A few days ago, I happened across a motivational speaker who purported seven important mindsets that, if applied, would result in a successful life. The title was a great attention-getter, and, of course, it piqued my curiosity. Just follow these seven simple steps and enjoy a more successful life.
OK…tell me more.
It wasn’t a long presentation, but as I listened to the speaker go through the bullet points, I kept thinking to myself. Wow, that’s interesting. These sound just like basic life principles taken from God’s Word. A biblical truth that, when applied, will result in a good outcome.
My moment of clarity was not a new phenomenon for me. It has become an increasingly frequent experience highlighting how God’s presence, wisdom, and Truth permeate this world, whether people recognize it as such or not. I’ve always found it a bit amusing that individuals will claim to have discovered some amazing solution to a life problem without seemingly being aware of having “discovered” a foundational Truth set in place by God. A godly principle, when applied, will always produce a good outcome, regardless of whether or not God is appropriately cited.
To that end, I thought it would be interesting to put together a list of essential mindsets or principles (of God) that, if applied, will produce benefits such as peace, contentment, joy, and relational satisfaction in this life, plus the added bonus of never-ending connection with our Creator God.
Essential Biblical Principles That Will Transform Your Life, Relationships, and Future
(Properly cited to the original author and source of all Truth.)
- Pick your team—the King of Glory or the enemy of your soul. By default, we are born into the kingdom of darkness. Our journey into the Kingdom of God is a choice we make. We either embrace reconciliation with God through Christ or remain a servant of the enemy: life or death, blessings or cursing. We choose. (Hint: choose life, much better outcome in this world and the next.) Ephesians 2:1-3, Colossians 1:13, Acts 26:18, 2 Corinthians 4:4
- Focus on and build your relationship with God. Talk to Him (pray). Read His Word and listen to His instruction. Embrace Him as your heavenly Father and allow Him to lead, heal, and complete you. An intimate, loving, and secure relationship with God will facilitate a caring and accepting relationship with yourself and others. Hebrews 10:22, Psalm 73:28, Philippians 4:6, John 4:23-24, Galatians 4:6
- Seek to please God and let God take care of what people think of you. We tend to spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about what others think about us. We worry someone will not like us, be unhappy with us, or say unlovely things about us, which can be exhausting. When we simplify our lives and focus on building our relationship with God and following his direction, we realize that pleasing God releases us and frees us from being overextended and emotionally distraught people pleasers. Galatians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Romans 12:2, Hebrews 11:6,
- As much as possible, live at peace with everyone. Often, the determining factor in whether or not we live lives of peace or distress is our ability to take personal responsibility for how we choose to interact with people. When we recognize our inability to control others and embrace what we can control, which is our own responses, we become less likely to be overly upset by the behaviors and choices of others. So, while I can’t manage others, I can manage myself. This won’t stop other people from seeking discord and conflict, but it does allow me to choose whether or not to give up or maintain my inner sense of peace. Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14, Matthew 5:9, Colossians 3:15, 2 Corinthians 13:11
- Surround yourself with wise people. A common admonishment is to “hang out with the winners,” which is another biblical principle that, when applied, typically increases maturity and wisdom. By design, we are made to learn from and follow others. If we choose to follow and emulate wise people, we will, by design, take on their attributes. Take the time to intentionally seek out people who demonstrate qualities like integrity, faithfulness, mercy, and adherence to God’s word. Advice and input from these types of individuals offer far better outcomes than seeking wisdom from immature and unstable people. Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 11:14, James 1:5, I Corinthians 11:1
- Resolve to live an unhurried and peaceful life. Deciding to live a quiet, unhurried, and peaceful life in this current culture of hurry, stress, and overextension takes a decided and intentional shift in mindset. In the culture of quick, it is easy to get caught up in the frenetic push to do more, be more, and accomplish more. Learning to slow down and shift into a mindset that honors rest, peace, and contentment as the foundation upon which we build our lives and relationships can take time. But it is a decision that will reap a lifetime of good results: less do-ing and more be-ing. I Thessalonians 4:11-12, Isaiah 26:3, Proverbs 17:1, Hebrews 4:10,11
