How to Cultivate a Faith-Filled Mindset: A Woman’s Guide
- Shaulene Stanley
- Sep 14, 2024
- 11 min read
I am sure many of you reading this post can identify how challenging it can be to gain practical insights from abstract or complex Christian teaching. At one point earlier in your Christian walk, or maybe now years later, you are still asking …..how do I do this? ……and I can understand.
As a young Christian woman, I would often leave the church service, saying to myself…ok so I hear the word, but how do I do this? What practical steps can I take to apply the spoken word?
Over the years as I grew from a young Christian to now an older woman ripened with the knowledge of God’s word and countless revelatory experiences, I have honed practical skills in cultivating and maintaining a faith-filled mindset. It required me taking purposeful actions to renew my mind and align my actions with the word of God.
I am happy to share these practical biblical steps that have been my guide, and now you can use these to guide you.
Ten Practical Ways to Cultivate a Faith-filled Mindset.
(you can click on any of the links below to go to a specific section)
8. Fasting
Having a positive mindset
As you go through your day, have you ever stopped to consider what fills your mind? What if someone challenged you to a 7 or 14-day exercise, asking you to track your thoughts? What would that log reveal? Would it show patterns of positivity or more moments of worry and negativity?
The Bible teaches us in Philippians 4:8 to focus on things that are uplifting, true, excellent, and admirable. Yet, we know that as humans, this doesn’t come naturally to us. Romans 7:24-25 reminds us of our struggle but also points us to the solution—Jesus Christ.
The good news is that we can train ourselves to think better. We can shift our mindset by intentionally replacing impure or negative thoughts with those that are good, lovely, and just. Instead of worrying about life’s challenges, we can choose to dwell on God’s love, His grace, and faithfulness. This fills us with peace and builds our faith.
When we focus on serving others, and showing love and compassion, we strengthen our community in Christ and honor Him through our integrity.
Exercising Self-discipline
For years, I struggled with maintaining self-discipline. It wasn’t an easy journey. There were moments when the distractions of life, the pull of worldly desires, and even sheer laziness seemed to get the better of me. Yet, deep inside, I knew that something had to change.
I understood that self-discipline was not just a nice to have; it was the foundation upon which I could build a strong, unwavering faith. My spiritual walk was faltering, and I realized I couldn’t afford to let my relationship with God slip through the cracks.
Operating with a faith-filled mindset meant something more than just believing. It required me to show up consistently in my everyday life, not just when I felt like it or when it was convenient. Building a relationship with my heavenly Father took intentional effort. I needed to train myself for godliness, just as Paul advised in 1 Timothy 4:7. This training wasn’t a one-time event or a casual hobby—it was a daily commitment.
It took me time—longer than I care to admit—to fully grasp this truth. For years, I would waver, sometimes pressing into my faith, other times neglecting it. But slowly, I came to realize that I had to hold myself accountable. I couldn’t wait for a surge of motivation or a burst of inspiration. I had to decide, every day, to choose the actions that would make me spiritually sound. I had to learn to say “no” to the things that were hindering my relationship with God, the things that dulled my spiritual senses and drew me away from His presence.
Hebrews 11:6 echoes in my mind: "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." Faith, I came to understand, wasn’t just a feeling—it had to be backed by action, by the choices I made each day. And if I was serious about growing in my faith, I needed discipline. My mindset had to shift from wanting change to actively pursuing it. I had to center my life around practices that would strengthen my relationship with God.
So, I began to exercise self-discipline in my spiritual life. I carved out time each day for prayer, not just as a routine, but as an intentional meeting with God, where I could pour out my heart and listen for His voice. I set aside time to read and study His word, seeking wisdom and insight, and learning to apply it to my life. I sometimes fasted, learning to deny myself in order to strengthen my spirit and deepen my reliance on God.
These are small but consistent actions that you can take to begin to shape your mindset of faith. They will not be easy, but each step you take will move you towards a deeper relationship with God. Each act of discipline is a way of reinforcing your resolve to be faith-filled, and a reminder that you are not walking this journey alone.
Memorizing the Word of God
Memorizing scripture became an essential part of my spiritual training, equipping me in ways I hadn’t expected. At first, I didn’t realize how much it would strengthen my faith. But as I began committing verses to memory, I noticed something profound happening—those words became a lifeline in times of weakness.
