Do We Have a Growth Mindset?

Adaptability is defined as “the capacity to be modified for a new use or purpose”.

This reminds me of a book I recently read to the children during our “Saturday Storytelling Sessions” outreach – entitled, “The girl who never made mistakes”. If you analyse the main character, she was only able to sustain this because she never did anything different! She stuck to her daily routine, she did not try anything new or difficult, every day was the same. She was afraid of losing that title. No one even knew her name! “The girl who never made mistakes” became her identity.

We as Christians have a new identity in Christ. We are to look to Jesus as the template for how we should live our lives. I would imagine that Jesus had to be very adaptable in His ministry. When interacting with people who had free will, narratives would constantly be changing, messy even. Jesus could do it, He could adapt because He was constantly communicating with God. I liken it to having His radio receiver always on, connected to the right signal and receiving live feeds from heaven, talking, listening, and obeying. We can do likewise! Perhaps we first need some repairs, move higher or lengthen the antenna to get better reception, or perhaps we are tuned in to a completely different channel! We know that God desires to speak to us (Hosea 2:14 [NLT]), so let’s tap into God’s valuable resource for direction, discernment, and demonstration.

As we re-adjust our frequencies and anchor our identity in Christ, are we then available? Do we know what our priorities are? Do we remember who we are to glorify and please? Are we stuck in a “fixed mindset”? Or can we humble ourselves before God, ask for a renewing of our mind to receive a “growth mindset”? (refer to title image).

“Growth Mindset” is not some mantra we say to ourselves, but it is a change of attitude and perception. When we choose to limit ourselves, we are also limiting what God does through us (Matthew 13:58). We are never too old to have a “Growth Mindset”. We just need to obey and trust Him. If not, God can still accomplish His purposes, but we will miss out on the privilege and pleasure of partnering with the Most High. Just like how God chose to use Elijah even though there were 7000 others who had not bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:18).

We may not like it when God changes our plans, but I’ve come to learn that if God was the one who changed it, then I am exactly where God wants me to be. However uncomfortable it makes me feel, I am here to learn what I need to learn, and my character will be shaped for the better (Romans 5:3-5). The more we fight it, the more we prolong the discomfort.

I urge us to change our mindsets. Be available and adaptable for God’s use, offer God your five loaves and two fishes, and watch them multiply in His marvellous hands! “We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ” – 2 Corinthians 10:5.

By Pastoral Staff Clarine Tan