The choices people make each day can look small, but over time, those little choices shape who we become. In Back to the Basics Week 4, Pastor Richie Brown encourages everyone to consider the way they think. This week’s message is simple: change your mind so that your life can change, too. The Bible isn’t just a book people read out of habit. It’s God’s way of helping anyone think and live differently.
Stories in the Bible, like Gideon’s or verses found in Proverbs, show just how much thoughts matter. They point us in a certain direction, shape our attitudes, and can either keep us stuck or help us move forward. Now, as autumn sets in and the world outside begins to change, it’s a fitting time to reset the way we think. This message is about responding in the present, making space today for God to renew your mind, and not waiting for a future season to get things right.
Why Your Mindset Matters to God
Mindset is not a minor issue tucked away in the background of life. It affects how people live out every part of their day. The choices we make, how we treat others, and the paths we follow all come from what we believe to be possible or true. Proverbs 23:7 says it this way, as a person thinks in their heart, so are they. These aren’t just nice words to memorize. They have real impact. If your mind is filled with limiting thoughts, your life will feel just as limited. When you believe you’re stuck, you’ll likely keep living like you are.
At times, people may ask God for help fixing a situation at work, with friends, or at home, but God might want to go deeper. He may be trying to fix the way we think, knowing that changed thinking brings lasting change. If our mindset doesn’t line up with what God wants for us, we may not be able to step into the brighter future He wants to give. God may even hold back certain blessings simply because we’re not ready to recognize them for what they truly are.
Three Common Mindsets That Hold Us Back
Everyone faces patterns of thinking that quietly keep them from moving forward. Some of the most common are pride, fear, and comfort.
– Pride makes us feel like we have to do everything on our own. When that happens, we forget to trust God. That sense of self-sufficiency pulls us away from where He wants us. The story of Gideon’s shrinking army is a reminder. God reduced Gideon’s army so no one could say they won on their own. Pride will keep us from seeing God at work.
– Fear tells us we shouldn’t even try because we might fail. Maybe you felt stuck before, like moving forward was just a risk you couldn’t take. In Gideon’s story, a huge number of soldiers walked away simply because they were afraid. God didn’t speak down to them. He just let them go, knowing fear would keep them from the victory they wanted.
– Comfort might not sound so bad, but settling for what’s familiar is a quiet trap. People get used to their routines or situations and start saying, “I guess this is just the way things have to be.” But comfort can keep us from asking new questions or making important changes. What feels safe can sometimes block us from something amazing God wants to do.
How God Shapes Our Thinking Through the Bible
God never expected us to figure things out alone. That’s why He gave us the Bible, a guide to help us untangle our thoughts and set them in the right direction. When we spend regular time reading the Bible, even just a few minutes, the truth starts to settle in. God’s Word gives us new ways to see ourselves and the world, replacing old, unhelpful thoughts with new ones.
Attending a Sunday service or joining a small group conversation can give extra support for these mindset shifts. Sometimes, people notice they’re being a little more patient one week or handling stress differently the next. These shifts don’t always happen all at once. It can be a slow but steady process that comes from letting God’s truth soak in. At Amarillo Fellowship Church, small groups meet regularly, giving everyone a place to connect, talk through questions, and encourage each other as they reset their thinking. Ministries for kids, students, and adults help all ages find their spot as they grow in faith.
For many people, listening to uplifting music, praying quietly, or journaling about what stood out during a Sunday message are simple habits that help keep the mind moving in the right direction. The point isn’t to get everything perfect overnight. It’s about opening yourself up to God’s way each day, and letting Him do the shaping.
Choosing a New Way to Think Every Day
Our thoughts are always on the move. Life brings unexpected challenges, and new people or situations come along that test what we really believe. That’s why a fresh way of thinking isn’t something we choose once and then forget. It’s a decision to make every day. Each morning gives us a new start, a chance to focus on what’s true and helpful instead of what brings us down.
Daily choices show up everywhere—in how we treat our coworkers, the way we talk to our family at home, even how we act when no one else is watching. If we let negative thoughts take charge, our actions start to follow. But when we focus on kindness, patience, and hope, the day begins to look brighter. The Bible says God has already given us the mind of Christ. That means we already have what we need to think and act like people who walk in faith, love, and hope. The job is to practice listening to that quiet voice of truth instead of slipping back into old habits.
If you want a practical way to reset your thoughts, try writing down a Bible verse that stands out, putting it somewhere you’ll see during the day, or joining a group that helps people grow together. Amarillo Fellowship Church offers groups for all ages, so there’s always a place to find friends who can help you stay focused on what matters. There’s no need to go it alone.
Created to Think Differently, Live Differently
Staying trapped in worry, fear, or doubt is not how anyone was meant to live. God’s Word opens the door for people to think new thoughts and make positive changes. When our minds get renewed, good things start to grow:
– Our relationships become stronger.
– Work feels more meaningful.
– Joy and gratitude take the front seat in day-to-day life.
We don’t have to let old habits or tired ways of thinking keep us from what’s possible anymore. Sometimes, pride, fear, or comfort will try to get our attention. But those voices don’t have to be the ones we listen to most. Deep inside, we have something better—the mind of Christ—ready to help us start fresh every single day.
As the leaves change and fall signals a fresh season, it’s a good reminder that we can let go of old patterns and step into something new. With a shift in our minds, we set the stage for new experiences, deeper faith, and real hope. Changes happen through small, steady choices, not just big promises or plans. One day at a time, step by step, we get to choose what we believe, who we rely on, and what kind of life we want to build.
Change doesn’t start by trying really hard or making a big effort for just one week. It begins when you let God help you see things in a different way. When you take that step, everything starts to look different—your work, your friendships, your attitude, and your daily habits. Let this season be the time to lift your head, see new possibilities, and lead with kindness. The door to a better mindset is open. All you have to do is step forward.
Ready to reset your mindset and grow in the way God is leading you? Whether you’re building new friendships, spending more time in the Bible, or joining a group that helps you grow, Amarillo Fellowship Church is here to walk with you. You don’t have to figure it all out by yourself—we’re a place where you can feel encouraged and challenged to live out your faith every day. Get connected through Scripture and community by visiting our Amarillo Fellowship Church. Let’s take that next step together.