MINDSET SHIFT: The Best is Yet to Come

Where do I even start? 2024 has already begun as quite a transformative and eye-opening year. Honestly, I didn’t plan to be away from the blog and social media for the past three weeks – it sort of just happened. From the first day of the year, my church embarked on a 21-day journey of prayer and fasting. This year is themed as our year of Manifestation, and since the moment the word popped on the screen, I’ve had such great expectations and hopes for my today and tomorrow! 

For me, two words that describe the last two months are MINDSET SHIFT. I’m convinced that God has done a marvelous work in my life, and even greater than I desired. Best of all, He did so much inner transformation that has brought about outer change! God’s greatest works are done in oblivion and solitude – just think of the many years Jesus spent growing in wisdom and stature without anyone’s recorded knowledge before unleashing His world-changing ministry!

If you’re going to change the world, it’s imperative to get comfortable in the seasons of solitude and a lifestyle of consecration!

I must add that my recent mindset shift has cost me my old habits. I’ve realized that the things I’ve done in years prior won’t allow me to become who God called me to be. In fact, they’d prevent me from manifesting my full potential and carrying out great exploits. I’ve noticed a great error in the Body of Christ and in many people individually. Frequently, we speak about more success than we actually acquire. What I mean by this is we name it and claim it! We pray and fast on it! We utilize our daily affirmations and journaling. It is as though merely speaking a thing will make it come into existence, but this is, in fact, a myth. 

Now, don’t get me wrong here. Life and death are in the power of our tongue, and God has given us the power to call a thing and make it so. But how effective is it to continually call a thing something, yet never put your hands to the plow and work for the very thing you’re calling forth? 

Bishop T.D. Jakes said such a powerful statement in an interview with Pastor Steven Furtick regarding his book, Soar, “Consider that God never made a table, chair, pencils to write, or paper to write upon. God Almighty never created a box for storage nor a crate for shipping. Did He not know that we would need them? Of course, the God of the Universe knew. Yet he never once stooped down to make any of the items we would need daily to survive. Instead, he gave us trees because he knew that trees if used properly, would provide us raw resources to imagine and create specific objects we would need. Are you using all the resources God has placed in your life and dropped in your lap?” 

There’s so much that God has already given us access to. We have abundance at our fingertips, but what are we doing with it? Here’s a question for your reflection: What are you doing with what God put in your hands right now? 

A scripture that I’ve begun to truly stand on in life, especially during my current season, is, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people.” – Colossians 3:23 GNT

I can simply reflect on how often I mismanaged a moment because I wasn’t feeling it, or perhaps I felt unnoticed for my efforts. But this scripture says WHATEVER YOU DO. What is your whatever? Maybe it’s that job you’re ready to leave, serving at your church, or taking care of your kids – whatever it is, do it unto the Lord!

Pleasing God in the whatever can become particularly hard when you simply hate the whatever. God, how can I do this unto you if I hate it? How can I honor you when this person is being difficult? How can I honor you if I’m hurt or offended by this thing that happened? I’m not saying that it will be easy to honor the Lord in your day-to-day, but I am saying that it will definitely be worth it! A book that has truly shifted my perspective on life and the mundane, sometimes irritating tasks in life is “Living a Life You Love,” by Joyce Meyer. In this book, she covers interesting and practical topics, many of which challenge me daily. 

A powerful quote Joyce Meyer says in the book is, “Loving your life isn’t something that happens by accident. It is a result of healthy, biblical choices you make on a daily basis.”

Here’s a simple truth – You have more power over your life than you think! Often, we think our life is out of our control, and we’re simply just living as it comes. But this isn’t true. The power you have over your life comes from your mindset towards it. Suppose you start every day with your mind set on loving others well, honoring God, and achieving your God-given destiny. In that case, I promise, little by little, that your gloomy days will soon be filled with rays of sunshine. Your approach to life depends on your attitude towards the various aspects that fill your day. And only you have the power to control it. Now that, my friend, has been a hard truth for me to grapple with. 

