Change your mind. Change your life.

On New Year’s Day, as I was praying about the year ahead, I heard God speak to me about a few things that would affect my life and those I lead. I heard God say, “Change your mind, change your life.”

I had a major revelatory year about eight years ago, which changed the trajectory of my life. (I wrote about it in a previous blog post) Therefore, I'm familiar with the effects of a changed mind. It changed my life. Where I struggled with the shame of rejection, peace now reigned. I no longer lived my life for God’s approval; I lived from it. Rested.

After all, doesn’t Scripture tell us that renewing our minds transforms us?

I have some goals I have not fully accomplished. I don’t mean to get off track; life is sometimes in the way. I mean to exercise, paint my house, learn how to make my own perfume (yes, that is one of my goals), learn how to build a website, write more, create video content, spend more time with the women of our church, etc. Why haven’t I done any of these things to the extent I would like? Why haven’t so many of us accomplished things?

Most of the time, it is our mindset.

When raising my kids, I made a very serious decision to stay home. I chose to homeschool, grow a garden, and live on a tight budget, which opened the door to many ideas and creativity. It was fun and memorable.

To my dismay, I often received comments from women such as, “I don’t know how you do it! I’m exhausted thinking about doing one more thing!” Women often compared themselves to me and felt lacking. I would be tempted to lower my standard or do fewer things to make them feel like I wasn’t showing off ( I wasn’t), but the sense of victory and accomplishment became overshadowed by doubt and shame.

I didn’t want them to feel like I was a supermom. I was simply creating the life I wanted with little resources.

To a certain degree, we all desire to create a life we want, but talk ourselves out of it. Perhaps we feel overwhelmed, less than, or unworthy.

For some, the pain of broken relationships keeps us stagnant; our bank accounts are empty or in the red; kids need too much attention, or we are facing a health crisis. We cycle through poor relationships, stay in bed instead of moving our bodies, drink too much, and eat badly. These things make us feel unworthy; we compare ourselves and make excuses.

However, while we still have breath, we still have purpose. Why not confront our minds and accomplish a few things in the process?

We must lay the foundation for a joy, love, and peace-filled life.

A couple of years ago, experienced a very painful relationship It was painful. Throughout my years of ministry, I have learned to say “no.” I have also learned to set healthy boundaries that are not stringent but loving so that my immediate family never feels like I put ministry before them. I have learned to create a home and ministry that I would want to be at so that others who desire the same feel at home. Nothing, however, prepares you for painful relationships.

For months, I agonized over the dissolution. I questioned everything I said, did, and didn’t do or say. I felt every range of emotion, but then I eventually had to change my mind. I woke up with it ever before me. I could not stop feeling it until I stopped talking about it. I had to stop thinking about it, and I needed to say the opposite of what I felt. Instead of being angry, I blessed this person aloud and prayed for them with genuine love.

Our beliefs follow a cycle.

You have a thought. It leads to a feeling, which leads to a decision.

For example, you may have woken up with a memory of a comment someone made which angered you. You felt the anger again, which led to you snapping at your husband. Thus, a strained marriage.

Do you think it's possible to change this?

Scripture gives an emphatic, yes!

I believe science has proven Paul correct: “ Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8.

Jo Hargreaves from The Faith Filled Therapist says, “If you focus on what is right and pure, you bypass distractions. This activates the brain’s selective attention system, reducing the strain on the prefrontal cortex and conserving mental energy. Intentional thinking creates space for what truly matters, leaving us productive and at peace. Ruminating on ‘what is lovely and admirable’ rewires activity in the amygdala, which is responsible for fear and stress. This lowers cortisol levels, promoting emotional regulation and balance. Scripture’s call to think on praiseworthy things aligns perfectly with neuroscience’s findings on reducing anxiety. Focusing on good and praiseworthy thoughts strengthens neural pathways associated with gratitude and optimism, particularly in the anterior cingulate cortex. As science shows, intentional positivity helps us become more resilient, mirroring the transformation described in Philippians 4:8 When replacing worry and negativity with God’s promises, we engage the neuroplasticity of the brain- it’s ability to form new, healthier pathways. This helps us break cycles of fear and rumination, renewing our minds (Romans 12:2) and promoting long-term mental peace."

Over the next few posts, I will share a step-by-step guide (thanks to Dr. Eddie Wadsworth) to help you confront some beliefs holding you back from accomplishing your goals. I will also show you how to evaluate areas that need attention so that you don’t get overwhelmed and set a plan to change your mind and see results.