Last article/podcast, we explored “A Positive Mindset Works.” Actually, there’s nothing more critical to your success as a Jesus follower. Why? Simply, because a person’s mindset propels them forward into response. Essentially, into action. Subsequently, let’s look at more healthy mindset action points today, with the goal of building character like Christ.
Personal Relationship With God
There’s nothing so original, meaningful, precious, or incredible as having a personal relationship with God. Also, there’s nothing more undeserved. Further, the only reason you can have a deep friendship with God is because it’s also what He desires. So much so, that He sent Jesus to deal with our sin problem.
Once you begin this amazing adventure of friendship with God, you’ll be stunned at how riveting it is. Your life changes. No longer are you dead inside. Or empty. Or locked in sinful patterns. It’s no longer critical to “get” certain experiences to be fulfilled.
In essence, a sincere and personal relationship with God keeps you from an unhealthy mindset. Incidentally, what is an unhealthy mindset? Basically, it’s one that does not line up with Scripture. Unfortunately, if you foster an unhealthy mindset, you find yourself plunging into unhealthy choices.
The most important part of living is knowing God and enjoying Him forever.
New Heart – Characteristics
When you say “yes” to Jesus, you get a new heart. There are benefits of a new, transformed heart. What kind of heart is this? Here are some characteristics you gain.
Tenderness
Tenderness toward God and others. A kindness that increases continually as you become more like Christ.
Trust In God
Trust in God and His ability to hold all things together – despite the current condition the world may be in.
Gratitude
Gratitude for blessings you start to notice in your life. Some of them, you didn’t see before. Still, they’ve been present. So, thankfulness increases.
Eager Expectation
Eager expectation for what God will do next. So often, even in the middle of terrible things, there’s something good around the corner. God never ceases to use His power to help His people.
A Good-Natured Heart
A good-natured heart brings stability and cheer. It’s easy to get discouraged when issues get tangled and complicated. Especially when you see things that contradict Scripture. However, none of this surprises God. He’s already in tomorrow, addressing everything.
Peace
Peace. In times like we live in, peace is a treasure. And I don’t just mean peace between nations or peace as an alternative to war. Actually, I mean a deeper, personal peace that fills your spirit with assurance God is working – always.
Joy
Joy. Actually, to know God – is an undeserved privilege. Daily, to converse with Him from your heart would not be possible without Jesus. Such a gift! The joy of doing life with God surpasses all other good things in life.
Good Judgment
Good judgment. The ability to assess world events or to look at the character of a person, citizen, leader, is critical. In fact, Jesus says, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Mt. 7:20) Good judgment also includes making wise decisions and speaking with grace and truth.
Adventure
Adventure. Life without God is rather empty, boring, tiresome, dismal. As soon as you trust Jesus and come close to Him in obedience and fellowship, life shifts into an adventure – even in difficult times. To know God personally – is incredible!
Incidentally, does the above list of characteristics sound too good to be true? Does it not sound like you? If not, it can!
A Healthy Mindset Supports A New Heart
Did you know a healthy mindset supports a new heart? Additionally, it proves you love God and belong to Him. However, it doesn’t guarantee great days. You’ll still have troubles, temptations, and even sad times. The Spirit of Jesus in you is all you need.
You’ve likely experienced life’s harshness in some way. In fact, pain and disappointment are common to everyone. Well, you are in for a lovely surprise. God refreshes you. He also nurtures your mindset – if you keep your mind focused on Him. Rom. 12:2 says, ” . . . be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This describes a healthy mindset.
Even as you face pain and disappointment, God’s life inside you –
- Restores hope. In daily troubles, you need this.
- Renews your life. When you can’t go on, God renews you.
- God’s grace, affection, and mercy motivate you to want to obey Him.
- Interestingly, you begin to notice the goodness of Jesus Christ drives your choices.
- Resurrection power in you works to transform your habits, choices, words, attitudes, patterns.
- Desiring God becomes your delight as you daily interact with Him.
Logical Steps To A Healthy Mindset
Without a healthy mindset, Scripture sounds like mumbo-jumbo sometimes. However, it makes sense when you trust His Word and apply it. Here are some logical steps to build a healthy mindset:
- Spend time in God’s Word. Interestingly, you start to understand it.
- You develop a hunger for more of Scripture.
- God’s Spirit uses His Word to transform you into a new person.
- If this all seems foreign to you, stay the course. Here’s why . . .
