You might be wondering, what does a photo of a Toyota Prius in an empty parking lot have to do with being unstoppable? This is my car, parked at a state park near my home—one of my favorite places to walk. I took this photo one morning after spending an hour there without encountering another soul. Stick with me; I’ll explain the connection to being unstoppable in just a moment.
It is easy to focus on what I’m not doing—or not doing well—and overlook the things I do accomplish or the values I consistently live by. This tendency is often linked to what psychologists call “negativity bias.” It’s a natural, hard-wired response that makes us more attuned to negative experiences and allows them to have a greater impact on our psychological well-being than positive ones.
Understanding this, it’s essential to intentionally shift our focus toward the good. By recognizing and appreciating positive actions and values, we can counteract negativity and challenge the critical thoughts that might otherwise leave us feeling inadequate.
Shifting My Mindset
I live in the Seattle area, and I’ve never been a fan of gray, rainy weather. This winter, however, I’m working on cultivating a more positive mindset about it, especially since I have no plans to move. God designed our brains to recognize patterns, so I’m intentionally giving mine new, uplifting things to focus on instead of falling into my usual thoughts about “the dreary weather that always leaves me feeling funky.”
Like any habit—whether it’s a way of thinking or behaving—creating a new one requires consistent effort and repetition. Over time, this repetition builds new neural pathways in the brain, making it easier to adopt the desired thoughts or behaviors. One effective way to do this is by forming positive associations with the very thing you’re trying to change and intentionally focusing on those associations when the old thoughts resurface.
For instance, I have an amazing walking buddy, Nina, who is as committed to walking in all weather as I am. Rain or shine, she shows up—and I love that about her. Because of her, I’ve invested in a rain jacket, waterproof pants, and sturdy shoes, ensuring I’m equipped for rainy walks.
This morning, as I walked in the rain, I chose to focus on my friendship with Nina and how much joy I find in our walks and talks, no matter the weather. I reframed my perception of the rain by associating it with something positive. I also reminded myself of the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, which owes its lush greenery to the rain.
When negative thoughts started creeping in, I gently told myself, “Nope, not going there,” and immediately redirected my mind to thoughts of my dependable friend and the many wonderful rainy walks we’ve shared. I looked around at the green trees and marveled at how stunning the landscape is because of the rain.
Today, I came up with a new positive thought to rehearse whenever I’m walking in the rain: I’m unstoppable. Rain or shine, I’m committed to exercising several times a week. As I looked around the empty parking lot, I gave myself credit for doing what many people avoid—walking in the rain. This mindset shift felt empowering and energizing, reminding me of my resilience and dedication.
A New Perspective
I must admit, the word unstoppable gave me pause. It’s not a word I’ve often used to describe myself, but reflecting on it in this context prompted me to see my life from a broader perspective. I believe God placed that word in my heart that morning.
I’ve accomplished many good things in my life, but, as I mentioned earlier, I tend to focus on what I haven’t achieved yet or how I’m not measuring up. I can recount countless times when I’ve stopped myself—feeling hopeless, daunted, or defeated. There were moments I felt like giving up (and sometimes did in my heart), convinced I wasn’t good enough. That’s the power of negativity bias at work.
But today, God gave me a fresh perspective. He reminded me of the hundreds of times I felt defeated yet chose to rise again. I got back up, dusted myself off, and kept going—pursuing the desires He placed in my heart. I chose to trust Him even when I didn’t feel trusting and remained determined to fulfill His purposes for my life. THAT is what it means to be unstoppable.
My Invitation to You
I invite you to see yourself as unstoppable—even if it feels like a stretch. We all face challenges, some so overwhelming they seem impossible to overcome. At times, these challenges knock us down, leaving us wondering if we can ever rise again. But consider how many times you’ve rallied, learning and growing from each setback, becoming more of the person God created you to be.
If you’re still here, still striving to improve, grow, and change, you are unstoppable. If you get up one more time than you fall, you are unstoppable. If you reach out for help or support to take your next step—no matter how small—it’s proof that you are unstoppable. If you recognize something in your life that needs to change and take even the smallest step to address it, you are unstoppable. If you’re battling an addiction and taking action to overcome it, you are unstoppable.
I’m reminded of the beautiful poem Footprints in the Sand, where the writer reflects on the hardest moments of life and sees only one set of footprints, fearing the Lord had abandoned them. But the Lord gently replies, “The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
You are not alone on this journey. With God’s strength carrying you through the toughest seasons, you are truly unstoppable.
We are Meant to be Unstoppable
We can be unstoppable because the Lord lifts us up—often carrying us—before setting us back on our feet. He lovingly encourages us to take the next step, offering hope and strength when we feel we have none. Without Him, we would lack the ultimate reason to rise again when we fall. He gives us the promise of a better future, no matter where we are right now. Truly, we are meant to be unstoppable. As Matthew 19:26 reminds us: “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Similarly, Mark 9:23 affirms, “…all things are possible to him who believes.”
I invite you to pray and reflect on the ways you are already unstoppable. You might be surprised to recall how many times you’ve picked yourself up—or reached out for help—after falling. Our negativity bias often leads us to focus on what we haven’t done, causing us to criticize ourselves unnecessarily. But what about the many things you have done?
Today, I encourage you to notice one thing you’ve accomplished—even if it took falling 100 times to succeed on the 101st try. Even if it seems small, it matters. The more you recognize these victories, the more you’ll notice the countless ways you persevere, even when life feels overwhelming.
If the idea of being unstoppable feels daunting because you’ve given up on something important that once seemed impossible, remember—it’s never too late to rise again. We often forget that God is for us, but Isaiah 41:10 reassures us: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
May this serve as a gentle reminder of God’s unwavering presence and a call to embrace the truth: with Him, you are truly unstoppable.