Vantage Point

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A Shot of Optimism

Sometimes what you need is a good shot of optimism. In fact, that’s a good thing to have every day.

There is a biblical way to do “positive thinking” or “positive confession” without the false teaching that suggests we only confess good things, even if they are not true, in order to bring them about.

Émile Coué, a pioneer in hypnosis, who has been called “the prophet of autosuggestion” (self-hypnosis), popularized this as a secular doctrine when he suggested people improve their lives by repeating the phrase “Day by day, in every way, I am getting better and better.”

This is just not true for everyone. As we get older our bodies eventually run down. Our bodies are “perishable” (1 Corinthians 15:42).

Philippians 4:8 is the text for biblical positive thinking: “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” (NIV). The Bible recognizes that dwelling on good things lifts our spirits.

Quoting Scripture is one way to do this. Another is thinking or saying short statements of positive truth.

Some of my personal favorites:

“God is good!” This is always true.

“Life is great!”

“I’m excited about Jesus!”

So sometimes you can’t say those last two with conviction. They sound like a lie. You’re going through a trial, and life isn’t very good. You’re not excited about anything. Then, quote them from memory.

“Life is great!” reminds you of past seasons of greatness and builds hope for the future and a realization of the blessings of your life today.

“I’m excited about Jesus!” Maybe you’re not now, but quote from your past. Remember your Savior and be raised in your spirit.

Fill your spirit with good and true things — the blessings of God — and your life will be better.

Ken Horn

E-mail your comments to pe@ag.org.