31 Days: Pathway to Perseverance - Innovational or Immovable

If you have ever watched the television show, MacGyver, you have a good understanding of the saying "necessity is the mother of invention."  Mac saves the day by using ordinary objects in new ways.  His ability to think beyond the fixed definition of items within his grasp, inspire young scientists and inventors, but mostly he motivates his team of crime fighters. Even in the most dire of circumstances, if Mac has just a moment or two to idealize, he will craft an escape and they will be safe for another day.

I remember learning about a term used in psychology called functional fixedness.  It is a cognitive process that prevents one from being able to see anything but a singular, fixed use. Not only is creativity stifled, but it can effect our desire to persevere.  We simply give up because we can't see another way out or we become so fixed that we are immovable.

I think there is a risk that life patterns we establish can create a sort of functional fixedness. In Romans 7:19, Paul expresses his sadness over his failure. He wants to do good, but instead he does the opposite and it breaks his heart. Like the rest of us, he needs the grace and power of Christ to be free of a never ending redo loop.

God is the source of creativity.  He desires to have a relationship with you that is exciting and filled with endless possibilities. If you feel that you are more immovable than innovational, ask God to help you see beyond your current circumstances and to give you a burst of creativity.



 





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