The Two Mindsets (Joshua & Caleb)

When you look at the world around you, it doesn’t take long to notice how negative everything feels. But if we’re honest—it’s not just the world around us. It’s in us too.

How many times today have you complained?

How often did something small go wrong, and your thoughts immediately spiraled?

One bad grade.

One awkward moment.

One mistake.

And suddenly your thoughts sound like:

I’m so dumb.

I always mess things up.

Why am I like this?

On my varsity boys volleyball team, one thing I focus on as a coach is mindset. When my athletes’ minds are in the right place, their performance improves significantly. But when one player begins to spiral—whether through negative self-talk or criticism of teammates—it spreads. The entire team feels it. 

Negativity doesn’t take much. And once it starts, it spreads quickly—both in our own minds and in the people around us.

We see this exact pattern play out in Numbers 13 and 14. The Israelites are standing on the edge of the Promised Land—a land God had already promised to give them. They have seen Him move in incredible ways: delivering them from Egypt, parting the Red Sea, leading them through the wilderness.

Now they’re right there. On the edge. Moses sends twelve spies into the land to see what it’s like. When they return, they all agree on one thing: the land is good. It’s exactly what God said it would be.

But then comes one word that changes everything: “However…” (Numbers 13:28)

“However, the people are strong…”

“However, the cities are large…”

With that one word, the focus shifts from what God promised to what stands in the way and from there, everything spirals. Ten of the spies begin to speak in fear:

“We can’t do this.”

“They’re stronger than us.”

“We’re like grasshoppers compared to them.”

That’s how they saw themselves—small, weak, and powerless. And that mindset didn’t stay contained. It spread. Soon the entire nation is overwhelmed with fear, complaining, and even wishing they could go back to Egypt. All because of a shift in perspective.

But not everyone saw it that way. Joshua and Caleb stood firm. Caleb said,

“We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” (Numbers 13:30)

Joshua added, 

“The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid.” (Numbers 14:9)

Same land. Same giants. Same circumstances. Completely different mindset. Ten focused on the obstacles. Two focused on God’s promise.

We may not be standing at the edge of Canaan, but we face our own “giants” every day. Failure. Pressure. Insecurity. Fear of what others think. And just like the spies, we have a choice in how we respond.

We can focus on everything that feels overwhelming and start to believe we’re not enough or we can remember what’s true—who God is, what He’s said, and who we are because of Him.

Because the truth is, the battle often starts in your mind. If you see yourself as a “grasshopper,” you’ll live like one—hesitant, fearful, and unsure. But if you remember that God is with you, it changes how you walk into every situation.

Which mindset are you choosing—and which one are you spreading?

Because your mindset doesn’t just affect you.

It shows up in:

• the way you talk

• the way you treat people

• the way you handle pressure

• the way you respond when things don’t go your way

  
  

Negativity is contagious. But so is faith. Pay attention to your “however” moments this week. When something good is happening—but your mind starts shifting toward fear, doubt, or negativity—pause. Ask yourself: Am I focusing on the problem… or on God’s promise?

Because that small shift in focus?

It changes everything.