There is a natural mindset, and there is a spiritual mindset. To live victoriously, you must develop a spiritual mindset. The Bible says: ‘The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God… and cannot understand them because they are [spiritually] discerned… But we have the mind of Christ.’ (1 Corinthians 2:14–16 NIV) As you programme your life in accordance with God’s Word and consciously submit yourself to do His will every day, He will plant His thoughts in your mind. What an advantage!

For example, someone criticises you and your feelings get hurt. In that moment the Lord speaks to you and says, ‘Yes, your feelings are hurt, but part of it is just wounded vanity and we can deal with that. I love you despite all your baggage. Your standing with Me isn’t at risk. The person who criticised you may see a flaw. But nobody thinks you’re perfect anyway, and it’s better not to pretend. Here is a chance to grow. Use it!’

Even though there are elements of pain in these kinds of thoughts, instead of paralysing you, they energise you. They’re true, they give you ground to stand on, and you realise that if you can keep your mind centred on them, the right feelings and actions are more likely to flow from them. Now you’re starting to live out the promise, ‘You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.’ (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV) Instead of focusing on your critics, focus on God, on your spiritual growth, and on what you can learn from the experience.