It seems to be the big topic of the day. I talked to a couple of people last week and it wasn’t long before we were talking about the economy. One individual was nervous and afraid, but the other person was peaceful and confident. We were talking about the same situation, but there were two very different responses.

When you get really honest, how you think about the current economy determines how you feel about it. But the real question is, does your response have anything to do with the results that you have in your own life?

The truth is that our response to the current information as well as experiences in our lives not only contributes, but to a large degree, actually determines the results that we are seeing in our lives.

Now, I know today that there are many who have embraced the idea that no matter what happens, “It’s not my fault.” We live in a society indoctrinated to take no responsibility for ones own actions. But, just because many accept and believe that, it doesn’t make it true.

Some people today are not happy with their circumstances. Their life is not what they wanted nor envisioned it to be. They would rather have a much different set of circumstances. There are really only two choices that they can make.

The easiest choice is for them to blame everyone and everything for where they are in their life. It certainly cannot be their fault. They have tried and just can’t seem to succeed.

Their attitude is that no one is really supporting them. Someone or something is always there to hold them back or keep them from succeeding. They often blame it on their lack of education, the government, their boss or just a “bad break.” The list of reasons is long.

It is true that there are times when someone does encounter a “bad break.” Some people do have bosses that do not appreciate them. Decisions by the government can put obstacles in front of you. A lack of education can keep some doors closed to you.

But the truth is if these kinds of things, and a long list of other reasons, really are why people are not successful and fulfilled, then who could ever succeed? Every person who has ever lived has faced challenges. And there are some people who have had multiple challenges and obstacles to overcome and have become very successful.

Were they just lucky?

Consistent thoughts of defeat and seeing yourself as a failure will always end in failure. Countless people are really defeating themselves by their own thoughts and mindset. And, sadly but true, they have been led to believe that it is the circumstances that determine where they will go in life. That’s why those kinds of people will instantly blame anyone and everything.

It is absolutely true that there are things that are simply outside of your control. You cannot control the housing market, can you? Of course you can’t. There are thousands of things out of your control. But, there is something that you can control, and that is you.

The government isn’t planting thoughts in your head. Your boss is not preventing you from furthering your education. Exercising and eating healthier is not against the law.

You have control over the most important thing in the universe; you have control over yourself. And that basically comes down to controlling your own thinking. Everything that you do is because of the thoughts in your heart and mind.

Does that mean that you are in control of your own life and that you can change the results that you have been seeing? You absolutely can. You can start right now, at this very moment.

First, refuse to entertain any negative thoughts, especially negative thoughts about yourself. For example, if you lack education, don’t tell yourself that you are stupid or not very smart, or even that you lack education. Kick those thoughts out, and then tell yourself that you are going to be learning new and exciting things.

You can do this with hundreds of different topics. Just toss out the negative thoughts about yourself and put into your mind what you really desire in life. Toss out the thoughts of defeat and replace them with thoughts of victory.

The same is true for the picture that you carry of yourself. Change the picture. Toss out the defeated picture of yourself, and replace it with a picture of a successful you. And add some emotion to that new picture. How will you feel when you arrive at the realization of that picture?

The more you do that the easier it will become to respond to information you hear with a different mindset, a mindset of victory. The promise in the Bible of being “more than a conqueror,” is not a magic phrase. It does not happen automatically.

You are in control of your own life. You can make a decision that what you think, say and do will be deliberate and intentional, and line those thoughts up with your goals and dreams.

This is how to see real, positive and lasting change in your own life, despite what is going on around you. This is how you can become peaceful and confident while others are nervous and afraid. This is not only taking responsibility for your own life, it is also how to realize your hopes and dreams.