Get Your Mind Right || Get Your Life In Shape Mentally || FLC Bible Study Recap & Replay

You know when you are mentally on point and mentally off. When your mind isn't operating the way it should, it hinders your ability to advance in the things you are suppose to be growing in. In this blog, we are going to take what we discussed with being Fit For The Call Mentally and discuss what it practically looks like to get our mind right in all 7 areas we discussed so we can be in shape mentally.

For the bible study replay this blog is derived from, see the embedded video at the end of this article.

Mindset

“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:12-13 ESV

This scripture is often quoted and recited but how often is it actually lived out? We can have the knowledge that we have the ability to do all things through Christ but when the rubber meets the road, can we actually ride out that faith in real time?

It is important that you evaluate and address what makes you think and believe you can’t do it do what He is strengthening you to do. Knowing that as a believer He is with you and strengthening you, determine what is holding you back in the full belief that this scripture draws us to agree with?

Notice what He is not strengthening you to do. Only the things Jesus is strengthening you to do will you be actually able to fully do. Pursuing things that you have not been strengthened by Christ to do leads to frustration, discouragement, and disappointment. As a result, your mindset gets wrecked and you will question our ability to do other things based off the things you were not suppose to be doing in the first place.

So lets get practical! How do you get your mind right when it comes to your mindset?

1. Only do what Christ is strengthening you to do. Evaluate your pursuits and ask the Lord to reveal to you what you need to stop doing and going after.
2. Change your language. Stop using limited language such as "I can't", "I won't", "I will never" and "Things will never" for the things you know God is strengthening you to do but are having a hard time having the right mindset to be able to accomplish it. Embrace your start or being in process. Change your language to "I can", "I will", and "Things will". The exact phrases may differ for you but ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the limited language you are using and ask Him to help you change you language so your mindset can shift into agreement with what the Lord is strengthening you to do.
3. Get the right perspective. Where are you? Identify if you are starting, at the beginning phases, still learning and growing in the process, or near completion of the current assignment you are pursuing. We tend to end up developing the wrong mindset about what we can do because we have the wrong perspective about where we are. Many times that comes out of a habit of comparing ourselves to others, not considering where they are in their own process.

Expectation

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 ESV

We get distracted and delayed when we don’t realize the truth of this scripture for our own lives. Ask yourself what causes you to forget that all things work?

Ask yourself what causes you to forget that all things work? Missing the revelation that all things work, even in hard times, will cause you to develop wrong expectations. You begin to doubt things will ever work for you. You start accepting a false reality that you are or will be ruined or never come out of what you are facing or experiencing. 

Notice the requirements for all things to work.

1. First, all things work for those who love God. Do you have a relationship with Him? Love is an action word. "If you love Me, you will obey My commands…" Are you obeying His instructions? If so, then yes, you can hold on to this promise. If not, this promise is not a guarantee for you unless or until you come into right alignment, agreement, and relationship with Him. 
2. Second, are you called according to His purpose. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and given your life to Him, you are! 

Here is how to practically get your mind right when it comes to your expectations. 

1. If you don't love or know Jesus, get in alignment! Receive Him and His offer of salvation and live for Him by obeying His commands and instructions.
2. Pray and ask God for direction when things are not going the way you think they should. When things don't go your way and you find yourself frustrated, see that a warning light or sign indicating to you that your expectations are off.
3. Stop and evaluate how your circumstance or what you are experiencing can still work, or is working, for and on you. Even if a situation isn't working for you in the way you expected it to, God is still using it to work on you when it comes to your character, growth, and development.

Mental Focus

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5 ESV

What has your focus? Things of the flesh are distractions that hinder us in our pursuit and fulfillment of the things we are called to be and do. Things of the Spirit bring peace and fulfillment because they align with our purpose and calling.

What is your mind fixed on? There lies your focus. Is your focus on lack, what you don't have, things that you desire, what brings you happiness, or what is temporary? Fix your minds on Jesus. Anything else will lead you to distraction, delay, and derailment.

Don't lose your focus. Focus requires intentionality. You are not automatically going to be focused. You have to choose to be.

Practically, start here to get your mind right when it comes to your focus:

1. Plan your time. What is your focus time for the various of your life that requires your attention? Even plan your time for enjoyment! Ask and be led by the Holy Spirit in planning and protecting your time so you don't lose your focus and mentally start focusing on things of the flesh.
2. Set boundaries that keeps you living according to the Spirit. Know your limits and grow in discernment to know what you can and cannot engage in. This can be seen in the following:
1. What you watch.
2. What you listen to.
3. Where you go.
4. Who you hang with.
5. What you do.

Mental Exercise

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV

Often we let thoughts linger in our mind instead of bringing them into captivity. We allow imaginations to form in your mind and let them go unaddressed when instead we should be casting them down. 

