In many instances, people share stories of how they “braved the odds” or acted “against all odds” to achieve success. In my life, I have so many stories of this kind of success. For instance, when my father died in 1989, I braved the odds to sponsor myself through two years of high school. Against all odds, I worked hard to obtain university degrees through home study even if I failed to progress to university after completing high school. In my career, I endured years of hard work to climb the ladder starting from a clerical position rising to a senior management position. This is called the “against all odds” mindset which Jesus exemplified to AAA⁺ level.

However, what we often do not realize is that behind the “against all odds” mindset is another powerful mindset which I am calling a “Because of Mindset.” It is regrettable that many people use the negative side of this mindset. They use it to justify why they can’t, and some use it to harbour hatred, fear, anxieties. Remember the man who hid his talent because of the perception he had about his master? Remember the man who used this mindset to justify why he stayed with an infirmity by the pool for 38 years? Remember how Moses wanted to use this mindset to decline God’s call.

But what if we approached our challenges not just as obstacles to be overcome, but as opportunities to propel us forward? What if we used our experiences as a catalyst for progress, not just despite them, but because of them? Jesus teaches us that when you find a strong “because”, you can use obstacles and challenges to fuel your “against all odds” mindset. Because of the joy that was set before him, Jesus endured the cross, despised the shame, and he was eventually set at the right hand of the throne of God.

The “Because of Mindset” is a powerful way to approach challenges and adversity in life. Instead of just focusing on overcoming obstacles, it encourages us to see our experiences as opportunities to grow, learn, and make a positive impact. It’s about using our experiences as a catalyst for progress and using them to fuel our passion and drive. I hope you find it helpful in your own life! In this post, we’ll profile two notable people who have done just that, shaping our world “because of” what they experienced or went through in their lives.

1. Malala Yousafzai – Education Activist

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani education activist who gained worldwide recognition after surviving an assassination attempt by the Taliban in 2012. At just 11 years old, Malala began speaking out about the importance of education for girls in Pakistan. Her advocacy led to death threats and, ultimately, the assassination attempt that left her with life-threatening injuries.

But rather than being silenced by the attack, Malala used it as a platform to continue her activism on an even larger scale. She founded the Malala Fund, which works to provide girls around the world with access to education and became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2014 at the age of 17.

Malala’s experience didn’t just shape her own life but has had a profound impact on the lives of countless others. Her “because of” mindset turned a traumatic event into a catalyst for progress, inspiring others to join her cause and creating real change in the world.

2. Stephen Hawking – Physicist and Author

Stephen Hawking was a British theoretical physicist and author who made groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of the universe. He was diagnosed with a motor neuron disease at the age of 21, which gradually left him paralyzed and unable to speak. Despite this, he continued to work on his research and writing using a speech-generating device.

Hawking’s experience with disability shaped not only his life but his work, leading him to make significant contributions to our understanding of black holes, the Big Bang, and the nature of time itself. He authored numerous books, including the bestselling “A Brief History of Time,” which made complex concepts in physics accessible to a wider audience.

Hawking’s “because of” mindset allowed him to continue pursuing his passion despite his physical limitations, leading to groundbreaking discoveries and inspiring others to do the same.

In conclusion, the “because of” mindset can be a powerful tool for achieving success in the face of adversity. Malala Yousafzai and Stephen Hawking are just two examples of people who have used their experiences as a catalyst for progress, inspiring others to join them in creating positive change in the world. So, the next time you’re facing a challenge, try approaching it with a “because of” mindset and see where it takes you. Malala Yousafzai and Stephen Hawking, both exemplify the “because of” mindset. Their experiences and challenges didn’t stop them from pursuing their passions and making a positive impact on the world. Instead, they used their experiences as fuel to propel them forward and create change. What powerful project, movement, or action can you take to inspire change in the world because of the negative or positive experiences you have had in your life? Selah!