What Is A Growth Mindset and How To Develop It

As humans, our outlook on life plays a pivotal role in realizing our full potential. Having a “growth mindset” is important for Christians, who are called to grow in knowledge and wisdom and seek spiritual maturity. But what do the words “growth mindset" really mean and how does this concept align with the values of Christianity?

Below, we discuss what is a growth mindset, how developing this type of outlook is advantageous for God’s followers, and why the Bible encourages Christians to eschew limiting beliefs and rest in the knowledge that all opportunities and challenges we come across are a pathway to God’s ultimate plan for good.

The Benefits of a Growth Mindset

There's no singular definition of what it means to have a growth mindset, rather, each person approaches the concept in their own, unique way. People with a growth mindset view challenges as opportunities for improvement and a natural part of the learning process instead of obstacles to be avoided. They may be doers vs. learners.

While anyone of any faith can adopt a growth mindset, Christians, in particular, are encouraged to have an attitude that embraces learning, perseverance, and the determination to thrive in difficult situations. Having a growth mindset can help improve your self-esteem, learn new skills freely without the fear of failure, crush procrastination, and face challenges with a greater ability to adapt to change.

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

The opposite of a growth mindset is a fixed mindset, which is the belief that one's abilities are essentially predetermined and cannot be improved much through effort or practice. Individuals with a fixed mindset tend to avoid challenges and may give up easily when obstacles arise. They may also feel threatened by the success of other people and view criticism as a personal attack instead of an opportunity to change and grow.

But these limiting beliefs can actually build a rift in your relationship with God over time, making it difficult for you to connect with Him and understand His plan for your life.

Making Every Effort

Instead, the Bible tells us we should work hard to better ourselves through Him, confirming that we have everything we need already to pursue the kind of righteous living that glorifies God. We can be confident that He has provided or will provide the means for us to achieve our goals through Him, given that we put in as much effort as possible to better ourselves according to His word.

2 Peter 1:3-8 says:

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this passage, Peter encourages believers to make every effort in their spiritual growth, striving to be perfect and complete so that they can enter the Kingdom of God.

Developing a growth mindset means being open to different possibilities and actively seeking out new knowledge or ideas that will allow you to grow as an individual. This aligns perfectly with what Peter is telling us here -- that we should continually seek out more ways to become better versions of ourselves, trusting in God’s power as we do so.

Purposeful Living

Part of creating this mindset is striving to be better stewards of our time and resources by engaging in intentional actions that we know will help us reach our goals. Paul's message in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 encourages us to run this “race” with endurance, saying:

25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

This passage serves as an important reminder that for Christians, having a growth mindset means embracing every opportunity presented as part of God’s plan to bring us closer to eternal paradise with Him.

Trusting in God's Plan

When life gets difficult, it can be hard to maintain a positive outlook. This is why trusting in God’s promises to us in the Bible is such an important part of cultivating a successful growth mindset. Remember that God has a plan for each one of us:

…we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

-Romans 5:3-4 (NIV)

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

-Romans 8:28 (NASB)

These verses remind us that no matter what challenges or obstacles come into life, it is ultimately part of God's grand plan for our own good. This can help bring comfort and perspective during difficult times when it feels overwhelming or impossible to continue working towards a goal.

How Your Church Family Helps Develop a Mindset Geared Towards Growth

Your church family can be an excellent asset for helping you foster a growth mindset within yourself and your loved ones. By engaging regularly within a community that encourages and supports growth in Christ, people can obtain the motivation and access to resources needed to continuously strive for improvement despite failures. Remember that with faith in Him and hard work on our part, anything is possible!

Plan your visit to Chicago Church of Christ today by contacting us or by stopping by one of our ministry locations in the city, DeKalb, Oak Park, Elmhurst, Buffalo Grove, Frankfort, or Schererville, IN.