“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
– Romans 12:2 (ESV)
There’s a particular kind of frustration that creeps in when your effort doesn’t match your outcomes. You’ve done the planning. You’ve put in the work. You’re saying all the right affirmations. You keep telling yourself, “This is my year.” And yet… the needle barely moves.
It feels like chasing vapor—close enough to touch but impossible to hold.
I’ve seen this play out in the lives of talented, purpose-driven people—leaders, creatives, professionals—good-hearted folks who want more but keep circling the same mountain. Burnt out. Underwhelmed. Disoriented. I’ve lived it too.
And over time, I’ve come to understand the uncomfortable truth: the issue isn’t usually the goal—it’s the gap between who you are and what you’re asking life (or God) to give you.
Becoming Before Receiving
Most people want a breakthrough without a breaking. We want the fruit, but not the rootwork. The reality, however, is both spiritual and psychological: you don’t get what you want—you get who you are.
It’s not enough to desire success, purpose, love, impact. You must become the kind of person who can carry those things without crumbling beneath their weight.
If that sounds unfair or heavy, stay with me. You will find hope as you reflect on this truth.
God designed us not just to receive blessings, but to become the kind of people who can steward those blessings well. As Jesus taught in Luke 16:10, “Whoever is faithful in little will also be faithful in much.” Character is the container for calling.
Let me give you a picture.
Imagine trying to drive a high-performance sports car with the engine of a tricycle. It doesn’t matter how shiny the outside is—it won’t take you where you want to go. The same applies to life: your external aspirations need internal alignment. Otherwise, you’ll either stall or crash.
The Mind Is Where It Starts
That’s why Paul’s words in Romans 12:2 strike such a chord:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
The Greek word for “transformed” here is metamorphoo—the same root word used to describe Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration and the process by which a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.
This isn’t surface change. It’s deep, cellular-level transformation. Not just about doing things differently—but thinking, perceiving, valuing differently.
Before you can become anything new on the outside, something has to shift on the inside.
And here’s where many of us miss it: we try to drag old mindsets into new seasons. We want divine doors to open while holding onto beliefs shaped by fear, comparison, scarcity, or unworthiness. But you cannot enter a new dimension with old software.
Many people chase upgrades in lifestyle when what they need is an upgrade in mindset. Steward the root and the fruit will follow. Share on XJesus said it this way:
“No one pours new wine into old wineskins. The new wine would swell and burst the old skins. Then the wine would be lost, and the skins would be ruined. New wine must be put only into new wineskins.” (Luke 5:37-38 CEV)
You’re Always Becoming Something
A mentor once asked me, “Who are you becoming through all this activity?”
At the time, I was overwhelmed with tasks—good tasks, meaningful even—but I felt empty, like I was moving fast in the wrong direction. That question pierced me. I’d never thought to measure success by identity formation.
We often measure life by outcomes: How much did I earn? What have I achieved? Where do I live? Who do I know?
All of those things are good but they don’t reflect the full picture.
In the kingdom of God, we are invited to measure life not by what we’re doing or what we have but by what we are becoming: Am I more loving? More peaceful? More rooted? More like Christ?
2 Corinthians 3:18 says it beautifully:
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another…”
The question isn’t whether you’re changing—it’s who you’re becoming. Every habit, thought, and response is shaping your future self. Share on XYou’re always becoming something. The question is: what are you becoming?
The Illusion of Quick Fixes
We live in a world that worships speed—rapid results, overnight fame, instant downloads. But transformation is slow. It requires repetition, rest, reflection. Like the caterpillar in the cocoon, you must enter hidden spaces, endure discomfort, and trust a process that doesn’t always show immediate results.
That’s not glamorous.
But it’s divine.
Jesus didn’t rush. When He began His public ministry at 30, He had already spent years in quiet development—growing in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52), apprenticing under His earthly father, communing with His Heavenly Father.
If the Son of God wasn’t in a hurry, why are we?
Let’s Talk About You
So where does this leave you?
Maybe you’re reading this and nodding along. You feel like you’ve tried everything. You’ve set the goals, bought the planners, listened to the podcasts. And yet, here you are—wondering why your life feels like a treadmill instead of a trail.
Let me ask you:
- Who are you becoming through your daily habits?
- What kind of mindset do you carry into each opportunity?
- Are you preparing for the life you say you want—or just hoping it magically appears?
This isn’t to shame you—it’s to awaken you.
You are not stuck. You’re just being invited to go deeper.
You may feel buried, but you’re really planted. Transformation often happens underground, long before anyone sees the bloom. Share on XThe Mindset of a Steward
The person you want to become will not be microwaved into existence. You must cultivate that identity like a gardener—faithfully, patiently, attentively.
Here’s what that mindset looks like in practice:
1. Curiosity Over Cynicism: Instead of saying, “This isn’t working,” ask, “What can I learn from this?”
2. Responsibility Over Resentment: Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start with what you have. You’re not powerless.
3. Obedience Over Outcome: You may not control the fruit, but you can control the seed. Sow in faith. Water with consistency. Let God bring the harvest.
Galatians 6:9 reminds us:
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Mindset Shifts That Lead to Real Transformation
Let’s go practical. Below are five key mindset shifts that will carry you forward:
| Limiting Belief | Liberating Truth |
| “I’ll be happy when…” | “I can live with purpose now, even while I grow.” |
| “I need more time, money, or connections.” | “I’ll start with what I have, trusting God to multiply it.” |
| “I failed before, so I’m not cut out for this.” | “Every failure has prepared me for a better future.” |
| “I’m stuck.” | “I’m becoming.” |
| “I should be further along.” | “God’s timing is perfect. My growth is sacred, not rushed.” |
Let these truths settle in your heart. Write them down. Speak them out loud. Replace the old soundtrack with a new one rooted in grace and truth.
When your mind aligns with truth, your life begins to follow suit. No goal-setting strategy can replace the power of inner transformation. Share on XStart Now
Let me encourage you:
You already have everything you need to start becoming who God created you to be.
You don’t need one more certification or one more external validation. You only need a willing heart, an open mind, and the courage to show up for the inner work.
Here’s how you can begin:
- Start each day with truth.
Read the Bible. Meditate on one verse. Let God’s Word shape your thoughts. - Ask yourself: Who am I becoming today?
This one question can reorient your priorities and reshape your actions. - Replace hustle with presence.
Make space for stillness. God does His deepest work in silence. - Surround yourself with growth-minded people.
Mindset is contagious. Walk with the wise. - Commit to the long game.
True transformation requires faith and patience. It’s like having a baby; you cannot get pregnant and deliver immediately. There’s a gestation period.
You’re Not Alone
The beautiful thing about transformation is that it’s never meant to be done alone. God walks with you. His Spirit empowers you. His grace carries you when you’re tired.
Philippians 1:6 reminds us:
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
You’re not a finished product. You’re a sacred work-in-progress. And the God who started this journey in you is faithful to finish it.
So take a deep breath.
Let go of the pressure.
Embrace the process.
And remember: transformation doesn’t begin with what you do. It begins with who you believe you are becoming.
Let that truth guide your next step.