If you don’t bring the high things into captivity, they will hold your mind captive. We are not instructed to just put up with the thoughts, imaginations, and ideas that comes to our minds. 

Casting down and bringing into captivity is a daily mental exercise. When we don't, we get out of shape mentally and begin dealing with the consequences of not engaging in mental exercise. Our mind is therefore not right and we lack the ability to have mental focus, the right expectations, or the right mindset.

Practical ways to get your mind right through mental exercise includes the following.

1. Journal: Process your true feelings and get to the truth. Stop holding it all in your head expecting to be able to manage it all. 
2. When truth is revealed, lean into truth instead of your emotions that wants to hold onto the lie. Honor your emotions and feelings but know that they will lie to you. Take them before the Lord, gain the right perspective, and move forward in the revelation you received.
3. Address the root: Why do I feel or am I thinking that? How did this high thing or thought come to mind?
4. Act: Cast down the imaginations (such as failure, defeat, and destruction) and bring into captivity the things that need to come into the reality of what Christ has to say about it.

Mental Training

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV

You have to train your mind what to think. Left to itself, it finds it easier to think on the things that are going wrong, not right, or negative. This is not a call to suppression or ignoring reality. It is a command to see things, even the difficult situations, in the right perspective.

To think on these things requires intentionality as well. It's a decision. It's a choice. We all have thoughts that come to our mind that we have to address and deal with but how long you dwell in the negativity or in the lies is on you. That why mental exercise is important. Once you cast it down, you can bring thoughts into captivity through mental training. You choose what you think about. You decide which lens you will view your circumstances and situations from.

Get your mind right through mental training by engaging in these practical tips.

1. Say out loud what is true in the moment. In your head, you may find it difficult to actually get your mind to shift into thinking on the things that are pure, holy, righteous, lovely, true, and praiseworthy. 
2. Intentionally make time for reflection and gratitude. This give you the space to actively engage in getting your mind right and getting the right perspective. The more proactive you are in this, the less reactive you have to be, trying to get yourself out of mental pits.
3. Recite daily affirmations. This is a strategy that also helps you to think on the things this scripture commands. This act of mental training works great with affirmations developed based off scripture. 
4. Review & remember prophesies and promises spoken to you by God. The more you remind yourself of these things, the more you mind think on the things that it should.

Mental Form

“A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,” Proverbs 24:5 ESV

You know you have actually obtained knowledge through application. Knowledge takes practice and the level of wisdom one has obtained is revealed through testing. Wisdom and knowledge go together. Most of us have heard the phrase that "knowledge is power". You have to be wise enough to use knowledge properly, which is mental form, to obtain results.

Get your mind right as it relates to mental form by applying these practical tips to your life.

1. Grow in confidence by intentionally growing in competence.
   1. Spiritually, know what the Bible says and apply it in its proper form to your life. The knowledge of the word of God gives you might, but the application reveals your level of wisdom because it manifests the confidence and strength you have in the midst of difficult situations.
   2. Naturally, master the knowledge associated with what you are called to do. Be a life long learner. As you master the skills and knowledge related to what you are called to do, you are able to show up more confidently in the roles and responsibilities assigned to you by gOD.
2. Act on knowledge as immediately as possible. That's wisdom. Delay can lead to you operating in outdated information. Yesterday's knowledge is not always applicable to today's needs or demands. 

Mental Transformation 

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2 ESV

Renewing your mind is the essence of getting your mind right! Discern what the will of God is as it relates to your calling. The world will lead you to desire what it wants you to do or tell you that God's will for you is something that it is not. People will try to place their will on you or say that God's will for you is something that actually benefits them when it may not be.

If your mind is not being continually transformed, you will not be able to discern what God's will is when you are tested and face trials in this life. Whether or not your mind has been renewed is revealed when you are tested.

To conform to this world isn't that hard but being transformed takes work and intentionality. To conform is to comply with or behave in socially acceptable way but transformation requires dramatic change. Your mind being renewed and transformed does not happen on its own.

Here are some ways you can get your mind right in getting your mind transformed.

1. Be convinced of the truth, choose truth over the lie, and walk in truth. Resist knowing the truth and still choosing the lie because of your emotions, feelings, bent towards selfishness, issues with entitlement, or whatever causes you to walk worldly.

1. Stop long enough and get in His presence. Make His presence a priority daily. This is the place and space your mind must primarily be transformed. Whether it is through prayer, reading your bible, or worshipping, intimacy with God should produce a transformed mind and heart. 
2. Act and do what is good. Don't just know what you should do. Do it! The more you do, the more this reveals that you are convinced of the truth and that your mind is continuing to be renewed. 

Get You Mind Right

Discern and determine by the Spirit what do you need to do to get your mind right? Identify which of the 7 needs your most attention practically in this season? Share your thoughts, comments, and/or responses below.

Get Your Mind Right FLC Bible Study Replay