Upgrade Your Mindset, Change Your Life

It has come to my attention that I have not posted on my blog for a little while. In the past months, my family moved from Vancouver, British Columbia to Sherbrooke, Quebec, where I serve as lead pastor of a church with my husband Pascal. We have been wanting to do ministry together for a while and we are delighted for this opportunity. Such transition also comes with its load of challenges; from helping our three teenagers adjust to a new school and make new friends in a different environment and culture. The main thing that made the most impact on my capacity to adjust and embrace this new life has been my mindset — that’s a trendy word I know. In the next few weeks, I will share with you several mindsets that can help you not only endure but thrive in the midst of changes in your life. 

First, what’s a mindset?

A mindset is a set of attitudes held by someone.  Your mindset reflects your way of thinking, influences the way you process and respond to certain events. 

Your mindset sets the tone for your emotions and is the filter through which you see the world. 

Here’s how mindset works: 

Event : what is happening 

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Mindset : your perception of the event

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Behaviour : your reaction or response to the event

For example, two people at work get called for a meeting by their employer. One is thrilled at the thought of getting a promotion and enters his boss’ office with great confidence and anticipation. The other one is terrified because she thinks she may get fired and goes to the bathroom and cries. Same boss, same event but two different employees with different mindsets. Your behaviour is highly determined by your way of thinking.

Your mindset influences your level of resilience, endurance and courage. It’s the difference between giving up and pressing through, creative problem solving and stagnation.  In Romans 12:2, Paul challenges us today: 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV- emphasis added)

 Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (NLT)

Changing your mindset is the way God transforms you and how He helps you discern His vision for your life. It will not only help you adjust to the unpredictable changes in your life, but will help you be more gracious with yourself and more intentional in your day-to-day life. 

In the next weeks, I will share with you 5 practical ways to upgrade your mindset: embrace growing pains, let constraint fuel your creativity, celebrate small steps, lean into fears and rejection, and reframe your life through the Word.

Now, let me ask you:

Which area of your life do you presently need a mindset change? 

Stay tuned for this practice series that will help you experience the breakthrough you have been longing for.