Ditch the Comparison & Upgrade Your Mindset
The Big Idea
The wilderness isn't your permanent home—it’s training ground. Stop romanticizing the past or obsessing over someone else’s present, and trust God to move you forward.
Think About This
It’s crazy how easy it is to develop a "wilderness mentality." That’s the state of mind where your circumstances might change, but your mindset stays locked on dissatisfaction. You look at where you are right now and think, This isn't enough. You compare your everyday life to someone else's highlight reel or look back at "the good old days" with fake nostalgia, wishing you could go back.
In Deuteronomy 1:6, God called out His people for circling the same mountain for way too long. The wilderness was meant to prepare them, not define them! God has big plans for your future, but you can’t step into what’s next if you’re constantly looking behind you or complaining about where you stand. Matthew 19:26 reminds us that with God, all things are possible. He doesn’t need you to figure out every step of the roadmap; He just needs you to drop the bitter mindset, trust Him, and take the next step forward.
Family Activity: The "Mindset Reset" Journal Swap
Grab a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle.
On the left side labeled "Wilderness Thoughts," write down 2–3 things you tend to complain about, compare, or feel dissatisfied with (e.g., "I wish I had what they have," "Things used to be easier").
On the right side labeled "God-Sized Faith," rewrite those exact lines into statements of trust based on Matthew 19:26 (e.g., "God is preparing me right now," "With God, my future is full of potential").
Fold the paper so only the "God-Sized Faith" side shows, and tape it inside your bathroom mirror or bedroom door as a daily reminder to keep moving forward!