Develop an Abundant Mind - Part 6 of 8
May 1st, 2007 | Michael Pink
The keys to developing an abundant mindset are found in Phil 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
There are things that all men agree in commending, that are useful and profitable to all. These are the things that are to occupy our mind. According to Proverbs 15:30, “A good report makes the bones healthy.” Good news strengthens us. Bad news tends to weaken us. When we are weakened, we tend to fear and buy into a poverty mindset. When we are strong, we tend to be confident and full of faith. We are fully confident of the abundance of God and His willingness to share every good thing with those who walk uprightly.
Years ago at a New Year’s Eve celebration, we were part of an intimate gathering of friends in a home. All of us had just come through a difficult year and none of us felt like celebrating. That’s partly why we came together - for support. The host suggested we go around the room and share one significant thing the Lord had done for us that year. As we called to mind the good report and shared it with the group, our bones were made strong! Our faith was lifted! Our hope was restored! Our mind had been filled with abundance. It wasn’t long before it showed up in our natural lives. Whose report are you listening to? Which one will you believe?
If you have a good report to post on today’s blog, please do so. It might just be a life saver to someone!
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May 2nd, 2007 at 7:49 am
Still ramping up my business and getting worried about expenses versus income. God provided two nice windfalls to keep me going: first my daughter got almost a full package of scholarships and financial aid for her first year of college, amen! Then to start off this year one customer had a large transaction that was not planned for that tripled their revenue for this year with me. I still worry but as I look back on His providence I realize I shouldn’t worry so much about the income but rather just worry that I lose my love and focus for Him… He will provide if I follow His will!!
May 2nd, 2007 at 9:32 am
Prov 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”
I’m 49 years old and was married for the 1st time at 44. My wife is 44 and was married for the 1st time at 39. It’s not that we were both holding out for “God’s best”, but things just didn’t work out for either of us until God brought us together.
We jusr celebrated our 5th anniversary and our son will be 4 this June.
My secret? I stopped “trying to get married” and became content in the situation. I stopped focusing on what I didn’t have and allowed God to us me with what I did have. I met my wife through an outreach ministry that I was heading up. About 10 months later we were married.
May 2nd, 2007 at 9:38 am
Here’s my good report … it just happened yesterday! I’ve been looking for the right person to hire for an open position in our company. After trying to get the word out on the street my brother-in-law recommended someone. The person he recommended was a wonderful person, and I thought with a little training she would be a great fit, but she decided to not accept the job. About a month later she mentioned that her niece and nephew would be moving back to the area and she thought he would be a great fit. He is! His interview was yesterday, and he starts in July (when he returns to the area).
I fully see the hand of God in this. I was bummed when the first person didn’t work out, but without having met her I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet with the person we ultimately hired.
Hindsight is wonderful … it changes the “Why did God allow this to happen” perspective into “I’m glad God allowed this to happen!” There’s more to the story too … let me just say that His fingerprints are all over this experience!!!
May 2nd, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Our son (an only child) was married in June 1998. He was so very happy and was so deeply in love. He and his new wife moved to a different city so she could complete her college education. Our son was willing to do that and therefore it meant a big sacrifice for him. He drove 77 miles each way back and forth for the 2 years leading to her graduation.
Ten days after her graduation, she announced to him that she was having an affair. Our son was devastated. That happened in June 2002. Our son was even contemplating suicide. We worked thru all of this with the Lord by our side to help Michael. It was probably one of the hardest things that we ever faced as a family. Only the Lord …. only the Lord.
The 1st Christmas after they separated was so difficult. Michael was sooo down and so unhappy. Christmas was his very favorite time of year.
I asked the Lord to help him and then I asked the Lord to help me as his mom to see some hope for him. The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said that in 1 year, you will see a great difference. That gave me hope that we could go on and that eventually Michael would be ok. The 2nd Christmas came and he was better; again I felt the Lord speaking to my heart that he would be better the next year. And he was!!!
God is so good! Our son went thru a long and hard battle but the Lord helped him. He brought another young lady into his life 2 1/2 years after the breakup of his marriage. They are planning on marrying in June 2008.
Never give up, never give up. The same God that raised Jesus from the dead shall also help you to overcome every obstacle that the enemy means for your demise.
Stand in the gap and be a light in the midst of the darkness.
Jesus even takes bad things and makes something beautiful out of them.
Many blessings
May 2nd, 2007 at 2:24 pm
We are based in the UK. We were in our office yesterday feeling a bit down, when the Lord prompted us to go back and listen to 7 secrets of the Rain Forest, Disc 1. We were charged up by the teachings and God gave us LIGHT from the Word. We knew we had to get our vision right and it had to be God’s vision for our business. We are so excited now because the light has come on in our business, and we are putting together our vision as God has directed. Thank you Lord for your light!!!!!
May 15th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Michael,
Excellent observations about business men backing people of passion for God! We ask ouselves, which is more important, to be the voice of passion or be the $ backer of the voice for passion. Both soooo necessary!
Thanks for your contributions to the lifeblood of so many people’s businesses.