- Release anxiety (expectations of evil) and embrace hope (expectations of good). It is so easy to get caught up in a perpetual state of anxious anticipation. Over time, we can become experts in imagining the worst and progressively projecting bad outcomes into the future. But this isn’t the way we were designed to live. God’s word tells us that He gives us a fresh attitude every morning and that we can choose a good attitude regardless of our circumstances. When we intentionally speak good and expect good – we will get good. Remember, the vision we cast and the future we imagine become the life we will live. Proverbs 12:25, Job 3:25, Philippians 4:6, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 15:13, Psalm 42:11
- Be a good listener. Ever notice how easy it is to dominate a conversation? In our hurry to express our opinion, we often lose sight of the value of simply listening to the ideas, hurts, needs, and wisdom of others. Listening places the value of a conversation on the other person. It always allows us to gather information, make informed responses, and demonstrate a heart of compassion. God’s word reminds us to slow down and not be so anxious to speak, take offense, or become angry. James 1:19, Proverbs 18:13, Ecclesiastes 5:2, Proverbs 17:27-28
- Manage your tongue. Did any of you have a mother or grandmother who advised you to “watch your tongue?” Well, I did. My grandmother, Nan, was a wealth of knowledge and wisdom and often seemed to intuitively know when something unkind or unwise was about to slip out of my mouth. I can still remember the look and the admonishment to watch my tongue when I was upset about some perceived injustice. It was a valuable lesson that still serves me well. When we learn the value of controlling the words that come out of our mouths, we are well on the road to learning to better manage all of the parts of our lives. Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 21:33, James 3:5-6, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 4:6
- Don’t worry about tomorrow. God’s already there and will guide you through. It is so easy to be caught up in our concerns about tomorrow. But worrying about tomorrow does nothing to ease the problems of today. Let each day be enough, and when tomorrow comes around, take comfort in knowing that God is already there, preparing the way through whatever it brings. Matthew 6:34, Philippians 4:11-13, Jeremiah, 29:11
- Embrace hardships, trials, and struggles. Welcome adversity as the pathway to growth, wisdom, and strength. When we run from difficulties, we are effectively robbing ourselves of the chance to grow, mature, and learn to lean into God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness. James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5, 1 Peter 1:6-7, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
- Humble yourself, and give mercy to others. Humility is such an underrated discipline. When we allow a humble spirit to guide our interactions with ourselves and others, the quality of our relationships is transformed. Humility is the lubricant that makes the reciprocal process of giving and receiving mercy possible.2 Chronicles 7:14, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:6, Philippians 2:304
- Forgive. – Be quick to forgive yourself and others. The willingness to forgive others (and ourselves) is the portal to freedom. When we decide to forgive, we release ourselves from the pitfalls of bitterness and resentment. We are truly free when we resist the temptation to allow another person’s actions or behaviors to steal our peace. Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13, Luke 6:37, Romans 8:1, Philippians 3:13-14, Proverbs 17:9
Living a principled life will set you apart from most of the world. But choosing to implement and live a biblically principled life brings the promise of completeness in every aspect of your existence.
Want financial stability? God has a principle for that.
Want a loving and secure marriage? God has a principle for that.
Want to live a life of peace and security? God has a principle for that.
Doing it God’s way isn’t meant to be an arduous or laborious task. God established these principles to provide guidance, protection, and a good outcome. But it’s our choice. In the book of Deuteronomy, God presents the dichotomy of choosing our path in life. Good or Evil, Blessings of Coursings.
“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days.”
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NKJV).
If we choose well, we enjoy all of the wonderful benefits God intended. If we choose poorly, well, we get those outcomes too.
So, the choice is up to us. Good outcome. Poor outcome. Life or death.
For me, I choose Life!
In grace and love,
Teresa
Chrysalis Connections Relationship Counseling and Family Leadership Center
960 Broadway North Drive
317-210-1776
Natural Relational Health Practitioner, Marriage and Family Therapist, Family Systems Supervisor and Consultant, Author, Speaker, Ambassador for Christ