Mindset Matters: 5 Days of Inspiration for Positive and Optimistic ThinkingSample

In Roman numerals, I equals 1, V equals 5, X equals 10, and L equals 50. Whenever a letter is behind another, it subtracts the amount, whenever it is front, it adds to the number So, IV is 4, XL is 40, XII is twelve, LV is fifty-five, and so on with any number of combinations.

If you had IX, it would equal nine. But how would you make that six with just one more letter? If you put another letter behind it, then the number would not equal six. If put another letter in front of it, the number would still not equal six. There is no way to add a letter to IX and get six.

But what if you add an “S” then it would be SIX. With only adding one letter, you got SIX. So, there is a way to add only a letter and get SIX. Except “S” is not a Roman numeral. You thought it had to be another Roman numeral, even though that was never stated. The assumption was it had to be another Roman numeral and not an English letter.

Our thinking can limit us when we assume it must only be one way. When we do not open our minds to the possibility that there may be another way. We are thinking only one way and we miss the potential for another perspective.

Matthew 16:23 says, “Jesus turned to Peter and said, ‘Satan, get away from me! You’re in my way because you think like everyone else and not like God.’” Peter wanted Jesus to stop talking about suffering and dying. He told him God would not allow something like that to ever happen.

Peter’s thinking was Jesus’ death would not accomplish God’s purposes. He did not see there may be another way. That Jesus would die and then come back to life. He was thinking like everyone else. His thinking did not allow for the possibility of a resurrection.

You may be thinking like everyone else. Using human logic to approach the challenges you face. You don’t see how the addiction can ever be broken, how the marriage can ever be restored, how the body can ever be well, how the finances can ever be secure.

In your way of thinking, it’s not possible. But God specializes in the impossible. We work in the natural, he works in the supernatural. We need to think like God, who knows there is another way. Open your mind to the possibility that God can do it.