*Romans 12:2*

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

 

Samuel Truett Cathy is remembered as the successful entrepreneur and founder of Chick-fil-A. Each Chick-fil-A makes more money per store than McDonalds, Starbucks, and Subway combined. One of their most successful meals, The Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich was born in the wake of an unexpected opportunity.

 

........"When one of my first two restaurants burned to the ground, I found myself with time on my hands and the availability to develop a new recipe.”

 

 

*4 steps to developing an opportunity mindset*

 

1. *EMBRACE THE PROBLEM*

 

The human tendency is to only address problems in two situations—when they’re easy to solve or when they’ve become too big to ignore. 

 

In 1 Sam. 17, armed with faith in God and not in his weapon, David embraced the problem by confronting Goliath. 

 

When you ignore your problems, you simultaneously ignore the opportunities buried within them!

 

 

2. *EXAMINE THE PROBLEM* 

 

To discover possibilities in our problems, we have to diagnose the problem. Embracing the problem forces you to deal with it , but examining the problem gets to the root cause. 

 

 

'1 Kings 3:16-28*

........24‭ Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.

 

‭‭..... 27 Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.... 

 

 

3. *EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES*

 

Once you’ve uncovered the root cause of your problem, start exploring the opportunity hidden within your problem. 

 

*Exodus 14:13-16*

‭‭Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. 

 

 

God sometimes brings us the long way because we are mentally, emotionally, and spiritually unprepared to face what awaits us along the short route. The obvious solution would have crushed the Israelites! 

 

 

4. *ENGAGE THE POSSIBILITY*

 

It’s not enough to discover the possibility; you must act on it. That’s when opportunity comes to life! 

 

*‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭2:17‭-‬18‬*

Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.

 

*Prayer Points*

 

1. Father, give me a heart that is open to your direction and ears that listen to your instructions. 

 

2. Father restore every opportunity that I have lost as a result of ignoring the problem. Every door that has been shut because of my mindset, open in Jesus name! 

 

3. Pray that God will give you the patience clarity of mind needed to look beyond the surface, to seek him for guidance to great possibilities in your life. 

 

4. Father, give me the wisdom to engage with the possibilities You have shown me. Empower me to take concrete steps towards the vision You have laid on my heart

 

5. Ask God to open your eyes to see setbacks not as the end but as opportunities for His glory to shine .