Research Paper

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Life is difficult.  It has taken me a long time to finally figure that out.  It’s not a cake walk.  But God did not intend it to be.  He states, “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” (1)

The question, “If God loves me, why this?” is an age old question.  Many have wondered this.  I would go so far as to say everyone one point and time in their lives asks this question.  I know I have more than once.  I have had many trials. 

Smart people view trials as an opportunity to learn and grow.  Others see them as stupid and a waste of their time.  Why is this?  In the book Mindset by Carol S. Sweck explains that people have two ways to view yourself.  Whichever way you choose profoundly affects you and your life.  The two ways are what she calls the fixed mindset and growth mindset. 

People who have the view of the fixed mindset are those why think everything is set in stone.  In education, these people view themselves as smart or stupid.  As most people have too much pride to admit that they are stupid, the majority like to think they are educated.  Public schools and colleges give inflation to people’s perception of their worth. 

I know personally many adults who think that once they are done with college, they are finished in their education.  They believe that because they have a piece of paper called a diploma they are smart. 

But Dr. Akanisi, who is the Dean of Arts, Law and Education at the University of New England, Australia,(2) disagrees. “We know education does not end with our schooling or training – it is a lifelong process therefore everyone must continue to learn.”(3)  Louis L’Amour agrees with this in his autobiography, The Education of a Wandering Man. 

Sweck goes on to say in her book that the people who have the fixed mindset need to be constantly reassured of their self-worth.  If something proves difficult, then it simply can’t be done.  As part of her research she studied grade school children who were given a puzzle to do.  Most children loved the easy puzzles.  As each child finished the first puzzle, they were given another one.  Each puzzle was progressively harder and harder.  She observed that some children grew excited about the challenge, while others got discouraged.  Why is that?  She says that it is because of the way they viewed themselves. 

The people who she says have the growth mindset don’t love trials.  But they understand and have the wisdom to know that the experiences will be for their good.  “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.”(4)  God tells us here that we need to be patient.  People with the growth mindset just have the persistence to keep trying.

Why is it important to know about the two different mindsets?  Because once we understand the way we see the world, we can begin the process of self-improvement.  The Lord expects us to try to improve ourselves during our time on this earth.  “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.  And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.”(5)

If we see that we view ourselves in the fixed mindset, I would hope that everyone would take a quite minute to meditate and see if they can shift their way of thinking.  I know as I’ve read Mindset I have taken a few moments to collect my thoughts, to see what I could do to become better.  One purpose of this book I believe is to bring awareness to a problem.  Once people are aware of a problem, they will try to fix it. 

Having the growth mindset doesn’t take away the trials.  It makes them a little easier to bear.  There are some trials that truly are great burdens.  Sometimes we need to trust and rely on God to take care of everything.  His son, Jesus Christ has already felt our anguish, trials, pains, tribulations.  “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. 12 And he will take upon him death that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” (6)

We need to trust in His plan for us.  We need to have faith.  It may be hard, but it will be worth it.  I believe having faith in God and trusting Him to take care of things go hand in hand.

What is faith?  This is a question that many people struggle with.  Many simply don’t believe that there is a god at all.  They proclaim themselves as atheists.  One claim of some atheists that I know of is that humans are the supreme beings in the universe; that there is no other species, or other people on any other known planet. 

Here are some scriptures that define faith: “And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.“(7) and “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (8)