When God first stirred my heart toward becoming a pastor, I had a hard time accepting it. My dreams were to play baseball and practice law, not preach! Just the thought of standing before a congregation filled me with dread.
The first time I spoke publicly was at my university’s vespers service. It was only a ten-minute message, but I felt sick the entire week leading up to it. I wanted to obey God, but it was hard!
I didn’t realize then that my struggle wasn’t external—it was internal. It wasn’t about circumstances; it was about my mindset.
Paul highlights this in Romans 8:5-6: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
The Greek word for “mindset” here is phroneo, which refers to an attitude formed within us. Many of our greatest struggles stem not from external challenges but from an inward battle—our minds fixated on the flesh rather than the Spirit.
The good news is we can change our mindset. Romans 12:2 tells us: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
So how do we renew our minds and transform struggles into blessings?
First, we choose to please God, even when it’s hard. Paul writes in Romans 8:7-8, “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.”
To move from struggle to blessing, we must set our minds on the things of the Spirit, choosing obedience, even when it feels uncomfortable. Faithful choices lead to spiritual breakthroughs.
Then, we must trust God to provide. 1 Corinthians 1:30 reminds us, “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” When we surrender to God’s way, He supplies everything we need to walk in His way.
Last, we must step into God’s purpose with confidence. Romans 8:28 says: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” When we fix our minds on the Spirit, God transforms our trials into testimonies and our hardships into holy callings.
What struggle are you facing today, friend? Could it be that what you need is not a new set of circumstances, but a new mindset? Surrender your thoughts to the Spirit and step into the blessing God has prepared for you!
