AT LEAST IT’S NOT MY PROBLEM (PART ONE)
AT LEAST IT’S NOT MY PROBLEM (PART ONE):
“THE HEZEKIAH MINDSET”
Every individual that I have met has a mindset.
You have one. I have one.
Our mindset shapes not just WHAT we see, but HOW we see what we see. It is our filter we use to navigate decisions. It is the foundation that supports our perspectives and responses. Many people that I meet have a healthy mindset. They understand the significance of their lives, the time they have been entrusted to steward, and how their decisions create impact beyond their own comfort or reality.
There are other times, however, that I encounter toxic mindsets. Those who settle for an unhealthy mindset don’t see the impact of how this shapes not only their reality, but it also has impact and consequences beyond them.
In the Bible, we read about a King named Hezekiah (see 2 Kings 18-20 to read about his life).
HERE ARE THREE TRUTHS ABOUT LIVING WITH THE HEZEKIAH MINDSET
At one point in his life, he was diagnosed with a sickness that would lead to certain death. King Hezekiah cried out to the Lord, and God miraculously and graciously extended his years (2 Kings 20:1-6).
Happy ending, right?
Well, not exactly.
TRUTH #1: OUR DECISIONS IMPACT MORE THAN JUST US
A period of time later, visitors come from Babylon to wish King Hezekiah well since they had heard he was sick. He shows these men all of the treasures of Israel — there was nothing that he didn’t show them. Isaiah, the prophet, comes to Hezekiah and asks who the men were and what did he show them.
Isaiah gives Hezehiah a stern rebuke for his foolish actions.
2 Kings 20:16-18
16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord: 17 ‘Look, the days are coming when everything in your palace and all that your predecessors have stored up until today will be carried off to Babylon; nothing will be left,’ says the Lord. 18 ‘Some of your descendants—who come from you, whom you father—will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs[a] in the palace of the king of Babylon.’”
This is where this story goes from bad to worse, and it is seen in Hezekiah’s Mindset.
His response should give all of us pause, because this mindset is alive and well for many people. King Hezekiah responds to Isiah’s words by saying:
“Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good,” for he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security during my lifetime?””
2 Kings 20:19
Did you catch that?
It seems in his response is that his only real care or concern is the fact that it won’t impact his peace and security. Someone else will have to deal with it…
TRUTH #2: WHEN WE LACK A VISION BEYOND OURSELVES, WE SETTLE FOR A HEZEKIAH MINDSET.
To paraphrase:
“Well, at least I won't have to deal with it.”
“It’s not my problem.”
“At least I get to be comfortable.”
“Someone else will have to pay the price for my decisions.”
THIS IS THE HEZEKIAH MINDSET.
We end up here when we make no decisions with regard to the future and the impact on others.
What is the area in your life that you are tempted at times to look past, thinking that at least you won’t have to pick up the pieces?
Is there anything in your world right now that you are dismissive about because “at least there is peace in my life”?
TRUTH #3: OUR DECISIONS TODAY ARE SHAPING WHAT THE NEXT GENERATION WILL RECEIVE AND EXPERIENCE.
I believe that each of us must work to keep a perspective about the generation that will follow us. Are we preparing them? Are we making decisions that will set them up for blessing? Or will we settle for a mindset that says, “at least in my life, things were good…”?
IN MY NEXT POST I WILL TALK ABOUT WAYS WE CAN COUNTERACT “THE HEZEKIAH MINDSET”
I’d love to hear from you in the comments below:
Where do you see “The Hezekiah Mindset” active and alive today?
