“Leveraging Life’s Obstacles”
Hello, writer! I hope you had a great week and gave yourself space and permission to grow your curiosity! This week, we’re going to take a look at developing a growth mindset. You see, oftentimes when we face an unexpected or seemingly insurmountable obstacle, we simply stop moving forward, assuming that we need some kind of intervention. But here’s the beautiful thing…
We have been made in the image of our Creator God, and as we lean into Him, instead of waiting for rescue, we can begin to see obstacles as opportunities to grow and as indicators of where to develop our skill set next.
But before we dive in, let’s take a look at some others who leveraged obstacles as opportunities…
Growth Mindset in History
Winston Churchill is a great example of a man who embraced obstacles as opportunities. Churchill’s career in Parliament started off strong as he switched from the Conservative to Liberal party and quickly made many reforms in the British prisons and employment practices. But when he was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty in WWI, his attack on Turkey ended in an abysmal failure with 250,000 casualties. He quickly resigned, and as the Liberal party began to fracture, Churchill cut his losses and joined the Conservative party once more, making strong strides forward by returning the British gold standard, ending a tumultuous labor strike, and more. But, when the Conservative government was defeated, Churchill was ousted from the government fully as a right-wing extremist.
For years, Churchill watched from the sidelines. Refusing discouragement and idleness, Churchill began painting to sharpen his observation and memory by taking up painting as he continued to monitor the political developments in Europe and the Western world. When WWII arose, and Churchill was suddenly appointed Prime Minister, his diligence enabled him to step in with full confidence into his pivotal role in the second World War. A role that rewrote history forever.
It’s often the same with us, writer. Developing a growth mindset is about learning to remain engaged and to keep moving forward in the face of apparent failure, actively preparing for the destiny God has for us, no matter what circumstances might look like at the moment.
Growth Mindset in the Bible
David is another great example of a man with a growth mindset. When he saw Goliath intimidating the armies of Israel, David did not see an insurmountable obstacle. David saw an opportunity for God to gain glory among the nations. David willingly attacked Goliath with full confidence that God Himself would fight on his behalf, because Goliath had dared to blaspheme the living God.
You see, writer, here’s the beautiful thing. The foundation of a true growth mindset is based on an understanding of who God is, what He’s said, and what He’s called us to do. When we know our Eternal, Invincible King is the one who’s equipped us, we can approach life’s difficulties with confidence, like David, knowing that He who called us will be faithful to see us through.
Growth Mindset in Life
I embraced a growth mindset the day I went to a church and met a young man who deeply troubled me. He was young, bright, dedicated, and very precocious, but I could sense a deep anger and character issues running like faults beneath the surface. Instead of rejecting him, running away, or running to leadership with a bad report, my husband and I committed to pray earnestly for him. In a few short months as we prayed, this young man’s edges mellowed, and he became a vibrant part of the community often seeking counsel from those older than him. Now, his work literally impacts lives across states and cities.
Growth Mindset in Your Life
You see, writer, sometimes the very thing we want to run from is the thing God has called us to, because He knows that it is the very thing that will build up the character we’ll need to go where He’s leading. He knows that order to overcome certain obstacles, we will need to lean in greater reliance on Him. Not only does this bring Him glory, but it allows us to know Him in a deeper way than we ever have before. Let me show you…
- And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6
- …but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. – Isaiah 40:31
- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. – Proverbs 9:10
- With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes. – Psalm 60:12
- For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. – Psalm 18:29
- No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. – Romans 8:37
Developing a growth mindset is really about increasing our confidence in our King and His call on our life. It’s about knowing Him personally as the faithful and true God, who will never fail us and who holds his word above His name. If only we don’t give up. Because here’s the thing…
We will always have an opportunity or reason to give up and run away. Just like Churchill could have run from a shameful and costly military defeat and political ostracization. Just like David could have fled from Goliath. Just like I could have shied away from the troubled youth. After all, in every instance people who seemed to have much more experience had done the same. But here’s the beautiful thing…
Our God doesn’t make mistakes. His call for you to write is no mistake either. But He places His treasure in jars of clay to show that the surpassing greatness of what will be accomplished comes from Him. And here’s the other wonderful thing. When we choose to take Him at His word and tackle life’s challenges with faith in His strength and wisdom to overcome, that Word has the opportunity to become a living word in us and through us. The Word becomes flesh. Just like Churchill’s faith became a light to the nation in a time of great darkness. Just like David’s living faith glorified God and restored the faith and courage of Israel. Just like my own work to co-labor in prayer with the Lord ignited His flame in the heart of a youth now impacting thousands.
Where to Start with a Growth Mindset
So are you ready to begin developing a growth mindset? Here are some things to get you started:
- Express Gratitude. Gratitude is one of the best ways to begin developing a growth mindset. When we begin to give thanks in all things, we begin to look for and recognize where God is at work, even in the midst of adverse circumstances. And as we begin to proactively seek God’s movement and to thank Him for it, we begin to see His creative opportunities wherever we go.
- Know Your Call. Another important aspect of developing a growth mindset is to know your call. When you know for the Lord’s call on your life, it’s that much easier to stand. Write down the Lord’s call to you as a writer and review it and pray over it daily. If your call feels unclear, prayerfully seek Him for clarity and wisdom. Write down what comes to mind and ask Him to confirm His word to you with scripture.
- Know Your God. Developing a growth mindset begins with knowing who God is and His faithfulness to His word. Spend some time each day meditating on an attribute of God’s character. Memorize scriptures of who He is and of His promises. The more we hide His word and understanding of His love in our hearts, the more we will find that when obstacles arise, our faith in Him and His word will rise up in answer.
- Decide Making an Impact is a Non-Option. When we begin to understand who God is, who God is in us and through us, we can begin to see that, as long as we persist with Him, failure is a non-option, simply because there is no failure in God. Our God is the God who works even our greatest failures together for our good and can use a Bathsheba to birth a Solomon. Because here’s the thing…
We will absolutely make mistakes and have failures and unexpected troubles. However, like Churchill, David, or myself, no obstacle of failure should be counted as final. Because our God is the God who works all things together for our good and for His glory. When we know this, it frees us to see beyond our current predicament to the possibilities and potential of He is working out at that very moment. Knowing our God, lifts our gaze off our “failures” and onto our victorious King. Knowing our God, also give us the grit and determination to seek out answers when they are not obvious, leaning more deeply into Him is the source of all wisdom.
Just like Churchill refused to disengage when ousted from politics. Just like David saw God’s victory as Goliath boasted. Just like I recognized the young man’s potential and not just his troubles. Because here’s the final thought: developing a growth mindset helps us develop a clearer vision of God and His Kingdom. And as that vision begins to unfold in us, it shines a light for others see clearly, too.
So, I encourage you today, writer—if there is an obstacle that’s seemed to rear its ugly head and block your writing goals—press into the Lord for wisdom to see where He is at work. To see how He might be leveraging those obstacles to grow you. You will never know how that clarity will make His word come alive in and through you, too.
#growthmindset #faith #courage #keepgoing #EveryWriterWriting
