I learned something fascinating recently that made me pause and smile — and then, honestly, reflect deeply. Did you know that the octopus has eight or nine brains? Yes, nine! I didn’t know that. Did you?
Naturally, it made me think: if an octopus has nine brains and can adapt to nearly any situation in the ocean, how much more adaptable must Jesus be — the One who is sovereign, omnipotent, and omniscient?
I know, it sounds like a strange comparison — Jesus and the octopus — but hear me out.
The Octopus Mindset
An octopus can camouflage, squeeze into tight places, regenerate limbs, and navigate any environment it’s dropped into. Why? Because each arm has its own mini-brain. That means it doesn’t wait for central instructions — it just acts, adjusts, adapts.
Isn’t that a beautiful picture of resilience? And in many ways, that’s how Jesus lived — fully aware, fully present, and always adaptable.
Jesus, Adaptability, and the Unexpected
Take, for instance, the story where they tried to trap Jesus with the question of paying taxes. He didn’t have the coin, but he didn’t panic. Instead, He told Peter to go find a fish — and that fish literally had the coin in its mouth. Who even thinks like that? That’s divine adaptability.
Or remember the woman caught in adultery? The crowd was ready to stone her, hearts full of judgment. But Jesus didn’t jump into the argument. He knelt and wrote in the sand. Silent. Intentional. Then He asked, “Where are your accusers?” She looked up and realized: they were gone. He completely shifted the dynamic by choosing presence over panic. Power over pressure. Adaptability over reaction.
I’m learning that in times of uncertainty — like now, when federal budgets are being slashed, contracts are vanishing, people are losing their jobs — I need to adapt like Jesus. Like the octopus. Because staying rigid right now? That’s not going to work.
When the Environment Changes, So Must I
I’ve had conversations recently with longtime federal workers who are anxious — one heartbreaking story was about a woman, just 53, who laid her head on her desk one day and never got back up. Her family said she was overwhelmed with fear and stress.
That could be any of us — if we don’t anchor ourselves in something stronger.
As a business owner, I’ve had to say to myself, Angela, you just gotta adapt. Contracts may go left. Teams may shrink. But I can’t afford to be paralyzed. I’m choosing to model my response after Jesus, who never let the circumstances dictate His mission. I’m reminding myself of this scripture daily:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
That’s my coach right there. That’s the mindset I’m practicing.
So, What About You?
How are you navigating this current environment? Are you adapting, or are you getting stuck in fear?
Maybe it’s time to learn more about Jesus’s mindset — or, hey, even the octopus. Maybe it’s time to shift how you see yourself in this world of uncertainty. Maybe it’s time to heal, aspire, and grow — because survival isn’t enough. We’re called to thrive.
If that resonates with you, I invite you to connect.
Schedule your personalized consultation today — and let’s build your customized growth plan together. You’re not alone. Let’s coach you through this season with the same mindset that adapts, leads, and transforms.
Your Biggest Cheerleader,
Eve Speaks Team
