My passion to see women nurture a mindset that is healthy continues to widen as I see the increase in the need for mental health awareness. Our mindset begins the narrative we believe for our life. Thoughts are formed from experiences that sets the tone for how we will think in the future. Romans 12:2 says “And be not conformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect, will of God.”
Clear Decisions
A strong mindset is necessary for clear decisions to be made. When our mind is clouded with distractions like negativity, unforgiveness, disappointments and confusion, it inevitably keeps us from thinking with clarity. So, fostering a strong mindset is contingent on our responses to the various experiences we encounter.
As we know, it’s not about what happens to us, but how we respond to what happens to us. We make choices on how we decide to feel, what we decide to say or not say and what actions we decide to take. In midst of life shifting, how can we develop and nurture a strong mindset? Is it possible to think positive about negative situations? How can we say “It’s going to work out for my good” when it looks like things are chaotic? That old cliché that says, we can see the glass half full or half empty. However, how we choose to look at the other empty or full half can determine our next steps. Fostering a strong mindset must be intentional and purposeful. The purpose of a strong mindset is to push forward the intent of healthy thinking that leads to healthy living.
Protecting Your Peace
How do you foster a strong mindset when unexpected or disappointing news comes. You first need to ask what you have control over and how much does it impact you. There are times when you may need to step away from a situation to protect your peace and thoughts so that they are not disturbed. Maintaining a strong mindset will help you to overcome those disruptive thoughts that try to overwhelm you.
Your mindset must start from a foundation of thoughts that are positive, growth focused, and most of all Christ-centered. If your thoughts are centered around you, your reasons, ideas and solutions, then there will be a great possibility that may become fickle and open a gap for unhealthy thinking to enter. Why?
Filters
Many times our experiences and current feelings and emotions can dictate our thought process. For example, if we have just had an experience that left us sad, disappointed or even angry, a lens is created. It is that lens that we will filter many of our proceeding thoughts that triggers our responses and actions that may be uncharacteristic of the real you.
Fostering a strong mindset will help you to capture those thoughts and bring them under the truth of the word of God. When they are captured, then a realignment can take place so our thoughts will become pure, solid and strong. When you find yourself in a space that negative thoughts seem to overtake you or shake your faith, it’s time to shift. You shift by identifying where the trigger of the thoughts come from. What might you need to change? Unfortunately, this may mean assessing if you are in a destructive relationship that may be causing your thinking to become skewed.
Seek out encouraging relationships that will help and not hinder. Be vulnerable enough to say you need support and accountability so that those who love you can help you become aware of when you are not showing up authentically. Fostering a strong mindset is an intentional journey of checking our thoughts to ensure that we are aligned with the standards of God so that our thinking will lead us to an outcome of healthy living and godly peace.