Introduction

Welcome to the Masterpiece Mindset with Dr. Meredith Griffin Podcast. A program dedicated to helping you develop the mindset, overcome the obstacles, and take the actions needed to live the masterpiece life God intended. This is Episode 1. In this episode I will tackle the topic of mindset.

Again, welcome to Episode 1 of The Masterpiece Mindset Podcast with Dr. Meredith Griffin. I am your host, Meredith Griffin. For almost the last 30 years I’ve been helping people live a life that honors God by understanding who they were created to be, what they were created to do, and how to become that person wherever they are sent. 

The topic of today’s episode is mindset. The name of this podcast is…The Masterpiece Mindset. So here at the beginning of our podcast journey together, I think it is important to unpack just what I mean when I use the word “mindset.” What is it, why is it important, what does God say about it, and what does it look like when we don’t have it together? So, if you’re ready…I know I am…let’s dive in. 

What is Mindset?

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have boundless confidence that things are going to work? People who are willing to put themselves out there and take a risk in order to see something different. Have you wrestled with fear to the point that it has paralyzed you from even attempting to start in a direction you know you should take? Both of these outcomes can be ultimately traced back to mindset, our understanding of what it is, and how we handle it. 

Mindset, or more importantly, having the right mindset, is viewed by some as the most important factor influencing a person’s future. Mindset speaks to how you view yourself, other people, circumstances, and your ability to navigate toward an expected or intended end. With all of that in mind, it is easy to understand why mindset is so vitally important.

Mindset affects every single aspect of your life. Let me say it again…your mindset…your view of yourself and your surroundings…affects every single aspect of your life. Your spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, financial, and relationship health are all subject to your mindset.

A January 2020 Mayo Clinic article concludes that a positive mindset can lead to an increased life span, lower rates of depression and levels of stress, greater resistance to the common cold, better psychological and physical well-being, better cardio-vascular health and a reduced risk of dying from heart disease, as well as better coping skills during times of hardship and stress. 

A 2019 article on Medium.com, citing three studies in peer-reviewed journals found that 1) negative thinking signals the body’s immune response, and a positive attitude can improve your immune system; 2) positive thinking reduces anxiety…that visualizations and positive self-talk reduce negative thinking and intrusive thoughts; and 3) positive people are happier and less likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors, with their happiness promoting success in work, health, and relationships.

Hearing all of that, I cannot help but think of the apostle Paul’s words in Romans 12:2 (NLT) “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” I think it time to look at what Scripture has to say about mindset. (can be a sound effect, short musical clip, or a phrase)

What Does the Bible Say About Mindset?

It safe for me to say that God cares about your mindset. It isn’t a stretch for me to say that God expects that we would have a mindset that recognizes and affirms things that are positive, that can occur, over things that may be seen as negative. The Bible supports the thinking that having the right mindset is vital to living the life that God both created us for, and expects us to live. 

That’s right. God expects you to live a particular kind of life. A lift that actualizes everything that he has placed on the inside of you. The things that he put there. He expects that we will acknowledge the truth about our creation, and desire to not see anything he’s given us squandered due to fear, lack of information, lack of action, or a poor mindset. As you’ve heard me say before, we are God’s masterpiece! God put some things inside of you that, if we develop the mindset, clear the obstacles, and take the actions, will bless us, our families, and the communities we inhabit. But, as Paul said in Romans 12:2, we need to get our minds right.

This isn’t simply the power of positive thinking kind of talk. In fact, Paul tells us not to copy the behaviors and customs of this world. No, our renewed mind or mindset, is an extension of our trusting our Creator and his unique design for each of us. There is no masterpiece life without a masterpiece mindset.

Hear that I’m not just talking about a generally positive mindset. What I am encouraging you, truly pushing you to do, is to develop a masterpiece mindset. If you haven’t listened to Episode 0, I encourage you to do that, but here is a recap of what I mean by “masterpiece mindset.” 

It comes from Ephesians 2:10 (NLT). There Paul says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” There is a masterpiece in you! In all of us! God put it there. There is a work for you and me to do. God put that there too. Too many of us spend too much time listening to or focusing on what we do not have, and not enough time affirming our creation. God created you a masterpiece. He knows what in you. You were made new in Christ so that you have the power to overcome the very negative thinking and self-talking that is hindering you right now. It is already inside of you. We just need to get your mind right. 

Listen…keeping the right mindset can be a struggle at times. But it isn’t impossible. What you focus your mind on, will direct the path you follow. One more verse for you…Philippians 4:8 (NLT) “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." 

There’s a story that reminds me that God is the Creator, the potter, and we are the creation. It reminds me, when I am finding it difficult to keep a masterpiece mindset, that there is a masterpiece life inside of me. Here it is.

There was a man who was a great admirer of a world renown sculptor. He’d seen the sculptor’s works in museums around the world, and dreamed of having an opportunity to meet her one day. It so happens that one day he got the chance to meet this great sculptor, and talk about her work. During the conversation, the man asked how the sculptor was able to create such magnificent works of art from what appeared to others to be ordinary blocks of stone. The sculptor’s response was profound. She said to the man, “The magnificent works of art you see are already inside of the stone. I simply, in the work I do, help reveal/uncover what is already there.”

So What Should You Do Now?

So what should you do now? There are three places we have to look whenever we are desirous to change from a negative mindset or maintain a positive mindset.

First, we need to look within. I haven’t talked about the Masterpiece Framework yet, stay tuned because it coming in the next episode, but assessment is a big part of it. Taking an serious, sober look within is important whenever we want to see positive results. I need to know where I am before I can ever hope to get where I want to be. It is no different with mindset. Admit and confront the negative self-talk, or external talk that has (or is) influencing your thinking. 

Second, look without. Who is around you? What is their collective mindset? Do they encourage themselves, and you, to strive to become what may lay dormant on the inside? Or are they negative complainers for whom nothing ever seems to work out? I’m not telling you to cut off your friends and family, although you may need to limit interaction with negative people in order to get where you want to be. I am telling you that just as you worked to identify what inside of you may be holding you from the masterpiece mindset that leads to a masterpiece life, you need to look at the circle of people around you as well. 

Third, look for help. The places in my life where I’ve made the most positive movement toward an intended goal, have been those where I didn’t try to do it all myself. We all need help. Successful people actually seek out help. Needing and asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, but a sign of wisdom, maturity, and strength. 

The Bible says, in Proverbs 15:22, “Plans go wrong for lack of advice: many advisers bring success.” That’s just one verse…Scripture offers us myriad examples when it comes to seeking counsel or advice. We’d all be wise to find the support of trusted friends, coaches, counselors, or advisers. I think we’ve covered quite a bit in Episode 1. (can be a sound effect, short musical clip, or a phrase)

Subscribe and Thank You For Listening

Thanks for listening to this episode. I hope you understand a bit better just how important it is to have the correct mindset. How your mindset affects every area of your life, what the Bible says about our mindset, and some immediate steps we can take to begin to transform our mindset.  (summarize episode themes) 

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to The Masterpiece Mindset podcast on whatever podcast platform you use. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and Amazon Music. I’d also appreciate, very much, if you’d share with your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues that there is new podcast devoted to helping them become the masterpiece God designed in every are of their lives. If you want to keep up with between episodes, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Just search for The Masterpiece Life Podcast. I look forward to sharing a new episode with you next week. Until then, stay blessed, keep pressing toward the mark, and remember…the first step to living a masterpiece life, is developing a masterpiece mindset.