I’ve talked about this quite a bit on the blog, but it’s been insanely hard to face that my life is my responsibility. As much as I believe I’m grown (AND IS!), it’s both a mystery and a wonder to me how I’m suddenly responsible for my own life. Today, I have the power to make decisions that shape my future. There are so many moving parts of my new-found adulthood, like money management, relational building and intelligence, spiritual growth, career development, and so on. This transition is so much more complicated than I could’ve expected or initially believed I was prepared for – and just to think, imagine me doing all of this without God? Tuh, I could never! I’m honestly holding onto the hymn of His garment at this very moment.

But, I’m really saying all of this to hopefully give you a wake-up call, too – Your Success is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! Yes, you can name it and claim it. Of course, you can give the loudest Amen during a prophetic declaration and even continue to hold onto the looming prophetic words and promises God has given you. However, there’s work to be done. And unfortunately, nobody else can do that work for you. It’s your responsibility, and even more important is this – Generations unborn depend on you to fulfill your purpose to ensure they have the power, proper foundation, and ability to achieve theirs. 

A quote my Pastor often says is, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.” – Isaac Newton

Will you be the shoulders that future generations can stand on? This concept can be exceptionally difficult to wrap your head around, especially if you haven’t had any shoulders to stand on yourself. Indeed, life isn’t fair because we all have different starting points. But today, I want you to know that your background doesn’t need to define you. Although you cannot help your beginning, you still can create a beautiful ending. 

Recently, I came across a powerful quote, “Though you cannot go back and make a brand-new start, my friend, You can start now, and make a brand-new end.” 

Perhaps your year has already gotten off to a rocky start; you may have already suffered significant losses and blows. Your beginning doesn’t determine your end. You can design a beautiful tomorrow starting today. The choice is up to you!

As you plow forward into greatness, I want to remind you to remain in perfect peace, knowing that God holds the future. As hard as it is to admit, I’ve wasted many days worrying about a future or particular matter that was way bigger than myself. 

Here’s a scripture for when worry rears its head:

“So, which one of you by worrying could add anything to your life? And why would you worry about your clothing? Look at all the beautiful flowers of the field. They don’t work or toil, and yet not even Solomon in all his splendor was robed in beauty like one of these! So if God has clothed the meadow with hay, which is here for such a short time and then dried up and burned, won’t He provide for you the clothes you need—you of little faith? So then, forsake your worries! Why would you say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For that is what the unbelievers chase after. Doesn’t your Heavenly Father already know the things your bodies require? So above all, constantly seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly. Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time. Tomorrow will take care of itself.“ – Matthew 6:27-34 TPT

Worry is rooted in fear – fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of the future – just FEAR. But God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear, but of Love, Power, and a SOUND MIND! I pray that God will crown your mind with perfect peace. May fear not find residence in your heart, instead, may your soul become a resting place for only the Holy Spirit to dwell because perfect fulfillment is in Him alone. 

It’s worth adding here that sometimes, we’re afraid of the future because of our misguided understanding of success. I strongly believe that success isn’t about what you get but who you are. Success isn’t about having the perfect body, loads of money, a nice car, a #relationshipgoals marriage, and a big house. Success has nothing to do with worldly possessions. In fact, to have all these things yet live a life without God is the definition of failure. I believe that God would define success as Faithfulness to Him and His Word, Consecration for His Use, and Love for Him, Yourself, and Others. If you can do these three things, your success is guaranteed! 

2024 is the year for Believers to shine their light in every aspect and industry of the world! But we can only do this when we forsake the darkness, commit to our Kingdom responsibility, and live according to our purpose! Are you ready for your light to shine? Insecurity, doubt, or persecution can no longer prevent your light from shining in all its glory. It’s your time to SHINE! 

So, I have three questions for you:

1. What assignment has God given you to do right now? 

2. What practical ways can you make progress on your God-given assignment daily?

3. Who’s holding you accountable for letting your light shine through your gifts, talents, and abilities?

Remember, it’s up to you today to pave the way for a better tomorrow! The Best is Yet to Come!