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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
One definition for positive thinking is "the act of reviewing thought processes in order to identify areas that need improvement, and then using the appropriate tools to change those thoughts in a ...
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Bob Davidson
Supporter
I still feel that Dr. Peale was correct in what he was saying. It is not that our thoughts can create results as much as it is that they allow certain things, hopefully positive things to happen. God gave us more potential and desires more good for us than we will ever realize in this lifetime. James 4:2b says that "Yet ye have not because ye ask not." The power of positive thinking comes not from creating good events, rather it is in claiming them. The most restrictive limitations imposed on each of us many times are those we impose on ourselves, rather than those imposed by God. If we think we cannot do something, we will most likely be right only because we do not attempt to do it. Do our thoughts really affect our actions, the unfolding of our lives? Proverbs 23:7a says "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." I Samuel 16:7 says "For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh not he heart." Our thinking is to be guided by a right heart, so much that in Ezekiel 36:26 God says, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh." Our thinking is so important that in the Beatitudes Christ expounded on the Law saying that it is not just our actions, but our very thoughts that can cause us to sin. Our thoughts determine our actions and if these are negative, self-limiting thoughts we will be much more limited than God ever intended. It is somewhat the case that our faith is positive thoughts toward God. Christ said in Matthew 21:22, "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Good that God has for us that we may ask for in prayer we do not realize because we do not prayer with a positive attitude, praying believing. The power of positive thinking is not some magical incantation that produces good results. It is our limited power of free will that releases God's unlimited power that He is just waiting for us to realize. That is why He said "Ask and ye shall receive." If we believe that we are made worthy by the blood of Christ to come before the throne of God and we believe that God is capable of granting our request as it is consistent with His will of good for us, if we have a positive attitude to make such a request, we do not need to create anything magically. We need merely to believe, think positively, and ask for what God has already prepared for them that love Him. Bob Davidson
Brian Ansell
Supporter
Let us consider three possible thoughts! Firstly " I don't care " won't lead to achieving anything new. Thinking " I can't do that" won't work either! Which leaves " I think I can do that" it might not work but is better than the other approaches!
Janet Austin
Supporter
The “power of positive thinking” can be negative or positive. Negative: When one uses the “power in positive thinking” in a manner that boasts that they believe THEY are creating the outcome (instead of God), that is wrong. Positive: When one uses their positive thinking as a reflection of the faith God gifted them, they will step out with a bold faith, and that is good. For ex: when I pray, “God, make Your desires mine” and then God creates a particular desire in my inner most being, I am then able to say to myself, “I know it and I know I know it …because it’s God’s desire.” That allows me to step out with a strong faith believing that that particular thing will happen…all the time crediting God with the outcome…and thanking Him for it. That’s the “power of positive thinking” God’s way…letting His Holy Spirit empowers us, as children of God.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
According to Mayo Clinic: for "Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress." Positive thinking helps with stress management and can even improve your health. Mayo Clinic further says, "The health benefits of positive thinking: Researchers continue to explore the effects of positive thinking and optimism on health. Health benefits that positive thinking may provide include: Increased life span Lower rates of depression Lower levels of distress Greater resistance to the common cold Better psychological and physical well-being Better cardiovascular health and reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress." I've read Norman Vincent Peale's The Power of Positive Thinking. In it he says, Practice these 10 rules, 2 of which follow: 1. Repeat ten times daily “Romans 8:31 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (just this last part, i.e. Ro 8:31b (Ro 8:31 KJV) 2. Repeat “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” ten times every day. (Philippians 4:13 KJV). I read "Guideposts," his magazine. But I would rather go with what Michael above said, "The Bible says that man cannot be "good" on his own (Isaiah 64:6). The only good in us comes from the righteousness of Jesus Christ applied to our account (Ephesians 2:1-5; Philippians 3:9). Once the Holy Spirit indwells us, He begins the process of sanctification, in which the transformative power of the Holy Spirit makes us more like Jesus."
Billy P Eldred
Supporter
I believe so. I think that if you ask any athlete, for example, they would tell you that they accomplish far more when they think positively and have confidence. "The little engine that could" illustrates this point in fiction and if anyone thinks about their own experiences, I don't believe they would disagree. Definitely in my own life, I know I accomplish more when I think positively, especially in sales. The real question is, Why? We need to remember that God created this world and how everything in it works. Many things He created and designed were to point to Him. The bible teaches us this in many places. I believe that God designed us so that the power of positive thinking also points to Him. Positive thinking is like having Faith. When we see that faith rewarded by accomplishing something others may not have believed in, at least to me, that points me to God and makes my Faith in Him that much stronger. So the next time you see someone exhibit positive thinking and accomplish what they were believing, you might just point out to them my line of thinking and point them to God in case they may have failed to recognize the connection on their own.
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