Dear John,

It took me 42 years to connect the dots and figure out the ideal mindset.

When I was 13 years old I claimed James 1:2-3 as my life verse.

James 1: 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various [c]trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [d]endurance.

What is amazing to me is that when I was 13 I had almost a perfect childhood and had really never had a significant trial. Why did I pick this verse?

This week I began to consider Dad’s life verse, Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 And we know that [a]God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Connecting the dots.

Dad’s primary message was very simple. It’s not what happens to you but rather how you respond to what happens to you that is the most important thing.

So what is the ideal mindset?

Here is what I choose to believe.

Things are going to happen in my life that I don’t like that are damaging, harmful, and meant to take me down. I am going to try things and give it my all and yet in many cases I will fail. And yet, I know without a doubt that what the evil one meant for harm, God will cause it to work for good, and I will be stronger for it and better able to fulfill my purpose.

Rather than a spirit of fear, timidity, and fragility I choose to relish trials, embrace failure, and grow through the process. I choose to be anti-fragile.

I Choose To Win!

Tom