Another Way of Thinking

Reading: Isaiah 43–44; Psalm 109
Key Verse: Isaiah 43:19 — “For I am about to do something new… I will make a pathway through the wilderness.”

Personal Reflection
Isaiah 44 exposes the absurdity of idol‑making—burning half a block of wood for fire and bowing to the rest. It’s easy to think, “How foolish!” Yet we often do the same. We cling to our own ideas, our own plans, our own limited perspective. Our minds close, and we cannot see the foolishness of our thinking.

As leaders, this is especially dangerous. We can become rigid, convinced our way is the only way. Or we can fail to make a decision out of fear, not able to see any good outcome. Those we lead can do the same—resisting guidance, defending their own vision, or reacting out of fear. In these moments, I hear the words of one of our teachers from missions training, “May I suggest another way of thinking?”

Scripture Insight
God confronts our self‑made thinking with His sovereignty:

• “I made you… I will not forget you.” (Isaiah 44:21–22)
• “I am the LORD, who made all things.” (Isaiah 44:24)

We stare at our own “creations,” ideas, vision, but God says, “I am doing something new.” He creates rivers in wastelands and pathways in wilderness (Isaiah 43:19–20). This is what He wants to do in our minds—new pathways, new clarity, new perspective.

• Job experienced a new vision threw being stretched: “I had only heard about you… now I have seen you.” (Job 42:5–6)
• Peter declares, “there is wonderful joy ahead,” through the refining fire. Peter assures us that the stretch will produces genuine faith (1 Peter 1:6–7).

At times, leaders experience the words of the Psalmist:

• “They repay evil for good… even as I am praying for them.” (Psalm 109:3–5)

But, when we embrace the stretch, and believe as David did, that even these come from the hand of God, we CAN respond with:

• “Let them curse… but you will bless me… I will go right on rejoicing!” (Psalm 109:26–31)
• “I will give repeated thanks, praising him to everyone!” (Psalm 109:30)

Application

• Ask God to expose rigid or self‑made thinking.
• Invite Him to create “new pathways” in your mind that are able to explore other ways of thinking.
• Lead courageously even when decisions bring resistance.
• Choose rejoicing over resentment, trusting God’s refining work.

Prayer
Father, open my eyes to see where my thinking has grown narrow. Create new pathways in my mind and lead me into Your perspective. Give me courage to lead wisely, humbly, and joyfully—even when it brings resistance. Do something new in me, Lord. I am listening.