Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Power of God and Positive Thinking



The Power of God & Positive Thinking

Think fast – What is the difference between positive thinking and the power of God?

Only one is real and offers true peace. Not the only answer but my one second answer. If you've got one to throw out, I'd love to hear it.

I'm sure we've all heard a line or two in our time about “the power of positive thinking”. I understand that more-so now. No, I don't think if I meditate on winning the lottery that my “positive thinking” will land me a winning ticket – but I do believe that our thoughts and our focus reflect the condition of our hearts. Our minds effect our attitudes, and how we approach the day.

Have you ever noticed if you wake up thinking it's gonna be “one of those days” - a bad day, that you do indeed have a bad day? I'll be honest – that's happened here.

Here's the thing, if we allow our circumstances to dictate our outlook then our perspective is a little off. After all, we are supposed to be living in the spirit and not in the flesh right?

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
Galations 5:16 [NIV]

“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”
Romans 5:8 [NIV]

This speaks of how we as Christians should be living with a spiritually minded focus. We can give thanks in all circumstances because despite the situations we find ourselves in, we know God is with us in our hearts and he is an awesome God who loves us. He has our absolute best interests at heart. Which means we always have a reason to rejoice, a reason to be grateful and a reason to feel ever so blessed - even on the days where the car breaks down or on the mornings you wake up to a coffee can sans coffee grinds (– isn't that the worst?).

How do we do this … living in the Spirit (walking with God)? Let's get one step closer and look at Philippians 4:6-7 (I love this one):
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
[NIV]

How beautiful. It's our human nature to worry and even experience anxiety over matters that concern our hearts or get trapped in our thoughts, but the beauty here is that we are not expected to carry these worries or concerns around with us. We are expected to trust in God's goodness and in His Holy Word and present our requests to God so that we may experience His peace. After presenting our requests and with the peace of God we may then reclaim our focus. We may then continue our walk of faith and be spiritually minded unbound by the flesh. Part of being spiritually focused is in the next verse of Philippians 4:8-9:

“....whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me – put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
[NIV]

Sounds much like the power of positive thinking now doesn't it? I think so, but it's even better … the power of positive thinking is something one gives credit for good circumstances to oneself. But – if we do focus spiritually on God daily and on all things pure, holy, praiseworthy, lovely ...(you know all those things mentioned in Philippians 4:8) we will find that we are drawing nearer to Him and so He will draw nearer to us (James 4:8).

The credit for all things lovely, holy, and pure are all God's doing and by God's will and His grace do we receive them, and they are God's beautiful blessings to us no matter how small (or large). By focusing on our blessings we are also developing thankful hearts for God and all that He is instead of being chronic complainers like Goldilocks with the porridge, the chairs and the beds.

We don't want to come across to God as the toddler sitting at the table with our slice of pie asking why it's butterscotch and not chocolate, and complaining about wanting cool whip with it too (as much as we may not want too, at times that must be how we come across – even then He still loves us).

Focus is a good place to start. Living in the Spirit. Let us look to our Creator – God, when we have something that ails us and let us trust in him to take care of our concerns so we may faithfully walk forward in the Spirit with all the love of God in our hearts and all that is good on our minds. Once we rely on him and understand that His strength is sufficient for us (2Corinthians 12:9) and we have His peace we will be like shinning stars in the universe holding out the word of life for all who seek peace just the same. (Philippians 2:15-16).

After reading this if you have any thoughts you're willing to impart – please leave a comment.

May God bless you and keep you.
As always, check back for my future posts :)

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