The first book that I requested, based on my reading "theme" these days, was "This is Your Brain in Love" by Dr. Earl Henslin. I requested this book quickly, without much browsing or in-depth detail as to what the book was about. I had been blogging about Joyce Meyer's "Reduce Me to Love" and "The Love Revolution" and am really passionate about learning to live in Christ-like love.
The subtitle to this book, "This is Your Brain in Love" is New Scientific Breakthroughs for a More Passionate and Emotionally Healthy Marriage. I honestly had not realized that I was going to be reading a book about marriage and it's passionate and emotional health. I thought it was going to be more about our inhibitions to love our neighbors, etc.
However, I was very impressed with this book. Henslin begins the book by talking about the chemical reactions and production in our brains when we first meet the person we are falling in love with. It is really interesting to see how some of the chemicals our brain produces, and the different areas of the brain impacted by such, can cloud reality. The book then discusses how, once these chemicals find their balance again, we remain "in love" with our spouse. There is quite a bit of discussion on what God intended when he created a sexual relationship between a man and his wife. Henslin also touches on the controversial topic of infidelity and pornography and the science behind why our brains do not produce the same chemical reactions to that type of relationship or addiction. I'll keep the blog family friendly and just encourage you to read those sections on your own.
Henslin then discusses the five different types of lover. These five different types are based on different blood flow to areas of the brain. He explains that many times when people enter marrital counseling with him he may have a troubled spouse have a SPECT scan of the brain, and find that different areas lack or have too much blood flow. It is interesting how many different types of depression can be caused by head trauma that individuals either do not relate to their problems or have forgotten about that are discovered during a brain scan. Dr. Henslin explains that it is essential in diagnosing treatment for depression with a brain scan, as the wrong type of prescription can make problems worse.
I enjoyed his discussion of how natural supplements, following a more specific and healthy diet, combined with exercise can many times correct brain imbalances without medication. However, Henslin did acknowledge that many times, medication is still needed, depending on circumstances.
What I really appreciated about this book was that for all the various types of issues related to marrital problems, Henslin addresses both husband and wife and explains the responsibilities of both spouses in overcoming the problems once they are diagnosed. While the book is very scientific, Henslin also remains focused on Christ's love, throughout.
He says, "When your husband looks in your eyes, does he see how Jesus would look at him? When your wife asks you a question, do you answer her with the same love and respect that Jesus showed to women?"
I think he sums up his book very honestly when he says "...The goal of this book is not just to give you 'love tools,' but to help you become a living instrument through which God's love can flow freely, so you can make beautiful music together. To truly be God's love, in human form, to the one you vowed to love for all time, you'll need more than a balanced brain and more than a great sex life, you'll need all of heaven's help you can get. You need the Holy Spirit filling you, renewing you to love your mate as Jesus would."
Thank you, BookSneeze.com! This one will remain on my shelf, and hopefully show the wear and tear of a long and healthy marriage!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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