How do you see your world? If you could miraculously change it, would you? In this blog series, I’ll show you how to partner with God to transform anything that is keeping you from living the abundant “bigger-than-you” life you were created to live. It’s not rocket science, but it is supernatural!
In part 1, I’ll give you some things to begin to consider. Why do I think the way I do? How is my limited thinking framing my world? Dive in, my friend, to discover how your current level of thinking is holding you back.
Transformation 101 – Part 1: Is the World Your Oyster?
The reality is that whether you believe the world is your oyster or it’s dog-eat-dog is largely due to how you grew up, how you interpreted your various life experiences, and the influences that have shaped your identity.
After spending over 25 years helping emerging and established leaders and organizations position their lives and organizations for maximum impact, I can wholeheartedly endorse the biblical principle of mind renewal, i.e. changing the way you think, as the starting point for all lasting transformation. If you ask me, the old adage “you are what you eat” would really be more accurate if it were “you are what you think.”
Each of us, whether we are aware of it or not, possesses a worldview or paradigm as it’s sometimes called, which defines how we believe the world around us works. Things like how much money we make, what careers we pursue, the kind of person we want to be, what we expect in a spouse, our physical fitness level, and many other basic life attributes are largely defined by our worldview.
If you ever saw the movie Trading Places with Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, about the inner city criminal who trades identities with a rich business executive, you’ll know exactly what I’m saying. The reality is that whether you believe the world is your oyster or it’s dog-eat-dog is largely due to how you grew up, how you interpreted your various life experiences, and the influences that have shaped your identity. Beliefs were formed and reality was interpreted based on the judgments and meanings we assigned to various life circumstances and events.
Much like a computer, we were programmed to believe and operate based on the input received.
Much like a computer, we were programmed to believe and operate based on the input received. Once something was accepted by our minds as “true,” it became a part of the framework for our lives, guiding our decisions, performance, and life view.
Houston, We Have a Problem
The problem with all of this is that we didn’t consciously decide to believe most of the limitations we have adopted about ourselves and our lives. The majority of our worldview was formed unconsciously—over time as we experienced life. We, in a sense, inherited it from those around us—our culture, norms, and limited perspectives.
However, most people never really consider all of this. It never occurs to them to think about what they are thinking about or to ask “why do I think the way I do?” They, by default, just accept their reality as the truth. It becomes just the way things are, and as a result, what they believe gets reinforced as they view and interpret things through the lens of their worldview. Even if they acknowledge that there are various issues in their lives, they never connect the dots to realize that their potential is being limited by their thinking.
But there is hope.
I don’t believe in coincidences. I choose to believe in divine providence and intervention, and as a result, I regularly experience it. This means from my perspective that it’s not by chance that you are reading this article right now.
Your footsteps were ordered to bring you across this information because God is trying to get your attention. There’s something He’s trying to tell you about your life or circumstances or relationships or career, and His message begins with the words “There’s more…”
So, I encourage you to take a few minutes over the next 7 days to specifically step outside of yourself and become aware of your awareness. In other words, think about what you are thinking about and observe your thoughts rather than just blindly thinking them. Begin to develop an awareness of your inner world. Also, in your prayer and journal time, ask God to speak to you about the phrase “There’s more…” Allow him to give you insight into what that means for you personally.
In Part Two of this series, I’ll show you how “tuning in to your inner world” and hearing God’s voice are keys that will open the door to supernaturally transforming anything. Watch for my email!
Peace and love – Schlyce