The Power of Yet

This post is by Jen Shultz.

This month, we are focusing on mindset. Not to brag, but I am uniquely qualified to be writing on this subject since I have to reset mine about 150 times a day. I am a professional. All kidding aside, there are few habits one can create as powerful as a positive mindset. 

Life is hard. While that does not sound the least bit positive, it is truthful. That being said, hard does not mean lacking in beauty or happiness. It just means that it is not as obvious for many of us to see the positive because the enemy is constantly throwing the worldly and negative in our faces.

So, how do we compete with that? The pressure for perfection and the lack of control on the unplanned or unexplained is significant. The worst part for most of us is that pressure is not an external source. It is our own inner dialogue that keeps us feeling disappointed or unmotivated. The “I am not good enough” or “I should have done better” or even the “I don’t deserve this” threads the enemy is trying to weave into the tapestry of our lives have the potential to keep us in a negative mindset. 

We are not called to be perfect, friend. Let nothing in this world convince you that you should be. Mistakes will happen. Timelines will be adjusted. Others will expect more from us than we have to give. God doesn’t. He already has everything laid out perfectly to His plan. The more time we spend with Him, the more we are able to recognize the lies being whispered and the voice of truth. 

Once we realize that, the negative thoughts can be reframed. I may not be good at something now… but I will be. I should have done better… and next time I will. I don’t deserve this… but God says I do. When we reframe those negative thoughts, it gives us a reminder that we aren’t done growing yet. How would that change your perspective? Even if it starts with just doing it once a day, it will have a positive impact eventually. And that is what these moments are all about, aren't they? We need to be focused on our inner dialogue and how it impacts our mindset because the body, mind, and spirit are all connected. 

Truly, there is science that supports positivity having a physical influence on our bodies. When positive thoughts are generated, when you're feeling happy, or optimistic, cortisol decreases and the brain produces serotonin, creating a feeling of well-being. When serotonin levels are normal, one feels happy, calmer, less anxious, more focused and more emotionally stable (Scaccia, 2017). Simply put, our mindset and how we approach things have a chemical impact on our body. Feels even more important now, doesn’t it?

Be kind to yourself. Do not speak in absolutes about your abilities (never, always, every one). Take the time to reframe a thought if you recognize it as negative. This is new for some and an old habit that needs refreshing for others, but do not give up on a positive mindset because there is so much power in the “not yet”. You have so much to offer, friend. You just don’t know it… yet!

Scaccia, A. (2017, May 18). Serotonin: What you need to know. Retrieved September 15, 2017, from healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/serotonin#overview1

Jen is a small town, Oklahoma girl married to a superhero. Together, they are raising a family on second chances, shiplap, and a shoestring. She is a firm believer in grace, organization, and efficiency. She finds great satisfaction in taking broken items and giving them new life, likely because that is exactly what God did for her. She over uses the word shine, exclamation points, and emojis. Jen calls her children her greatest accomplishments. A natural born encourager and armchair warrior, she is learning to redefine her mission field and make the most of each day she is given. She has recently been promoted from breast cancer warrior to breast cancer survivor. She’s chronically ill and chronically positive- not necessarily in that order. She is learning to practice perseverance over perfection and longs for the day she gets to see her grandparents and Jesus’ face. Until then, she is just looking for Grace in the Grind.

Photo by sydney Rae on Unsplash