Defeating the Lizard Brain

I get scared every time I write a blog. Putting a piece of yourself out for the world to see is both exhilarating and exhausting. Hiding always feels safer. But we are like this, you and I—we have what scientists call the Lizard Brain.

The Lizard Brain is the primitive part of your mind that was designed to keep you alive. Its main job? To scream, “Something’s about to eat you—stay safe!” The problem is that very few things are actually going to eat us today, yet the Lizard Brain still thrives.

What Feeds the Lizard Brain

If the danger isn’t lions or bears, what does this part of the brain feed on?

• For some, it’s the thought of leaving the house.
• For others, it’s applying for a job, asking someone out, or even trying a new haircut.
• On a deeper level, it could be quitting a job to step into your calling, leaving an abusive relationship, or setting boundaries with someone controlling.

The Lizard Brain thrives on fear—any fear.

God’s Answer to Fear

Scripture tells us:

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Take that, Lizard Brain! With God’s help, fear does not get the final word. But does it disappear overnight? I wish it were that easy. Let me share some practical ways to retrain your mind and shrink the Lizard Brain’s influence.

Step 1: Name the Fear

Start by identifying what you’re most afraid of. Simply bringing it into conscious awareness weakens its grip. When fear hides in the shadows, it grows stronger. But when you drag it into the light, it becomes changeable.

Step 2: Replace Fear with Truth

Once you’ve named the fear, find something true that speaks against it. If you don’t know where to begin, try searching “What does the Bible say about [your fear]?” Fill your mind with truth and let Scripture become your defense.

Step 3: Rewire Your Brain

Here’s the hard part: repeat this truth for at least 28 days. Why? Because that’s how long it takes to carve a new pathway in your brain. Scientists call it neuroplasticity. People of faith call it renewing the mind.

Every time you repeat truth over fear, you’re paving over the old dirt road of anxiety and building a new road of faith and courage.

Step 4: Run at the Fear

Once your inner work is underway, run straight at what scares you. I had to practice this just to publish this blog. My Lizard Brain is strong because I’ve been feeding it for years. But when I confront fear head-on, it dissolves—like cotton candy melting on the roof of your mouth.

And that’s where the future opens up. When you confront fear with truth, you begin to step into the life God has designed for you.