Sometimes when I'm reading God's word, I come across a verse that impresses itself into my mind. As I break the verse down and ponder it throughout the day, I find that the Lord often chooses to use those specific verses to speak truth into my life.
On one such occasion, as I was reading my daily devotional in "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young, I was impressed upon to memorize the verse, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (Phillippians 4:8). As I went about my daily activities, the first part of that verse hung in my mind -
"Finally brothers, whatsoever is true..."
That evening, as I pushed stir fry around in the pan on the stove, I expressed to my husband some of the things that had been clouding my mind lately. As he spoke encouragement to me, I suddenly found his words pinching at my heart. He said, "Bethany, sometimes you are the biggest hindrance to yourself."
I realize he was speaking of my lack of confidence in certain areas of my life. As I pondered the reality of that statement, it occurred to me that it is my mentality that causes me to be a hindrance to myself. You've heard the notable quote, "As a man thinks, so he is." A man, in reality, may have the talent to be an opera singer, but if in his mind he does not believe he has a very beautiful voice, he is likely to not even take lessons.
A person's mentality shapes and translates everything that he sees and hears. I asked of the Lord, "How does one change their mentality?" I wouldn't know how to change my mentality if I tried, for I have never seen into another person's mind in order to know what another mentality would look like.
Lord, help me.
Finally brothers, whatsoever is TRUE...
True...the truth. What is the truth? Is it the truth that I am unlovable? No. So what is the truth? The truth is that I am a princess in the kingdom of the Almighty Jehovah, co-inheritor of his kingdom with many brothers and sisters in Christ. That is what the truth is.
If you want to change your mentality, it begins with recognizing and changing what you believe. If I choose to believe the truth that I am beloved of God, then I have the confidence to be who he created me to be. If I chose to believe a lie, that I am a pauper, a peasant - then I would go about my days without a thought to the kingdom. But if I knew that I was a princess, beloved of the king, in line to inherit all that is his, I would live an entirely different life. A life intended for me because of who I am.
The way to change your mentality is to begin by choosing to believe the truth.