Whenever fear crept in or I felt overwhelmed by life’s struggles, the scriptures I had stored in my heart would come rushing back. I could recall verses that reminded me I had hope, comfort, and strength. Instead of being consumed by anxiety or temptation, I could stand firm, repeating the promises of God from memory. Psalm 119:11 took on a new meaning for me: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” It became a shield against fear and negative thoughts, allowing me to focus on God’s truth rather than my worries.
Being filled with the knowledge of God’s word will transform how you handle negative situations and stressors. Whenever you feel anxious or filled with dread let your mind pivot from the pressures of life to the unshakable promises found in the scriptures that you have already hidden in your heart. This mental shift will give you a deep sense of peace.
Being a part of your Bible quiz team and doing regular individual study of themed scriptures can help immensely with memorizing scripture. The more you practice, the more naturally these verses will come to mind in difficult moments. You will find that as you memorize these scriptures you are arming your mind and spirit with faith built on truth.
Meditating on the Scriptures
I remember the first time I took scripture memorization to a deeper level through meditation. It was no longer just about knowing the words by heart—it was about truly understanding them, reflecting on their meaning, and receiving revelation from God. I began breaking down the scriptures into smaller chunks, reading slowly, and giving myself time to think deeply about each word.
Meditating on the word started transforming how I thought. It renewed my mind and shifted my focus. No longer just reciting verses, I now found myself expecting the fulfillment of God’s promises. I was in a constant state of anticipation, looking through the eyes of faith. Joshua 1:8 echoed in my heart, reminding me that meditating on God’s word leads to success and prosperity, not just in material things, but in spiritual growth.
This practice will require you to set yourself apart from the distractions of life. You have to be intentional, carving out time to sit down with a verse or short verses, read it, pause, and let it settle in your heart. You will have to make notes, examine what stands out to you, and then pray for deeper understanding and revelation.
Meditating on God’s word will shift your perspective to now seeing the scriptures as personally and directly speaking to your situation, thereby transforming your life.
Being Thankful
Thankfulness is essential to cultivating a faith-filled mindset. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to be thankful in all situations. I admit I sometimes wondered, how can I be thankful in the middle of pain, sickness, or suffering? How could I give thanks when I had so many unmet needs?
It’s natural to ask these questions, especially when life feels overwhelming. But I had to remind myself that the verse says to be thankful in ALL circumstances—not just the good ones. This shift in perspective wasn’t easy, but it became the foundation for maintaining faith, even in the hardest moments.
Soon thereafter, I became intentional in being thankful to God, especially in hard situations. Some days were more difficult than others, but I focused on giving thanks, keeping in mind 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Over time, this practice changed me as it deepened my relationship with God and strengthened my faith. I found myself being more ready to be grateful even when I had struggles, sickness, and loss.
You too can begin this journey by adhering to 1 Thessalonians 5:18, you may want to keep a “thankfulness” journal, or just randomly throughout your day express thankfulness to God, or during your prayer time carve out a space for expressions of gratitude to God for His covering, provision, protection…just about anything that comes to mind.
You will realize, just as I did, that thankfulness is not just about feeling grateful when things are going well, but it is about trusting that God is in control, even when things don’t make sense. Being thankful will certainly establish that faith-filled mindset in you because it allows you to believe in God’s promises even before you see the results.
Being Prayerful
Prayer is our communication with God, and through it, our faith grows stronger. I learned that a life of consistent, sincere prayer is one of submission to God’s will. It became my way of expressing my needs, fears, and shortcomings, but also my love and gratitude to my heavenly Father. Most importantly, I discovered that when I prayed consistently, my heart and mind became more sensitive to God’s leading, and I could recognize His gentle prompts more clearly.
Developing a consistent prayer life was a struggle initially. I knew prayer was important, but sometimes I paid attention to other competing interests. What helped me was to shift my perspective to realize that prayer is simply talking with God…….. I speak, God listens and acts; He speaks, and I listen and act.
Then it hit me, I need to be talking to God consistently, no shortcuts, no distractions. We are instructed to “pray continually” in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, and the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” as noted in James 5:16.
You may be finding it challenging to be consistent in prayer, but it is important to note that prayer is the ultimate act of faith. You can start by building a scheduled prayer time, setting aside specific times in your day to be alone with Him—away from distractions. Don’t focus on how long you should pray but rather on having quality unrushed intimate conversations with God.
