Let’s say our day began with burnt toast. Although an insignificant event, we would have developed an opinion about it, and our negative thoughts will reveal our interpretation of the burnt toast. These thoughts lead to an emotion, and emotions coupled end-on-end form our days. Days roll into months and months into years. Bundled together, they become the story of our lives, a theme—a lifestyle.

What most people don’t realize is that our beliefs direct our thoughts, which influence how we feel, which determines the quality of our lives. What we accept about our world, how we fit into and respond to it, is determined by our belief system. So if we take control of our beliefs, we can determine the level of our misery or happiness.

managing a lifestyle

Beliefs and thoughts—positive or negative—are acquired early in life. No one formally teaches us about developing a belief system; we learn informally, by osmosis, through living with people.

If someone should ask us if we hold “fear-based belief,” we would probably be unable to identify it. Both positive and negative beliefs are packed away in the deep areas of our brains. Generally, they can’t be accessed by our memory, because they’re in the emotional part of our brains, not the rational part. But even if we can’t recall these beliefs, they can be triggered. Our senses are the triggers to memories about our beliefs.

In order to manage a lifestyle that arises out of our subconscious minds, we need to understand how powerful our belief system is. It directs our thinking and, in turn, the quality of our life.

transforming our beliefs

We can secure a new lifestyle if we attend to our beliefs. We can identify and weaken unhealthy beliefs and strengthen our healthy ones, replacing negative beliefs with helpful, positive beliefs to enhance our lives.

Sue Cleland, a professional social worker who specializes in anxiety management, describes it this way. Let’s say that subconsciously we believe the following: “It is crucial that I make few or no mistakes. I need to be a competent person and achieve in my workplace, marriage, and church, so that other people will think I am valuable and significant.”

This belief is unhealthy because:

• it encourages people-pleasing behavior;
• it leads to wearing a mask rather than being true to ourselves;
• the expectations are demandingly high;
• it promotes an unhealthy sense of self;
• it is too focused on what others think of us;
• it leads to the avoidance of new experiences for fear of criticism.

This belief is untrue because:

• perfection doesn’t exist in our human sphere;
• it’s OK not to be bothered about some things in life;
• we cannot be on top of our game all the time, so we don’t need to stress ourselves with unrealistic expectations;
• the demand for relational perfection, appearance perfection, and moral perfection drives us to try to reach unrealistic goals;
• no one achieves all the time, so participation, not perfection, should be our objective.

If we change this belief, our lives will be different in several important ways:

• we will engage in more of life because of less fear;
• there will be more variety and individuality in our lives;
• our choices will reflect our legitimate needs;
• we will take better care of ourselves;
• we will be more trusting of other people;
• we will have a more accurate sense of ourselves and our personal value.

Mistakes are part of life. When we accept this truth, we will be comfortable with who we are and the mistakes we make from time to time. We will view mistakes as learning opportunities. Our self-esteem will not be based on our mistakes and failures. It will not be based on what we do or on what others think of us.

Change in our lifestyle occurs when we pay attention to our underlying beliefs. Changing our thoughts is temporary. Trying to change what we do without attending to the belief behind it is a recipe for frustration. Positive thinking will not alter our lifestyle unless it grows out of our beliefs. Because our belief system alters our thoughts, the beliefs must be replaced if the lifestyle is to change.

This is much deeper than changing habits. Discipline, although helpful, can be superficial. Discipline can be imposed on us by others or we can impose it on ourselves. Change needs to flow from deeply held values, and for this, we need a new heart (read, mind) to sustain a new lifestyle.

the good news

Jesus spoke about the source of a good life that comes from God, for trusting only in ourselves is risky. We need a secure reference point outside of ourselves. We need an external compass.

Jesus taught the ethics of living when He said, “I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. . . . If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:44–48).

That last sentence has caused many people to adopt the unhealthy belief of perfection. But the idea that we should be as perfect as God in heaven can easily cause us to become so discouraged that we throw in the towel and give up on living a better life.

The good news is that Jesus not only sets the standard but He also invites us to trust in His perfect life. He lived it for our benefit. This most powerful of all beliefs generates a joyful lifestyle. And God gives it to anyone who accepts it. It’s a belief that will take care of our imperfections.

God’s outrageous, sacrificial love will motivate the way we live. It is both a standard required and the perfection supplied. He requires much, but He provides even more. As John the Baptist said, “Look, the Lamb of God [Jesus], who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

We can believe that a great lifestyle comes from wealth, status, or sexual conquest. However, deep down, we know that the answer is in a different place—it is in the reordering of our deepest beliefs and accepting the renewal of our belief system by Jesus Christ. If we are not guided by Christ’s love, we are inevitably controlled by a cruel counterfeit.

A great lifestyle is found in relationships, not a denomination. It is found in Jesus. It is found in living well because we are saved, not living well to get saved. As we draw closer to God, our lives will naturally reflect the beauty of that relationship.

Regaining Control of Your Life by Peter Cousins	From the November 2025 Signs