Mindset Determines Destiny

            Our mindset is really important. I am not talking about confessionalism, mere positivism or self-fulfilling gobbly gook. What I am talking about is that what we think on, what we set our minds to affects the direction of our entire lives. Every arena is affected by our focus. I am not talking about merely focusing on a goal. No, what our minds are filled with/feed on (what we think about and consumes our thoughts) affects our moods and even health. Study after study has been done showing how an increase of depression and gloominess is produced when news media consumption is increased.

            The Scriptures speak a lot about our minds. Now yes, I know that intuitively, but I was struck afresh with its meaning recently. I was reading Colossians, specifically chapters 2 and 3 which speak about the reality of the new life but how wrong mindsets lead to wrong practices which in turn lead to powerful habits that are hard to break. We often respond to a bad habit, to a sin, by creating rules and just telling ourselves to “stop it” or to others to “knock it off” (please read Colossians 2:21-23). But these never lead to freedom. Adhering to a law only can never provide deliverance. What we need is a miraculous, internal change.

            How can we attain that? Well, we cannot on our own but the key for the Christian, in whom the Spirit of God dwells, is to set out mind on things that are above (please read Colossians 3:1-4, Ephesians 3:14-21, 4:7, Galatians 3:1-2, 5:1-15). This mindset, this renewal (Romans 12:1-2), provides a strong connection to God, a closeness in our relationship with Him which gives power like a big brother standing right behind us, or a spouse supporting us when other family and the world is pushing back against our decision; that got-your-back power of the Spirit gives us strength to turn down temptations and trials that come our way and produces good works/fruits instead of more of the negatives ones that our fleshly works do when we depend on our own miserable strength (please read Galatians 5:5-26, Ephesians 1:13, 4:17-32, 5:1-14, Colossians 3:4-17).

Grace, Truth, and Peace – change are in Christ alone. Come to Him. It won’t always be easy but He will never leave you, He promises that (Matthew 28:20b, 2 Corinthians 12:9).