Growth Mindset

The concept of one’s mindset or having a growth mindset came from research done by psychologist Carol Dweck. Having a growth mindset is an important concept in school. Some might even call it one of education’s new buzzwords. As a teacher of students with special needs, this is a very important concept I stress to my students. We talk about the fact that mistakes are how we learn and we don’t say, “I can’t.” It is ok to say “I don’t know right now,” or even “I don’t know yet,” but it is not okay to say, “I can’t.”

Why is this concept so important? The idea is that one should not limit herself by negative thinking. Instead of the “I can’t” attitude, one should be open to trying and learning for future success.

For the Christian, this is also an important concept. I firmly believe that one of the fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16) Satan aims our way is guilt and the idea that “I can never be good enough.” Beyond that, we are told to grow in passages like Ephesians 4:15-16, 1 Peter 2:2, and 2 Peter 3:18. If I am not constantly striving to do and be better, I am limiting my potential.

However, for the Christian, there is a powerful “secret weapon.” Consider Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” This may be one of the most famous “I can” statements, but look where the power lies: not in me but in Christ.

If I have the mindset, the will, and the determination to live daily for Him, He will supply the “I can.”

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:31, 37-39

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AUTHOR: Amber Tatum