originally victoria — unfiltered blog

Mindset… wow wowww, have I truly learned what it means to shift it. To step back and see the bigger picture. To place myself in someone else’s shoes. To think not just one step ahead, but twenty. My dad has always told me that every action has a reaction and every decision carries a consequence — and I’m finally starting to understand the depth of that.

I knew I wanted to write a blog about mindset, but I’m not even sure where to begin. There’s so much to unpack and cover. It’s such a broad, layered topic. Still, maybe the best place to start is with the 12 disciples.

Most people think impact belongs to the loud, the polished, the followed. We assume changing the world requires a platform, confidence, or some rare kind of spiritual strength. But Jesus changed the world through twelve people who were still figuring themselves out. They weren’t impressive. They were inconsistent. They misunderstood Jesus often, argued with each other, and panicked under pressure. Peter denied Him. Thomas doubted Him. Others scattered when things got dangerous. Yet these are the ones Scripture later describes as having “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). Not because they were extraordinary—but because they were willing. Jesus never waited for them to feel ready. He told them to go anyway (Matthew 28:19–20). Their obedience announced their future before they ever stepped into it. Every time they chose to follow when it was uncomfortable, they were letting the future know they were coming. And Jesus didn’t tell them to sit still until He returned. He told them to occupy till He comes (Luke 19:13). That meant living like the Kingdom mattered now. Speaking truth when it cost them. Loving people who were overlooked. Stewarding what they were given instead of burying it out of fear.

What is a mindset? It’s more than just a way of thinking—it’s the quiet force behind every decision we make, every reaction we have, and even the way we see the world. Your mindset shapes how you respond to challenges, how you persevere through pain, and how you grow when life doesn’t go as planned. A healthy and strong mindset isn’t comfortable—it’s supposed to be uncomfortable. It should push you beyond what feels safe. It should challenge your limits, stretch your patience, and confront your fears. Growth rarely comes from staying in the familiar; it comes when you lean into the discomfort, embrace the struggle, and allow it to transform you. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf said it like this “If your dreams don’t scare you they are not big enough”.

Let me vent, but also testify real quick. 2026 has been a year that has felt like the pits—like one blow after another keeps coming, and there’s barely time to catch my breath. I’ve struggled. I’ve been angry, hurt, and frustrated. I’ve had to grieve in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve faced losses I never thought I’d experience. I’ve had dreams and plans fall apart, hopes delayed, and disappointments pile up like waves I can’t outrun. The list goes on, and honestly, some days it feels endless.

But even in the middle of it all, I’ve started to see something shift. I’ve realized that every heartbreak, every setback, every moment of feeling small or defeated—it’s shaping me. It’s teaching me resilience. It’s teaching me patience. And even when I can’t see the full picture, I know I’m being molded into someone stronger, wiser, and more compassionate.

I know a lot of people like to say things like, “There’s nothing to be stressed about,” or “Life is great, life is calm,” but let’s be real—no one ever promised life would be easy. Life is hard. Life is messy. Life is a lesson in itself. It’s unpredictable, and we never truly know what tomorrow will bring. But as cliché as it sounds, we serve the One who holds tomorrow in His hands. That truth doesn’t erase the struggle, but it gives us a place to rest in the chaos—Philippians 4:7. People who act like life has no stress are often missing something important. They may be avoiding their feelings, pretending everything is fine, or just not knowing how to process the weight of reality. Ignoring pain doesn’t make it disappear—it only delays the work that needs to be done inside. Real growth comes from facing stress, confronting disappointment, and learning to trust God even when the path is unclear. That’s maturity. That’s wisdom.

Through the pains of 2026, instead of isolating myself, shutting down, believing the lies of the enemy, or giving up, I’ve learned to turn my frustration into fuel. One of the ways I’ve done that is through the gym. Now, don’t get it twisted—I’ve been in the gym and active my whole life but really consistent and serious since January 2025. However, for the past two months, I’ve pushed myself in ways I didn’t think I could. Consistency alone wasn’t enough before. For over a year, I went to the gym more out of habit than purpose. I kept the same weights, went through the motions, and treated it as a box to check to “stay in shape.” My growth had been stagnant.

