1 The Power Of A Positive Perspective Series

1. Introduction: The Battle for Your Mind

Good morning everyone.

Let me start by asking:

Have you ever noticed how just a few minutes scrolling through the news or social media can completely change your mood?

You were fine five minutes ago — maybe even cheerful.

But now you’re anxious, angry, or discouraged.

Why?

Because what we focus on fills our minds.

And what fills our minds shapes how we feel and how we live.

We’re constantly being shaped — by

• the voices we listen to,

• the messages we consume, even

• our own internal self-talk.

The world has a pattern.

What does that pattern look like?

Often the pattern looks like worry, fear, cynicism, and comparison.

But as followers of Jesus, we’re called to a different pattern.

In Romans 12 We’re called to

• renew our minds —

• to think differently

• to form another pattern

so we can live differently.

That’s what this new mini series, “Be Positive”, is all about.

Not just - wishful thinking or ignoring reality

— but choosing a different pattern –

to see life through God’s lens.

And today, we begin with the idea that “The Power of a Positive Perspective” starts in our minds.

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2. What Does It Mean to Renew Your Mind?

Romans 12:2 (have it open) is our foundation today.

Let’s break it down:

A. Stop Conforming

"Do not conform to the pattern (the shape) of this world..."

What does the world’s pattern look like?

• Constant comparison on social media.

• Fear-based headlines.

• The “I’m not enough” voice that plays on repeat.

• Cynicism that says nothing ever changes, so why bother?

THAT’s the pattern of this world.

It’s not new.

Think of the Israelites in the wilderness.

God had rescued them miraculously from Egypt, but when they reached the Promised Land,

they didn’t focus on the promise, no!

They focused on the giants instead of the God who promised victory (Numbers 13–14).

They conformed to the pattern of fear and missed out.

We do the same when we adopt the world’s pattern of thinking instead of God's.

So – a. Stop conforming

B. Start Transforming (Rom 12.2)

"...but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Alter your pattern!

Renewing our minds is a daily, intentional process.

It means choosing

• truth over lies,

• God’s promises over your past, and

• faith over fear.

Paul is a great example.

He went from persecuting Christians to preaching the gospel — why?

Because he had a complete mind shift (a pattern change) after meeting Jesus (Acts 9).

His thinking changed, and his whole life followed.

Paul writes in Ephesians 4:23 says, “Be made new in the attitude of your minds.”

Our mindset matters.

Because how we think shapes how we live.

a. stop conforming

b. start transforming

C. Result: Discern God’s Will

"Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

When our minds are renewed, we begin to see things clearly.

We can discern what is true, what is right, and what God wants for our lives.

A renewed mind doesn’t just know God’s will —

it trusts it.

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3. How to Cultivate a Positive Perspective

So how do we actually change the pattern of our minds?

Here are three practical steps:

A. Audit Your Inputs

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

In our digital age, guarding your heart starts with guarding your mind.

Ask yourself:

• What am I regularly watching, listening to, or reading?

• Are my conversations filled with negativity, gossip, or fear?

• Am I feeding my faith or feeding my worry?

Illustration:

Hold up two clear bottles: one filled with clean water and one filled with muddy or coloured water. Say:

• “If I told you to drink from one of these, you’d naturally choose the clean one.

Why?

Because you know that, what you put into your body matters.

The same is true for your mind and heart.

If we're constantly taking in the

muddy water of fear, gossip, or negativity, it will cloud our thinking and affect how we live.

But when we filter what comes in — by guarding our inputs — our lives become clearer, healthier, and more peaceful.”

We can’t expect to live with peace and joy if we’re constantly drinking in fear and division.

B. Replace Lies with Truth

Here’s a practical tool: take a negative thought you often wrestle with — something like, “I’m not enough,” and hold it up to the light of Scripture.

What does God say?

2 Corinthians 12:9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

When the enemy whispers, “You’ll never change,”