It Starts with Your Mindset

"Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." – Romans 13:14

Have you ever wondered why you keep falling into the same old patterns, even when you genuinely want to change? Maybe it’s an unhealthy habit, a negative attitude, or a struggle you just can’t seem to shake. It’s like something keeps dragging you back into the same mess, no matter how hard you try to break free.

The truth is, there’s a cycle at work. And that cycle begins with triggers. We all have them. You might not call them that, but they’re real. Triggers are the things, whether external or internal, that push you into an automatic response. Something happens around you or within you, and it sends your mind spiraling into a reaction you can’t seem to control.

The way you process those moments is shaped by your past, your environment, and the way you’re wired. It’s like your brain has built-in filters that determine how you react when things go wrong or when you feel overwhelmed. And how you respond to those triggers leads to something else: tendencies.

Tendencies are your coping mechanisms. They can be good or bad, helpful or destructive. And if you don’t have clarity about what’s actually triggering you, your tendencies will always pull you toward unhealthy responses. It could be hiding, pretending everything is fine, chasing after relationships to feel accepted, numbing yourself with distractions or addictions, or overworking yourself to feel like you matter. It could even be isolating yourself because you feel like no one truly cares.

If you can relate to this, I need you to know something today. God has something better for you. Romans 13:14 says, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” That verse is a call to action. It’s an invitation to fill the gap between who you are and who God is making you to be with Jesus Himself.

You can’t just leave the gap empty. If you don’t put Christ in the gap, something else will fill it. That’s why you have to be intentional about replacing those unhealthy tendencies with God’s truth and presence. Only He can break the cycle and reshape your mindset so you can truly walk in freedom.

Today, ask yourself: What triggers are setting you off? What tendencies have you been relying on to cope? And most importantly, are you letting Jesus fill the gap?