The stress and struggles I’ve faced these past two months have reshaped me in ways I didn’t expect. My mindset, my focus, my gaze, and my perspective have all shifted. I’m my daddy’s daughter—I’ve always had a fight in me. I’ve always been the one to get my hands dirty, the one who refuses to take “no” for an answer. If someone tells me it can’t be done, I say, “Sit back and watch me.” If excuses are given, I respond, “Watch this.” For so long, I carried an “I don’t need anyone” mindset—the idea that I could do everything on my own. But that’s pride. That’s arrogance. That’s not healthy.

I’m the type of person who feels mentally off if I miss a gym day. But the Lord has been showing me why I fight so hard and why I’ve been so determined—not just to lift more weight, but to push past my fear and doubt. For a year, my progress was minimal because my mindset was rooted in insecurity: thinking I was weaker than I was, thinking I needed a spotter for everything, thinking I couldn’t. And that same mindset has carried over into life. How many times have I talked myself out of opportunities? How many times have I been disobedient or hesitant, only to face detours and delays, when a shifted mindset could have taken me further faster?

Fear gives the enemy access. Compromise gives him ground. But obedience shuts doors. When the disciples stopped partnering with fear, the enemy could no longer stop what God was doing through them. What followed wasn’t comfort—it was multiplication. Acts records it again and again: people were added, disciples multiplied, the Word spread (Acts 2:41; 5:14; 6:7). God multiplied what the disciples were willing to use. They risked it. They spent it. They trusted God with the outcome. And that same principle applies to us today. When we stop letting fear dictate our choices, when we step out in obedience, God can do more through us than we ever imagined.

Now, I understand that God’s timing is perfect and that everything happens for a reason. But I also can’t overlook that so many of our battles are self-inflicted because of the limitations we place on ourselves. The enemy whispers lies, but the truth is—our own mindset can be the greatest obstacle to the growth, opportunities, and breakthroughs God has already set before us. And when we allow Him to realign our thoughts, there’s no limit to what we can endure, overcome, and become.

Through this journey of shifting my mind, last week I was able to max out on weight that just a few months ago sounded impossible to me. I was telling my parents the other day, I feel like if I learn one more thing about life, myself, or the Word of God, my brain might just explode. The lessons I’ve learned in these past few months have been out of this world. But let me tell you—I’ve never had this kind of boldness and confidence in myself like I do right now.

Confidence? Yeah, I have my days of insecurity, just like everyone else. But I’ve learned something crucial: I am not defined by what anyone else says or thinks. People project what’s inside of them—their pain, their insecurities. I know my worth. I know I am made in God’s image. And even if someone has something to say to me or about me, it says more about them than it does about me.

I refuse to stay where I am. I refuse to let another year pass only to end it the way it started. Doors won’t open if I keep tucking my tail, worried about the “what ifs.” I’d rather fail than stay stagnant, because at least failing motivates me to get back up and try again. Stagnancy is comfort. Stagnancy is playing small. If you want more than you’ve had before, you have to give something you’ve never given before. You have to risk, you have to push, you have to trust God with the outcome—and let your mindset match the life you’re reaching for.

Within just two months, I’ve hit lifting goals that felt impossible only a few months ago. I’ve built up my resume, attended leadership meetings, networked, and seen doors open for my career path—doors I’ve been praying for months. So when I say God’s timing doesn’t always make sense, but it is everything, I mean it. I’ve had to let go of my timeline, my will, and my ideas of how and when things should happen. You hear all those “me’s”? That’s pride and entitlement, lol. I have finally understood to prioritize me. The husband will come, the children will come, the Lord will reveal my “ministry” when its right, but for right now, I am being content in this shift. I will never get these days back. I want the best for me. That’s not selfish thats trusting God wholeheartedly no matter what happens. I’ve realized that everything else will fall into place when it’s supposed to. How it will happen? That’s beyond me. But what I do know is that I’ve seen God’s work over and over again. It’s not luck, it’s not coincidence—it’s Jesus doing what He does best. And when you trust Him, even when you don’t see the full picture, you start to notice how faithfully He aligns the pieces of your life exactly as they’re meant to be.

