7 Mindsets: Attitude of Gratitude toward God

During the months of November and December, my kids were learning about an attitude of gratitude as set forth in the Seven Mindsets curriculum at their public schools.  This is a very good subject to address especially in today's entitled culture.  And as Christians, we need to go one more step to refocus our attitude and gratitude in the right direction.

The first point is to "Treasure Yourself." The students are told to, "Create the fantastic life you want by cultivating the great things within yourself."  On the other hand, Scripture  tells us to "delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart."  Students are also told to recognize that they are a treasure.  This is true because of Psalm 119 where the psalmist explains how wonderfully we are made by God.  Letting this amazing treasure shine should not be about living an extraordinary life but about glorifying God in Heaven when others see your life according to Mathew 5:16.

Second, it is better to be more grateful than giving our attention to the negatives in life.  Whichever you select as your focus will multiply.  Philippians 4:8 gives an excellent list of suggestions for our focus: whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.

Third, saying, "Thank you," is powerful.  Seven Mindsets says that using those two words makes you and the other person feel good.  Even more happens when we tell God, "Thank you."  In Luke 17, all ten lepers were physically healed.  Only one had a spiritual healing when he returned to Jesus and praised Him and thanked Him.

Finally, elevating your perspective will transform your attitude when you face any situation whether positive or negative.  The Apostle Paul lists his struggles in 2 Corinthians 11, and yet he was also able to write an entire letter of joy to the Philippians from his jail cell.  The Apostle James tells us to consider us to consider it joy to have trials because of the positive things it produces.

Being grateful is extremely important, and when we keep our focus clearly set on God above and in our hearts, then our perspective of circumstances changes to allow us to be joyful and even thankful for many circumstances.

7 Mindsets: Everything is Possible (Dream Big) by focusing on God

From The 7 Mindsets - rewritten to focus on ultimate joy in God. 

Mindset #1 – Everything is Possible

-          Envision a wonderful life

-          Expect greatness

-          Make your dreams come true

Dream Big

“Raising the expectations you have for your life.”

“When you do this, your future becomes infinitely bigger and brighter.”

Mindset #1 tells us that everything is possible and to dream big.  Then your future becomes bigger and brighter. 

To make this ultimately true based on our God design, we first need to focus on who is our future.  “For God alone my soul waits in silence and quietly submits to Him, for my hope is from Him,” Psalm 62:5 If we will first wait and submit to God, then Philippians 4:13 can be true: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Please remember that when Paul wrote these words, he was sitting jail writing a letter about joy!

In order to truly focus, the first part of Matthew 6:33 and Psalm 37:4 must be our goal: “Seek first the kingdom of God,” and “Delight yourself in the Lord.”  When we follow these commands, the promise in the second half will ultimately come true: “All these things will be added to you,” and “He will give you the desires of your heart.” 

When our focus is right on God, then 1 Peter 4:2 is possible which tells us to “live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” Following God’s will brings us the hope and joy of Proverbs 10:28 which says it this way: “The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.”  When we follow God’s will for our lives and when we want what He wants for us, the ultimate end result will be our joy as we bring God joy.  Everything else will perish. 

Jeremiah 29:11 and Proverbs 23:18 are then set in the correct context which contrasts what the world will think success should be or look like.  According to Jeremiah 29:11, God has great plans for us already; and the writer of Proverbs agrees that these is a great future and a hope already. 

Remember that even from jail, Paul desired Isaiah 26:8 that God’s name would be made great because Paul had the hope of the righteous and the joy along with it spoken of in Proverbs 10:28. 

What this means for Mindset #1 and Dreaming Big is that our dreams must first be focused on God.  He already has a great future in mind for us that really is possible when we want what He wants for us.  He designed and made us with a plan in mind.  Our fullest joy comes when we agree to that plan.