Fixed vs Growth: The Challenge of Fear
A growth mindset person will see challenges as somethingto be embraced; someone with a fixed mindset will see challenges as something to be avoided. A challenge to someone
with a fixed mindset is only an opportunity for failure. Someone with a fixed mindset who experiences
failure will leap to conclusions about their uselessness and overall
incompetence; will experience despondency and even depression in the face of
obstacles or failure; and will often refuse to place themselves in a situation
where failure is possible. The unspoken
motto of a fixed mindset person is “nothing ventured, no possibility of failure
and loss”. By contrast, someone with a
growth mindset has no fear of challenges and the possibility of failure; in
fact, they will often relish those challenges as an opportunity for growth,
development and learning. Failure isn’t
debilitating, it’s an opportunity to learn from a choice that didn’t work as
anticipated or an opportunity to improve the planning, training or preparation
that preceded it. Challenges are stimulating, an opportunity to try something
new and different.
A Christian, secure in God’s love and confident in His plan,
can definitely have a growth rather than fixed mindset when faced with
challenges; the Bible is full of discussions about challenges and how God uses
challenges for our good. 1 John 4:18
says “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…the one who
fears is not made perfect in love”. The love referred to hear is not a
wishy-washy, sentimental human emotion that ebbs and flows, but refers to the
love of God, a love that is intrinsic to His character and manifest in Christ. In context (verses 13 - 21), the message is clear: we are alive in Christ, we are blessed with
His Spirit, we can rely confidently on God’s love for us both in this life and
in eternity: we have absolutely no
reason to fear failure or challenges in life, they can’t touch us, and we can
be bold in our love for others and service to God.
1)
Consider a challenge that exists in your
life. A difficult relationship,
struggles financially, a challenging job or a particularly difficult class in
school. How does the message of 1 John 4: 15 – 21 influence your perspective of that challenge? See especially verse 16.
2)
Consider a failure that you have
experienced. Something that might still
make you cringe when you think about it; a failed relationship, a time when you
made a very poor or even unethical choice, words or actions that hurt someone
else, a failed project at work, a failed interaction as a parent. How does the message of 1 John 4: 15 – 21
influence how you view that failure?
3)
Martin Luther, 16th century church
reformer, said “sin boldly.” That
is—recognize that you will fail, you are a sinner living in a sinful world; but
don’t let that knowledge paralyze you so that you fail to act. Act. Love. Accept challenges. Pray for wisdom and insight from God, and be
bold. Don’t fear failure. But when you do fail, come to God in absolute
confidence in His love and in the forgiveness you have in Christ. Read Hebrews 4: 14 – 15 and 1 John 1: 8 -10. How do these passages give you
confidence even when you are afraid of failing?
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