What we think and believe about ourselves is crucial to our success. As a believer in the Lord Jesus, we have His promise that He came to bring us life and abundant at that (John 10:10b).
Align Ourselves With Scripture
As believers, we are coheirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) and we are called children of God (Galatians 3:26, Romans 8:14, Galatians 4:7, https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Children-Of-God).
We have been told by many well-intentions preachers, pastors, and evangelists that we are worms and sinful creatures. That might have been our state before we became disciples of Jesus, but we are told by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Our beliefs about ourselves need to be more in line with the new creation we are and not our former selves.
Part of the reason many still believe we not worthy or put limits on ourselves is that we have not incorporated our new standing.
We need to implement Romans 12:2 where Paul tells us “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
We stay in jobs and careers because that is what the world told us that we are good at or that is “just what you need to do.”
What if, God is calling you to something more? Will you be able to hear the calling, understand the calling, and walk in the calling?
The only way I know to answer that is to make sure that we renew our minds and become sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
My introductions to 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 as the supplication at the beginning of Deliverance’s 1990 album*
I wish I was living the most abundant life possible. I’m not.
I struggle with negative self-image more than I care to admit.
I love how the KJV translates 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; “4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”
In Addition To Scripture
Two of the best books, outside of Scripture, that I have personally read about mindset and limiting beliefs are Dr. Carol Dweck’s “Mindset”* and Gay Hendricks “The Big Leap.”*
Both of these books have been tremendously helpful to be on my journey during the past 5 years. They come from a more academic world view than a Biblical view. Even so, they provide clear help in identifying out “mental hangups” and share ways in which we can grow and improve.
Mini-Book Review: Mindset
Dr. Carol Dweck’s “Mindset”* focuses on the two extremes of fixed and growth mindsets.
A Fixed mindset describes when people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits and can’t be improved.
A Growth mindset describes when people understand that their abilities can be developed.
No one is all Fixed nor all Growth. We are somewhere along the spectrum. Our goal is to leave the Fixed behind and grow into the Growth.
Mini-Book Review: The Big Leap
Hendricks’book, “The Big Leap.”* focuses on four zones. They are
- Zone of Incompetence:
You stink at the task. Many people can do it better than you. - Zone of Competence:
You’re alright, but lots of others can do it better. - Zone of Excellence:
You’re highly skilled and few can keep up with you. - Zone of Genius:
You’re literally the best in the world at it.
Our goal is to identify the areas of our lives that are in each of the four zones. Then we need to remove as much of the first 3 zones as possible and live in our Zone of Genius.
Being the best in the world is not as daunting as it may seem. We are not trying to be the Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, or Lionel Messi. Nor are we trying to be The Beatles, Rihanna, nor Michael Jackson.
We are the best in the world at using your combination of skills, abilities, and experiences.
When you do this kind of work, you get into the state which is commonly called “the flow.”
In the flow, you find ceaseless inspiration, time seems to stand still, and you are able to do work that is far and beyond what anyone else is doing.
Next Steps
Decide today to do what the great Zig Ziglar suggested, “We all need a daily check-up from the neck up to avoid stinkin’ thinkin’ which ultimately leads to hardening of the attitudes.”
How do we do that?
Memorize Philippians 4:8 (EV).
Finally, brothers, 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.
We become what we think about. If we think about Philippians 4:8, we will start to see that being lived out in our lives.
You can also go through this free download of Scriptures and memorize these verses that talk about who you are in Christ.
*This page contains affiliate links meaning I may earn a commission if you use those links. I only recommend brands we use and trust.
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