Many times we pray and ask God for a blessing and we also sometimes make the mistake of believing that we are ready for that blessing. How do you know when you're ready?
You know that you're ready when you are no longer looking for the blessing but you are preparing for it. You know that you're ready when you start to dress yourself for where you're going and not where you currently are. You know that you're ready when you have shifted your thinking and you are no longer asking God for it but you are now thanking Him for what you know is already yours. When it comes to the blessings of God, you can only qualify by having a new mindset. Changing your mindset and shifting your thinking can transform your entire life. Your mindset determines your perception of the world. It is the lens that you view the world through.
I once heard a quote from Bishop TD Jakes that said "It is not the movement of the clock that produces newness of life, but it is the movement within your mind." This quote stopped me in my tracks and spoke to my soul. It was a reminder to me that you can make a mindset shift at any point of time in your life because the clock doesn't determine your change. Many people anticipate the new year by making New Year's resolutions but how many of those people actually stick to those resolutions? It's easy to set a goal based on time, but it's very difficult to remain committed to that goal without a renewed mindset. You can receive a new car, a new house, a new spouse, and even a new career, but if you do not receive a new mind, you will find some type of way to sabotage the blessing. This often happens because people bring their old way of thinking into new blessings. They believe the outer things will bring them the happiness that they desire but they forget that true happiness and fulfillment can only come from within.
Romans 12:2 tells us to "be not conformed to
this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." My favorite scripture!
In order to be completely ready for the blessing of God, there must be a renewing of your mindset. Often times, the blessing is already waiting for us and is fully prepared, but God cannot bless us because we have not taken the proper steps to shift our thinking. You must mentally receive the blessing long before it enters your hand. If you can see it and receive it in your mind, you can hold it in your hand! With God all things are possible.