier paths in your brain. God’s words are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.” “Another Proverb?” I asked. “Indeed,” John replied, “Proverbs 4 verse 22.” He handed me a journal. “Start here. Write down three things you’re grateful for every morning. It might feel awkward at first, but trust me—gratitude is like a muscle. The more you practice, the stronger it gets.” 📘📗📙📕📚 Small Steps, Big Change. Building New Habits. The first morning, I stared at the blank page in my journal. Gratitude? I wasn’t even sure where to start. Eventually, I wrote: Coffee. My house. The sunrise. It felt forced, but I remembered John’s words: “Think of this as planting seeds. Over time, they’ll grow.” One morning, I read Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely… think about such things.” That verse became my guide. Slowly, I started noticing beauty in ordinary moments—a colleague’s encouragement, the warmth of sunlight through the window, the shapes of the clouds forming and swirling. When I shared this with John, he nodded. “Gratitude activates your brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine and serotonin—chemicals that improve mood and focus. And when you anchor it in Scripture, you’re aligning your mind with truth.” Still, I struggled with guilt whenever I paused to rest. “Isn’t it selfish to slow down?” I asked. John shook his head. “Rest isn’t selfish—it’s obedience. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’ Rest resets your brain’s stress response and renews your spirit. It’s not laziness; it’s sharpening the saw.” ⚙️🔧🛠️⚙️🔩 Leading with Purpose. Taking the Lead. As my mindset began to shift, so did my leadership. At our next team meeting, I tried something new. “Before we start,” I said, “let’s take a moment to pause. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Let’s reset and focus on what really matters today.” It felt awkward at first, but the mood in the room changed. My team seemed more engaged, more open. John encouraged me to keep leading this way. “Leadership isn’t about control,” he said. “It’s about serving others. In John 13:14–15, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet and said, ‘I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.’ True leadership reflects His example of humility and service.” Inspired, I began mentoring a younger colleague. We talked about resilience, purpose, and faith. Proverbs 27:17—“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”—came alive for me. 🌱🌿🌳🌿🌱 Reflect, Adjust, Grow. The Power of Reflection. Every Friday, I set aside time to review my week. I’d ask myself: * What went well? * Where did I struggle? * What can I do differently next week? This habit helped me see both my progress and God’s hand in my life. Romans 8:37 encouraged me: “In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” John explained why this practice worked: “Reflection strengthens your prefrontal cortex. It’s like a feedback loop—when you review what’s working and reframe failures, you reinforce growth. And spiritually, it reminds you that God uses even your mistakes for good.” 🔍✅🔄✅🔍 Passing It On. Lighting the Way for Others. The biggest change came when I started sharing what I’d learned. One of my colleagues confided in me, saying, “I just feel so overwhelmed. I don’t know how to keep going.” “I know how that feels,” I said. “Let me show you something that helped me.” I handed them a journal and shared one of my favourite verses: Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.” Seeing their hope reignite reminded me of Matthew 5:16: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” I was learning to be a beacon. Much better than burned out. 💬🤝🌐🤝💬 A New Way Forward. Looking back, I see how much has changed—not because I worked harder, but because I started small and trusted God with the process. By aligning my habits with His design and anchoring my mind in His truth, I found the peace I’d been searching for. If you feel stuck, know this: Transformation is possible. Start small. Focus on truth. And when you’re ready, share your journey with someone else. That’s how we become Difference Makers. Conclusion: Your Path to Transformation In summary, Simon’s story is a powerful reminder that true transformation starts with small, intentional steps. By aligning our habits with God’s design for our minds and anchoring ourselves in His truth, we can break free from survival mode, find peace, and lead with purpose. Now it’s your turn to take this forward. Here’s how you can apply the lessons from Simon’s journey in your own life: Why You Should Do This (Motivate) If you’re feeling stuck—overwhelmed by stress, trapped in self-doubt, or wondering if your life has deeper meaning—this is your wake-up call. God didn’t design you to merely survive; He created you for purpose and renewal. As John Michael told Simon, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12). The world’s formula for success often leads to burnout. But God’s way—anchoring your thoughts in His truth and trusting His plan—leads to peace and transformation. Start because you deserve more than exhaustion and anxiety. Start because your life can reflect God’s glory and inspire others. What You Need to Know (Acquire) Understanding the science behind renewal can make your transformation journey feel tangible: Neuroplasticity: Your brain can change. Every time you choose gratitude, stillness, or truth, you
