The new year for many folks marks new beginnings.  We set goals.  We dream.  We make resolutions.

There is one thing, however, that all goals, dreams, and resolutions must have in order to succeed:  A solid foundation.

Think of the foundation for your home or apartment building.  It's probably not visible to your naked eye, but you'd guess it's made of something sturdy like concrete or rock. 

But wait.  What purpose do foundations serve?  Why do we need them?
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In an attempt not to let Covid become the center of my attention or impact my  mindset and attitudes these days, I've been practicing what I call a MINDSET SWITCH.    

There was a day not too long ago when I found myself wearing the dratted "COVID CLOAK" -- Let's just say this cloak is heavy and quite uncomfortable.  It really doesn't fit me well at all.  

With God's help, I became determined to exchange this clunky Covid Cloak (or mindset) for a garment of PRAISE, THANKSGIVING, and REJOICING! 

It's a relatively simple strategy I can employ when I feel overwhelmed or aggravated with all things Covid.   It's not just mind-over-matter or positive thinking, but rather it's a practical, God-honoring approach that  you and I both can take during these trying times! 

I started asking myself a series of questions that propelled me into a higher gear and fueled my purpose and calling.  I've found renewed energy and joy--even during this season of Covid--and you can, too!  

These are the 18 QUESTIONS I ask myself regularly AND  have used for a few journal prompts:

It's no secret that God reveals Himself in many, many ways . . . . from how His creation declares His glory to how His great love for us put His Only Begotten Son on a cross to die for us.

God reveals Himself to us through His Word. We can truly get to know Him better by examining His many names.  Names?  Yep!

I'm not sure exactly how many names God and Jesus have, but I've learned that these names indicate an aspect of Their characters and perhaps some attribute that I might not have considered before.  Often individuals called God a particular name in the Old Testament based on a specific experience, event, or place and in reference to God's actions or how He literally  demonstrated Himself to His children.

For example...

Can you guess that poet and song writer who demonstrated this unique expressive technique in his writing time and time again where he switched his complaint to praise?   He begins his outpouring with complaint, a recounting of injustices, and a complete exposure of his feelings and emotions.

But then he switches gears, engaging instead the mindset of praise.  

Did you say David of the Bible?  You're right!

You've probably heard of the attitude of gratitude, where we look for that silver lining in even the most grim of situations. 

• My car won't start.  [Well, at least I have a car!]
• The internet is out.  [I have other options to connect online.]
• I was injured in an auto accident. [My life was spared.  I have more work on this earth to do.  I have medical and health care at my disposal.]

You get the picture.  Fostering this attitude allows us to quickly give count of the reality of a situation and shortly after to notice and give brain waves over to the otherwise fortunate side of the situation.  We train our brains to process hardship against the backdrop of gratitude and giving thanks.

But the mindset of praise goes a step further.  It's the constant mental pursuit to recall and recount God's qualities and characteristics despite persecution, hardship, and trial. ​

We can demonstrate an attitude of praise by habit.   And developing this habit is fairly easy.