Fixed versus a Growth Mindset: How God Shapes Us for More
Two women, Jenny and Marlize, were given the same opportunity—to speak at a women’s conference about their faith journey. Jenny immediately said, “I’m not a speaker. I’ll embarrass myself.” She turned it down. Marlize, on the other hand, felt just as nervous but thought, “I may not be ready yet, but I can learn.”
Jenny let fear define her decision. Marlize let growth define hers. She practiced, sought wisdom, and trusted that if God had opened this door, He would equip her.
Months later, Marlize stood on stage, sharing her testimony. Women in the audience cried, nodding along, realizing God was speaking directly to them through her. And Jenny? She sat in the back, watching Marlize, feeling a pang of regret—wondering what could have been if she had just believed in what God could do through her.
Same opportunity. Different mindset.
Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset
A fixed mindset is like a heavy chain holding you back. It whispers:
❌ “I can’t change.”
❌ “This is just how I am.”
❌ “I’ll never be more than this.”
It keeps you locked into fear and doubt, limiting what God can do through you. I was there for many years - full of potential but trapped by my own thoughts.
A growth mindset, however, says:
✅ “With God, I can grow, learn, and become more.”
✅ “I may not know everything now, but I trust that God is leading me.”
✅ “I am being transformed daily into His image.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
A growth mindset doesn’t ignore difficulties—it just sees them as opportunities to grow rather than reasons to stop. This is not easy though. It's a process, and the process many times don't even look like how we want it to look.
God Didn’t Call You to Stay the Same
Throughout the Bible, we see how God calls His people to stretch, grow, and transform.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
But here’s the thing: We have to participate in that process. God can’t steer a parked car.
Moses wasn’t a great speaker, but God still called him.
David was just a shepherd boy before he became king.
Peter denied Jesus, yet he became a pillar of the early Church.
They all had reasons to stay stuck. But they moved in faith.
What if the only thing standing between where you are and where God wants you to be is your mindset?
How to Challenge a Fixed Mindset
It’s time to test your thoughts—because not every thought deserves to be believed.
Next time you catch yourself thinking “I can’t”, “I’m not good enough”, or “This is just who I am”, ask yourself:
What’s the thought I’m believing?
What’s the actual evidence for it?
Am I basing this thought on facts or feelings?
Could I be misinterpreting the situation?
Am I making assumptions that might not be true?
Is this a thought I’ve adopted from someone else? Are they a reliable source?
Would God agree with this thought?
Once you've gone through the questions, you are not in a great position to rewrite (or reframe) the initial thought you have. Don't skip these steps. This is part of renewing your mind.
Example:
🚫 “I’ll never be able to step into my calling.”
✅ “God is the one who equips me. If He’s called me, He will make a way.”
The Power of Transformation
God is always working in us. The question is: Are we letting Him? Are we giving God something to work with?
“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6
You don’t have to figure everything out today. You just have to decide to grow—to think bigger, trust deeper, and move forward, even when you don’t have all the answers.
The bakery? The business? The ministry? The book? The deeper relationship with God?
It’s all possible. But only if you believe it is.
So, what will it be?
A fixed mindset that keeps you stuck? Or a growth mindset that allows God to do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine? (Ephesians 3:20)
The choice is yours. And the time is now.
