A Spiritual Growth Mindset

Episode notes

A psychologist named Carol Dweck coined the terms “fixed mindset” and “growth mindset” in 2006. Having a “fixed mindset” means we think things like “This is just how I am,” “I’ve never been good at this,” or “I’m not cut out for this.” A growth mindset says, “I don’t know how to do this yet, but I can learn.”

Having a growth mindset is tied to improved mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. So it’s no surprise then that it’s also essential to our relationship with God. The idea of having a growth mindset is all over the Bible; God works through everything to help us become who he destined us to be. We don’t have to feel stuck or defined by how we’ve lived so far. Instead, we can embrace that everything in our lives—the good, the bad, and the ugly—is part of the process of becoming who we are meant to be.

Listen to this episode of Scripture Playlist to start seeing everything in your life with a mindset of continual spiritual growth and learning.

References:

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.
Philippians 1:9 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. [3] For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. [4] So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
James 1:2-4 NLT

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Philippians 1:6 NLT

I don’t mean that I am exactly what God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal. But I continue trying to reach it and make it mine. That’s what Christ Jesus wants me to do. It is the reason he made me his.
Philippians 3:12 ERV

I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. [7] It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 NLT

I am now entrusting you to God and to his message that tells how kind he is. That message can help you grow and can give you the inheritance that is shared by all of God’s holy people.
Acts 20:32 GW

Someone may say, “I’m allowed to do anything,” but not everything is helpful. I’m allowed to do anything, but not everything encourages growth.
1 Corinthians 10:23 GW

For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.
Romans 1:11 NLT

We should do whatever helps everyone grow stronger in faith.
Romans 15:2 ERV

I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, [17] asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
Ephesians 1:16-17 NLT

Don’t live the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed. Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And you will agree that what he wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2 NIrV

We announce the message about Christ, and we use all our wisdom to warn and teach everyone, so that all of Christ’s followers will grow and become mature.
Colossians 1:28 CEV

But now put these things out of your life: anger, losing your temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and saying shameful things. [9] Don’t lie to each other. You have taken off those old clothes-the person you once were and the bad things you did then. [10] Now you are wearing a new life, a life that is new every day. You are growing in your understanding of the one who made you. You are becoming more and more like him.
Colossians 3:8-10 ERV

So encourage each other and help each other grow stronger in faith, just as you are already doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ERV

Epaphras, another servant of Jesus Christ from your group, sends his greetings. He constantly struggles for you in prayer. He prays that you will grow to be spiritually mature and have everything that God wants for you.
Colossians 4:12 ERV

Do your best to improve your faith. You can do this by adding goodness, understanding, [6] self-control, patience, devotion to God, [7] concern for others, and love. [8] If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful. [9] But if you don’t grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind, and you have forgotten that your past sins are forgiven.
2 Peter 1:5-9 CEV

The church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria now had a time of peace and kept on worshiping the Lord. The church became stronger, as the Holy Spirit encouraged it and helped it grow.
Acts 9:31 CEV

That is why I want you to remember the gift God gave you. God gave you that gift when I laid my hands on you. Now I want you to use that gift and let it grow more and more, like a small flame grows into a fire. [7] The Spirit God gave us does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 ERV

Cultivate all these practices; live by them so that all will see how you are advancing and growing. [16] Take care of yourself, concentrate on your teaching, and stick with these things. If you do, then you will be effective in bringing salvation to yourself and all who hear you.
1 Timothy 4:15-16 Voice

You received Christ Jesus as Lord. So keep on living your lives in him. [7] Have your roots in him. Build yourselves up in him. Grow strong in what you believe, just as you were taught. Be more thankful than ever before.
Colossians 2:6-7 NIrV

Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 CEV

This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. [14] Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. [15] Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. [16] He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:13-16 NLT

Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT

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Change, Patience, Spiritual Growth