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.

Neil Anderson - Freedom in Christ Ministries