YOUR MINDSET MATTERS

Yesterday I saw this post by a Facebook friend: “I am expecting great things today.” I don’t know how her day turned out, but I am guessing it was better than most because our mindset matters. Our attitude and approach towards each day does make a difference. Also yesterday I heard someone share the illustration of the millionaire who went bankrupt, only to become a millionaire again. How does it happen that for one person a setback becomes an insurmountable obstacle and for another person it becomes an opportunity to make an amazing comeback? I believe a lot of it has to do with a person’s mindset.

The success gurus, the people who write the books, produce infomercials and hold seminars, often focus a great amount of attention on developing the right kind of mindset. They do so because your mindset matters. 

Personally, I believe there are limitations to what can be achieved by a proper and positive mindset. In my opinion the success gurus frequently go too far. They say things like: “You can be [do] whatever you set your mind to.” Or “You can create the life of your dreams.” I once heard Zig Zigler, the master motivator and teacher explain his positive approach towards life from his perspective as a follower of Christ: “A positive attitude will enable you to accomplish what God has planned for your life. A positive attitude will not enable you to do more than God planned, but a negative attitude will keep you from doing what God has planned for your life.” So true!

I am sure there are times when I’ve sabotaged God’s plans for my day because I didn’t choose the right mindset. Instead of rising above the crud and challenges in my life, I caved in to them, and became mired in a mindset of negativity and hopelessness. The only good which can come from the wrong mindset is if it draws (forces?) me closer to Jesus and brings me to a place of humility. 

Having a right mindset towards our day doesn’t mean we have to deny there are challenges to be faced. In my life experience, there are very few, if any, days where it’s a free skate. By that I mean, a day where there will be no obstacles or opposition. Therefore, we have to make a daily choice regarding our mindset. Personally, I am choosing to expect the favor and faithfulness of God to follow me throughout my day. “I’m expecting great things today.”

Additional Thought: There is a saying which sounds biblical but it’s not: “For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” It seems to be a rough paraphrase of Proverbs 23:7, but I don’t know when or where it first originated. There’s no doubt that our thoughts are very powerful and a right mindset or a wrong mindset can have a profound influence in our lives. At the same time, we should never fall into the trap of thinking that we have the power to create. There is only one Creator.