Affe mit Schädel (Ape with Skull) by Hugo Rheinholdt (c. 1893). By Jfderry – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31511541

“…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” – Phillipians 4:9-9 (ESV)

Monkey Brain noun (muhng-kee breyn)

1. A form of brain damage caused by repeated overstimulation of the cerebellum, stemming from a gluttonous mental diet of news and opinions (mostly opinions misrepresented as news) and pop culture. 
2. An epithet for one who is exhibiting symptoms of Monkey Brain.

Monkey Brain (toxicus cerebrum primatus) strikes when one’s mind is blinded to the Truth by drowning in a constant sea of media, flooding in from the eyes and ears, filling the cranial cavity of the infected victim with a stream of “woke” and “fake news” misinformation, cloaked as fact. Common symptoms include confusion, loss of common sense, inability to see God at work in this world and overly opinionated expressions of political and social views (presented as absolute fact, with or without solid proof).

We all suffer from Monkey Brain to one degree or another.  We are all affected by our culture, by what we see, hear, feel, think and perceive.  When what we believe is based on these factors and not the Truth as defined in God’s Word, our perception is really deception.

Monkey Brain sufferers often display behaviors caused by a focus on subjects that are either false or unimportant.

If any of the below questions concern you deeply, you may be suffering from Monkey Brain:

• What does Taylor Swift think about the state of the world today? 
• Are UFOs real? 
• What does Taylor Swift think about UFOs? Has she ever flown in one?
• Why are protesters blocking I-94 to speak out against the use of cotton fill to stuff teddy bears? 
• What does Taylor Swift think about the use of cotton fill to stuff teddy bears? 
• Should I start Christmas shopping this early?
• What does Taylor Swift want for Christmas?
• Are plant-based meat substitutions the way to go? 
• What does Taylor Swift think about plant-based meat substitutes? 
• What about Donald Trump? I bet he doesn’t eat plant-based meat substitutes.
• Will Elon Musk run the world someday?
• Will Taylor Swift run the world someday? 
• Who will cause the end of the world?  Iran?  Israel?  China?  North Korea?  Taylor Swift?
• What does Taylor Swift think about the end of the world?
• Is Putin real or AI generated?
• Is Taylor Swift real or AI generated?
• Is truth real or AI generated?
• What is real?
• What is true?

If you, like me, suffer from Monkey Brain, there is hope.  There is a way to know the Truth, the reality of our situation, the outcome of the “unknown”, the source of – and antidote to – all our confusion and anxiety and worry.

The remedy for Monkey Brain is as follows:

1. Read the Bible.
2. Pray.
3. Study the Bible.
4. Pray.
5. Seek first the kingdom of God – His will, His ways, His character, His sovereignty over all.
6. Pray.
7. Surround yourself with fellow believers who will help you stay focused on Jesus.
8. Pray.
9. Mind what you feed your mind – what you watch, what you read, what you listen to, what you accept.
10. Pray.
11. Stop believing everything as reported.  Not all of it true.  Not all of it is important.  Reject the toxic and embrace the Truth of God as revealed in the Bible.
12. Pray.

Do not be deceived (Matthew 24:3-5, Mark 13:5, Luke 2:1-8, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and 15:33, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, Colossians 2:8, Galatians 6:3-7, Ephesians 5:6, Romans 1:26- 27, James 1:13-22, 2 Timothy 3:13, 1 John 1:8 and 4:1, Revelation 12:9).  Recognize that the insanity swirling around us is nothing more than “wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains” (Matthew 24:6-8, ESV).

And know this.  The media feeds us information, some factual, much not.  God doesn’t call us to know everything.  We aren’t meant to understand it all.  We are created to believe, to walk in faith in God through Jesus Christ.  What we see on this earth doesn’t have to make sense. God’s way and the ways of this world are in opposition. 

Am I suggesting we stick our heads in the sand, ignoring what’s going on? Absolutely not. All I’m saying is trust God in all that’s going on. Recognize He is sovereign over all – even those who do not accept Him as Lord and Savior. Don’t believe everything you hear, read and see. If it isn’t the gospel, don’t take it as such.

Now, I need to grab my Bible for my Monkey Brain therapy.

NOTE: I do not have anything against Taylor Swift. You can insert the name of any celebrity and it will have the same result. God is still sovereign.