One of the blows that hit me slap in the face the past 2 months, I was told I have to have shoulder surgery in May. After everything I just told you about—the hard work I’ve put in at the gym, the internships, the doors finally starting to open, the momentum I felt building—how hard do you think it was for me to accept that I’d be out of commission and in recovery for six months? When the doctor said I wouldn’t be back to where I am right now until this time next year, my mind went straight to defeat. I was in the “milly grubs” for weeks. My thoughts sank to what felt like the depths of the earth. I had to face a harsh reality: I would need help brushing my hair, getting dressed, I couldn’t work out, and I had to rest. I would have to step back from responsibilities at church for a little while. I have to let people help me. I have to step away from my jobs. In the moment, it felt like my independence, my drive, everything I had been building, was suddenly on pause. But over time, I got a grip and realized the power in the pause; in REST. I started to see the greatness that could come from this setback. The comeback, when it happens, will be powerful. And it all comes back to mindset: the way we frame our struggles, the way we respond to setbacks, the way we let God shape us in the waiting.

If twelve ordinary people—full of fear, doubt, and failure—could change the world by saying yes fully to God, then your life is not small. These disciples weren’t perfect. They stumbled, argued, ran, and made mistakes. They didn’t have fancy titles, massive influence, or all the answers. But they said yes. They showed up, they obeyed, and they trusted God with what they couldn’t see. And because of that yes, the world was changed forever. Your life, with all its daily struggles, setbacks, and moments of doubt, has the same potential. The challenges, the failures, the times you feel small or overlooked—they’re not the end of the story. Your yes to showing up, to facing life boldly, to trusting God even when it’s messy, could be the spark that multiplies far beyond what you can imagine.

I recently had a friend from our young adult community pass away in a car accident, and it absolutely wrecked me. To know he was in his 20s, with a full life ahead of him—it shook me to my core. Questions flooded my mind: Why did the Lord take him so soon? But alongside the grief, it also ignited a fire inside me. Life is too short to play small—not only limiting yourself but limiting God and His abilities in your life.

Take the uncomfortable leap. It’s scary. It’s hard. But how else do you think you’re going to grow? How else are you going to make a name for yourself? How else are you going to build a legacy? It either starts or continues with you. Of course, some days are tough—you don’t have the motivation or energy to get out of bed. But did you know scientifically it takes more muscles to frown than to smile? So smile, family. I know it’s hard. Trust me, I get it. The other day, I faked a smile for so long that I literally broke down. I’m not telling you anything I don’t wrestle with myself. I’m sharing this because we need to hold each other accountable.

If we don’t lift each other up like they did for Moses, we will all crumble. We need each other. We weren’t made to carry the weight alone. Lean on your community. Encourage someone. Pray for someone. Be present. The love, support, and strength we give each other can be the very thing that keeps us standing when life feels like it’s collapsing around us.

Here’s the truth: your mindset shapes everything—how you see yourself, how you respond to challenges, and how far you’ll go in life. Fear will try to stop you, doubt will whisper lies, and life will hit hard—but your mindset determines whether you rise or fall. Choose to see beyond the pain. Choose to step into the discomfort. Say yes when it’s scary. Fight when it’s hard. Smile when it hurts. Trust when you don’t understand. Lift yourself, lift each other, and guard your thoughts, because your mind is the battlefield where breakthroughs are born. You were never meant to blend in. You were meant to move—and when your mindset aligns with God’s truth, there’s no telling how far you’ll go or the impact your life will leave behind.