A positive mindset

"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." Philippians 4:8 NLT

Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. So that means if you and I want to cultivate a positive mindset (and this should be everyone's goal), we should hang around people who have that trait. Which, according to a recently published World Athletics Report, could be as easy as joining a running group. It's true. The study revealed something that most of us have come to know... runners are positive people because they have positive mindsets. In fact, According to a recent World Athletics consumer research study, runners show greater confidence in associating themselves with positive personality traits, like being warm and friendly. World Athletics and Neilson Sports collected online interviews from over 8,000 people across 10 countries (Australia, Colombia, France, India, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa, UK, USA), including approximately 500 non-runners and 500 runners from each country. Across all 10 countries, 40 per cent of respondents considered themselves to be runners, with 30 per cent of those people running at least once a week. When compared with those who used to run but have stopped, and with those who have never run, runners were more likely to consider themselves to be warm and friendly, easy-going, family-oriented and optimistic.

And you know, as Paul knew, having a positive mindset or optimistic attitude is crucial in our walk with Christ because this frame of mind allows us to approach both the good and bad in life with the expectation that things will go well,  which in turn allows us to keep our joy in every situation and serves as a testimony to our faith. And we cultivate this important mindset by not only surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals but by fixing our "thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable." Why? Because these "thoughts" remind us of who we are in Christ, that His promises are true and that He is working all things for our good and for His glory. 

So if you find yourself constantly thinking negative thoughts, vow to make a change today by following the example of Paul my friend. Choose to think "about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" instead and you'll soon find that you are more joyful, hopeful and happy than you've ever been. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that our thoughts have the power to either lift us up or drag us down. Please cause us to understand though that, through You, we have the power to control those thoughts and to develop the positive mindset to overcome the trials of this world with a smile on our faces. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!