- Once you become practiced in thinking according to God’s Word, it becomes normal to you – and you become the person God designed.
- FYI – This is where seasoned Jesus followers live.
AGAIN: This is where you discover the most important part of living is knowing God and enjoying Him forever.
As you live your life in Christ, you realize God declares – you are now dead to your old sin nature. You trusted Jesus to take your sins into His body on the cross, and in exchange, you received His gift of holiness and eternal life by faith. It’s the Great Exchange.
So, agree with God like this: Consider yourself dead to your old nature in every detail of life. Become holy by faith.
This mind set affects everything.
You Work To Maintain A Healthy Mindset
Your work is to align every part of your life with God’s perfect standards.
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- Thoughts.
- Attitudes.
- Words.
- Actions.
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Daily, make these congruent with Christ’s thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions. Practice His character in every issue. Afterall – What you practice is what you become.
Pray daily for God to transform you into His likeness. Partner with Him. The more you carry yourself like Jesus and yield to Him, the more you’ll notice the Fruit of the Spirit in your life. You work. God works. Again – What you practice is what you become.
Your life on earth is the only time you can give such a love gift to God from your heart. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus is Lord – even the enemy. (Phil. 2:9-11)
Remarkably, as you pursue character like Christ’s and choose responses that please God – you prove you love Him. Plus, you prove you are grateful from your heart.
Healthy Mindset Can Be Your Daily Reality
Since one day, you (and everyone) will acknowledge Christ’s Lordship, whether or not you choose it now (Phil. 2:10), it is reality. So, why not live in this reality each day? Why not nurture a healthy mindset in every situation?
God gave you a will to choose who you give your heart to. Your privilege is to give your heart to God of your own free choice. Few people realize this amazing opportunity to say, “I love You back” to God.
I think Paul said it best. In fact, his choice of words defines discipleship well. “Work out your salvation.” (Phil. 2:12) There’s a reason it’s called work.
- Get a healthy mindset.
- Consider yourself dead to sin and alive to Christ.
- You work. God works.
- What you practice is what you become.
Take advantage of the mindset to know God as a Friend, to tell God you love Him first and most. When you embrace this perspective, everything else falls into place. So, make your move!
By your life actions and choices, you “say it out loud!” Jesus is Lord, and I live in this reality.
Application Thoughts And Questions
- What is most important in your life?
- By your actions and choices, what are you saying out loud?
- What mindset do you typically have each day? Ponder this.
- Have you accepted a new heart from God?
- Do you ask Him to grow and change you each day?
- What needs to change so you have a healthy mindset – to be more like Jesus?
- Describe how you think God sees you.
- Do you “work out your salvation” in every life detail?
- Similarly, by how you live, do others see you love God back?
- If you were accused of being a Jesus follower, is there enough evidence to convict you?
* Portions of this content came from our book – It’s Your Move – a devotional book that takes you through Romans and powerfully challenges you to live with perspective and purpose. You can find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.
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- Brief Daily Focus – Short reflective thought focuses your heart by exploring a special role Jesus has in your life. It’s very encouraging!
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Day #3 Fun Activity uses Resurrection Eggs to tell the Easter story with a little reminder token in each egg. To get your set before Wednesday’s Fun Activity:
- Order NOW (amazon – or another online vendor) OR
- Visit/call your local Christian Bookstores to inquire about a set OR
- Make your own.
To make your own:
Incidentally, it’s fun and simple to make your own set! Fill empty plastic eggs with little items to tell the Easter story. This picture shows items needed in each plastic egg. Kids of every age love this set.
With a little creativity, you can find/make items similar to these things:
- #1Egg-Donkey – Jesus rode into Jerusalem.
- #2Egg-Coins – Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver.
- #3Egg-Cup – The last supper of communion.
- #4Egg-Praying hands – Jesus’ agonizing prayer in Gethsemane.
- #5Egg-Whip – He was scourged severely.
- #6Egg-Rooster – “You’ll deny Me 3 times before the rooster crows.
- #7Egg-Crown of thorns – Put on Jesus’ head.
- #8Egg-Cross – He was nailed to a cross.
- #9Egg-Spear – His side was pierced after dying.
- #10Egg-Cloth – Jesus was wrapped in linen.
- #11Egg-Stone – A stone closed the tomb Jesus was laid in.
- #12Egg-Empty – He rose from the dead and isn’t there.
If you decide not to make or order this set, our content gives additional activity options.
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