Mindset Matters
- Henley Samuel

- Oct 18
- 5 min read
October 18, 2025

Today, let's explore how our mindset shapes our spiritual journey. When challenges arise, where we set our focus determines our outcome. Just as concrete hardens after being poured, our thoughts solidify into patterns that direct our lives.
Setting Your Face Toward God
When King Jehoshaphat faced overwhelming opposition, his response reveals a powerful principle:
"Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah." - 2 Chronicles 20:3
Rather than surrendering to fear, he deliberately focused his attention on God. This "setting" of the mind is crucial. The word "mindset" itself reveals this truth, it's about where we set our minds. You need to set your face upon God, you cannot go this side and that side. You need to be like concrete. Once you set your mindset, that's why they call it mindset.
Just as concrete begins in fluid form but hardens into something immovable, our thoughts eventually solidify into patterns that determine our actions and responses.
The Concrete of Your Mind
The concept of mindset is powerfully illustrated through the image of concrete:
"Mindset it's like a concrete, they bring the big truck filled with cements and they pour the concrete into the foundation and they will wait for this to set in couple of hours the cement will set but once it's set that's it it's really hard and it cannot be taken out easily.
Our thoughts begin like fluid cement - flexible and moldable. But over time, they harden into fixed patterns that become difficult to change:
"Previously it was like a liquid form, it's kind of a fluid and you can put any shapes you want when it's in a fluid form but once it's set you cannot change it."
This is why we must be intentional about where we direct our focus:
The same way you need to set your face upon God, you cannot change, you cannot go this side and that side. You need to be like a concrete once you put the mindset, and that's why they call it as mindset. It depends on where you set it.
The danger comes when we allow our minds to set on fear instead of faith:
If you set your mind on fear what happens? You will put a concrete of fear and if you don't take it quickly what happens? The fluid will set in your mind and then it's become hard. You don't want to set your mind with fear.
Breaking these hardened patterns of fearful thinking requires significant effort:
If you have a mindset of fear then we need to break that old concrete, it's really hard to break those cement concrete, you need to bring the driller, you need to take it all out. So that's why we are calling as renewal of mind.
The Prayer of Connection
Jehoshaphat's prayer demonstrates how to connect our challenges to God's character and promises:
"Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you." - 2 Chronicles 20:6
He acknowledged God's sovereignty first, recognizing that while he might be king, God is the King of kings. Then he continued by recalling God's faithfulness:
"Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?" - 2 Chronicles 20:7
Jehoshaphat related his current problem directly to God's past promises. He didn't just cry out about his circumstances; he connected his situation to God's covenant.
Breaking Old Patterns
Many of us have allowed fear to harden in our minds like concrete. These thought patterns require intentional breaking. If you have a mindset of fear, then we need to break that old concrete, we are clearing the concrete built on fear and removing it, and parallel we are putting the concrete of faith. This is the essence of renewing our minds. We must actively demolish the hardened patterns of fearful thinking while simultaneously building new foundations based on God's truth.
Relating Problems to God's Promises
When facing illness, financial struggles, or any challenge, we can follow Jehoshaphat's pattern. When sickness comes, you have to say, 'Lord, this cannot be in my body because you have said by your stripes we were healed, I am the Temple of the Living God.
This is how David approached Goliath. He didn't see a personal challenge but a spiritual one:
"How dare this man without Covenant can stand against me, uncircumcised Goliath? I have the Covenant with God."
David connected his battle to God's covenant promises rather than focusing on his own abilities or limitations.
Truth That Sets You Free
Freedom comes in the specific areas where we've allowed God's truth to solidify in our thinking. If we set our minds on God's promises of healing, we'll experience freedom in healing. If we set our minds on His provision, we'll walk in financial freedom.
Conclusion
Our mindset truly determines our destiny. Just as concrete hardens into a permanent foundation, our thoughts solidify into patterns that either limit or liberate us. Today, make a conscious decision to break the hardened concrete of fear, doubt, and negativity that may have set in your mind.
Remember Jehoshaphat's example. When surrounded by enemies, he deliberately set his face toward God rather than fixating on the problem. This is the essence of spiritual transformation. By relating your challenges directly to God's promises, you position yourself to receive His wisdom and strength.
The truth you know and embrace will set you free. When you set your mind on God's healing, you'll experience freedom in healing. When you set your mind on His provision, you'll walk in abundance. When you set your mind on His peace, you'll remain steady in the storm.
Let your mindset today be filled with God's promises, His love, His power, and His anointing. As you renew your mind daily through His Word, you'll find that the concrete of faith becomes stronger than any obstacle you face.
Reflect on This
In what areas of your life have you allowed fear to harden like concrete, and how can you begin breaking those patterns?
How might relating your current challenges directly to God's promises change your perspective?
Prayer
Father, I thank You for showing me the power of where I set my mind. Today I choose to set my face toward You rather than my problems. Break the hardened concrete of fear in my thinking and replace it with the solid foundation of faith. I declare that my mindset will be filled with Your promises, Your love, and Your power. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Key Takeaways
Your mindset matters because it determines where you place your focus during challenges.
When fear comes, intentionally "set your face" to seek God rather than dwelling on the problem.
Connect your problems directly to God's promises in Scripture.
Breaking patterns of fearful thinking requires daily renewal of your mind.
Freedom comes in the areas where you've set your mind on God's truth.
All content on this blog is the property of Henley Samuel Ministries. For permissions or inquiries regarding the use of any material, please contact us at contact@henleysamuel.org.
To dive deeper into this powerful message, watch the full sermon on our YouTube video below.




Comments