Overcoming the Wrong Mindset

Has anything ever happened to you that you thought was bad when it happened, but realized later it had happened for good? Have you ever had an experience like Job where you lost everything only to find God sufficient? Have you ever had an experience like Joseph where suffering gave way to God’s blessing? Most followers of Christ have had some kind of experience like these.

God’s perspective on life and events

The challenge during times like this is to remain focused on things above, not things on the earth. In other words, we need God’s perspective on life and its events. ANY perspective we have apart from God’s results in a “wrong mindset.”

When Joseph was approached in prison by the Pharaoh’s cup-bearer and baker to interpret their respective dreams, Joseph asked, “Don’t interpretations belong to God?”¹ Two years later when Pharaoh was startled by dreams, he sent for Joseph and asked for an interpretation. Joseph responded, “I am not able to. It is God who will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”² When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, whose very lives depended upon his mercy, he informed them, “God sent me ahead of you to preserve life…God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.”³

Set your mind on things above

When Jesus instructed His disciples to pray, He mentioned the heavenly view of life. “Our Father in heaven, Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”⁴ When Paul addressed the Colossian believers about perspective, he wrote, “So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.”⁵

How you see things determines your reaction to them

The perspective through which we view the events of our lives in large part determines our reaction to them. If we believe God is in control of everything, we may find it easier to believe He is purposeful in His actions. If we believe things just happen, trusting God in the middle of those things will be challenging.

Romans 8:28 also provides us with this assurance, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose” (HCSB). This is a verse that brings us perspective about everything that happens in our lives.

God always has a plan for you

Nothing is accidental. Nothing is haphazard. Everything in the life of a child of God works out within the framework of His plan. There are no accidents. We may not understand everything, but we can have understanding when we try to view life as God does, believing that His way is best and His plan perfect.

This is what we learn from Joseph. At every turn of his life, Joseph looked for the heavenly perspective rather than the earthly perspective. We should do the same.

Yours for the Great Commission,

Ronnie W. Floyd

Senior Pastor, Cross Church
General Editor, Bible Studies for Life
President, Southern Baptist Convention

¹– Genesis 40:8
²– Genesis 41:16
³– Genesis 45:5, 7
⁴– Matthew 6:9, 10
⁵– Colossians 3:1, 2