Positive Believing

Neil Anderson's Daily in Christ Devotional
June 4

POSITIVE BELIEVING

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1).

If You Believe You Can, You Can
If you think you are beaten—you are.
If you think you dare not—you don't.
If you want to win but think you can't,
It is almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose—you've lost.
For out in the world we find
That success begins with a fellow's will;
It's all in the state of mind.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.

This poem, whose author is unknown to me, reflects the popular view of life known as the power of positive thinking. The Christian community has been somewhat reluctant to buy into this view and for good reason. Thinking is a function of the mind which cannot exceed its input and attributes. Attempting to push the mind beyond its limitations will only result in moving from the world of reality to fantasy.

The Christian, however, has far greater potential for success in life in the power of positive believing. Belief incorporates the mind but is not limited by it. Faith actually transcends the limitations of the mind and incorporates the real but unseen world. The believer's faith is as valid as its object, which is the living (Christ) and written (Bible) Word of God. With the infinite God of the universe as the object of Christian faith, there is virtually no limit to the spiritual heights that positive believing can take you.

Lord, You have said that I can accomplish great things with faith the size of a tiny mustard seed. May my life today be marked by the power of positive believing.

Copyright © 2006 Freedom in ChristAll Rights ReservedTaken from Daily in Christ by Neil T. Anderson and Joanne Anderson