Over time you will be pliantly surprised to note it does not feel like a task but a natural part of your life. They become special everyday moments with God whether long or short, that your mind is renewed, and your faith grows.
Engaging in Spirit-led Worship
What better way to be filled with faith and center your mind on the Sovereign God, the creator of all things, than to engage in spirit-filled worship? When I turn to 1 Chronicles 16:9, which says, “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness,” I am reminded of the importance of this practice.
Through worship, I express my adoration and reverence for God, acknowledging Him as the Lord of my life. It’s in these moments that I recognize that He alone makes all things possible. Spirit-led worship captivates my focus and my entire being, drawing my attention to God’s power, love, and mercy. It helps me diminish the overwhelming effects of my concerns and challenges.
For you also this worship experience can be a deeply reverent encounter filled with awe and splendor just by bowing before His majesty King Jesus and letting His presence surround you. When you engage in such worship, life storms are diminished, everything fades to the distant background, and you are overwhelmed with His love and grandeur.
I find that my approach to dealing with difficulties is transformed by a faith-filled perspective of who God is. Worship becomes a lens through which I view my problems, not as insurmountable obstacles, but as opportunities to experience God’s grace and strength.
Fasting
Fasting is another powerful spiritual discipline. I liken it to a spiritual workout that helps you to build spiritual muscles needed for heavy lifting when the cares of life weigh you down, or negative spiritual forces are trying to crush you.
It's about giving up food or other comforts for a while to focus your attention more on God so that you can be strengthened to overcome the attacks of the enemy. Jesus Himself fasted and talked about how important it is, saying that some spiritual breakthroughs are only achieved through prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21).
Your length and type of fast is personal to you however there must be a sacrifice in denying the flesh of its usual comforts. This allows for an acute awareness of God's presence, with the lessening of distractions to hear Him more clearly. It’s a way to humble yourself, build up your spirit, and deepen your trust in God, all of which help strengthen your faith.
Engaging in Praise
Over the years I have discovered that praise is an incredible tool for building a strong, faith-filled mindset. I always remind myself about the scripture that says, “God inhabits the praises of His people” (Psalm 22:3). Literally, when you start praising Him, you invite His presence into your life in a special way.
I have encountered numerous situations that threatened to overwhelm me and to be honest there have been times I became really bogged down by the problems facing me.
However, I have seen miraculous shifts in my situation when I began to praise God, declaring His goodness and His power. Praise is now my go-to whether in a tough situation or just feeling grateful to God for all His benefits.
Praising God is a lifestyle practice that you can cultivate. Praise helps you see the bigger picture by shifting your focus to God’s character and His faithfulness. It’s a real act of faith to praise Him, especially when things aren’t going well. Learn the different words and gestures for praising God, you will realize that it gives you a boost, lifting your spirit and strengthening your faith.
Demonstrating Trust in Christ Jesus
The Bible encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not to rely on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). This goes to the core of cultivating a faith-filled mindset. It is recognizing that we have to let go of everything that we are trying to do based on our own knowledge and strength and looking to God to lead and direct our path.
I have come a long way in totally relinquishing my way of how I think things should go. My experiences with God, as my loving Father have led me to understand that trust is built by establishing and maintaining a deep and personal relationship with Him. Trust for me is about believing that God is true to His promises, even when things look grim. He can be relied on because He is working out everything for my good (Romans 8:28).
What does trusting God look like for you? Can you let go of your worries, your plans, and even your whole life, and place it all in His hands? You can build trust in God by being intentional in seeking him for provision, protection peace, comfort, and strength. You don’t have to sit back and hope that things will work out, you can set your mind on knowing that He will come through for you as he did before and therefore you can trust Him to work it out for you again.
Conclusion
Cultivating a faith-filled mindset is an ongoing process that involves aligning your thoughts, actions, and heart with God’s Word and will. By practicing these ten principles—having a positive mindset, exercising self-discipline, memorizing and meditating on Scripture, being thankful, prayerful, engaging in worship, fasting, praising, and trusting in Christ—you allow your faith to flourish and strengthen.
With God as the foundation of your life, your mindset will reflect His truth, enabling you to live a life marked by trust, hope, and unwavering faith.
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