Mindsets-Fixed vs Growth

A psychologist friend of mine shared an article by James Clear on ‘Growth vs Fixed mindsets and how as an educator, it can be applied or promoted in any learning environment.

My takeaways from the article:

·     * You can have both a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. The difference is, having a fixed mindset can sometimes become a hindrance for our development or our growth. When I tell myself that I’m no good at something, I will avoid situations that would cause me to do it! However, with a growth mindset, I look at mistakes and setbacks as learning and growing opportunities. With a growth mindset, I allow room for growth, and confidence to bloom.

·      *“Your mind is a powerful thing. The stories you tell yourself and the things you believe about yourself affects your behaviour.” James Clear

All of this caused me to reflect on faith during my devotion this morning.  Am I so fixed in my ways that I do not allow room for change? My reading was from:

Galations 4: 6-7
Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child; God has made you also an heir.

Do I believe that I’m an heir through Christ? Do I believe that God has sent the Spirit of His Son to dwell in our hearts? What am I feeding my mind with? Am I feeding it with negativity and defeat? What stories am I telling myself?

My faith in His Word and His ability to perform His Words will determine my approach to challenges throughout life.


With God, my brain has no ceiling! Anything can happen! Will I choose a fixed mindset or a growth mindset?

At the cross

Just love this song. It reminds me of His love. There is nothing greater than His LOVE. Even though I may fail Him or I may stray from His presence, I know that He still loves me. Nothing can separate me from His love.

Happy New Year

2016 is upon us. New encounters, new adventures and new challenges.  Thank you Lord for this new year. I surrender everything into Your hands. 

Increase your standard of giving

Love this quote!

Mighty God

Reflection on 2015

As I sit and reflect on my journey through 2015, I am grateful for so many things. I am reminded that the God that we serve is a faithful God!

If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. (2 Tim.2:13).

Photo credit: Google images

Bring on 2016. I know that it's going to be another wonderful journey.

Purpose

"When you have a purpose for your life, it disciplines your behaviour and chooses your habits." Myles Munroe.

The Blood of Jesus Protects

'The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.' Exodus 12:13

I was blessed by this passage this morning. The story goes that one plague after another struck the Egyptians but none of the plagues caused Pharaoh to release the Israelites until they put the blood on their door post. The people were told to apply the blood over the doorpost of their house so when the angel of death came at midnight, it would know what to do.
The sign of the blood told the angel that death had already taken place in that house so he had nothing to do there.....so he passed on to the next house. The blood protected the house hold from death.

The Blood of Jesus does the same for us. The Blood protects us. The destroyer cannot come near when he sees the blood so each day plead the Blood of Jesus and protect all that is yours.

Thank you Jesus for your precious and powerful Blood.

Isaiah 45:2-3

God's promises never fail. 

'The Bible says it, I believe it and that settles it!' Author Unknown.

Power of the tongue

So many times we carelessly speak words out without thinking of its effects on others and ourselves.

This morning I am reminded of the power of the tongue and the power of the spoken word!! When someone says something nice to me or even compliments me, I feel good inside. There's this positive, feel good energy that rises within me. I would imagine that the same thing would happen to others!

However, the opposite happens when negative words are spoken. 

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”

Proverbs 15:1, 4

We have the power to speak positive words over others and ourselves. Words that bring life, healing, restoration, joy, happiness and words that create a positive energy.

I am also reminded that our heart is so connected to the words we speak! Jesus said.....

".......out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45)

If the heart is critical then the tongue will be critical. If it's bitter, the tongue will be bitter.  Words that come out of a bitter heart will destroy others. If I have a self-righteous heart then I will always think I am right and be judgmental of others.

Prayer

Lord, “Set a guard over my mouth, and keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3) , fill my heart with your love so may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Psalm 19:14.

Are You Looking for Jesus?

“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:22

“ The stone at Christ’s tomb was not rolled away to let out Jesus but to let eyewitnesses to declare, “He is risen!” Billy Graham.

What is your first port of call?

--> What would be your first port of call when you receive a late night phone call from your doctor explaining your medical check up results?

I wouldn’t be telling the truth if I didn’t say that I had a few moments of panic and worry and my mind going into overdrive, racing to try and figure things all out!

After a few minutes of trying to problem-solve in my head, I sat down and had a conversation with Daddy. I could imagine Him smiling and at the same time shaking His head and thinking 'There she goes trying to figure it all out!" 

Why talk to Him?  I believe that He is the only one who knows me better than I know myself. It was His hand that knitted me together in my mother’s womb and His eyes saw my unformed body! (Psalms 139:13, 16). He knows how everything works! Who else would be a better doctor and listener then my Creator!

I am encouraged by His words in which He says,  But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. (Isaiah 43:1)

The reading goes on to say ..When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (vs 28) 

I take comfort in His Words, knowing that He is faithful and that when I hand over my fears of the unknown and my whole situation to Him, I believe AND trust that He will take control.