The Key to Positive Thinking
by Tim LaVere
(West Branch, Michigan)
"Wow Tim, you are looking good! You've lost a lot of weight!"
I smiled and thanked my friend who hadn't seen me in several months. I was about a year into my weight loss journey, and had dropped about 80 pounds. My health was improving, it seemed I was constantly buying new clothes, while I felt better about myself than I had in years. As my friend sized me up, I calmly waited for the inevitable question.
"So," she asked, "How did you do it?"
I had been asked that question countless times. My answer was always the same... Prayer, diet and exercise.
"What sort of diet?" she wondered.
I explained for the upteenth time that I had cut all fats from my diet. Carbs weren't the problem, so I ate a lot of breads and starchy foods. But cookies, pies, cakes and peanut butter were all out.
"Oh!" she exclaimed in horror. "You can't lose weight like that!"
Hello? In one breath she was complimenting my weight loss, and in the next, telling me my plan couldn't possibly work. Well, it did. I went on to lose 135 pounds, and I've kept it off for over six years. I didn't allow my friend to speak negative thoughts into my life.
Whose voice are you listening to today? God's word has a lot to say about the long, healthy, and happy life that He wants for his children! And while He doesn't promise that we can avoid all of life's unpleasantness simply by speaking the right words, He has outlined a plan to bring us the abundant life Jesus spoke of! It works something like this: Learning equals wisdom, and wisdom equals health!
Proverbs 4:20-22 says, "My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body."
Developing a positive attitude literally means that God wants us to get smart! Get His wisdom by studying His word, spending time in prayer and communion with Him, and plugging in to a great church. Your faith will flourish, and you will be better able to stand on His word, proclaiming the positive over your life. A positive Christian will say, "I believe in the power of Jesus Christ to handle any situation that comes my way." A negative Christian says, "Well, I guess this is just the way God made me, and I'll have to live with it."
When Jesus entered his hometown of Nazareth, the people began to grumble, "Isn't this the carpenter? What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles?" Their negative attitudes literally kept Jesus from performing any more than just a few healings. Jesus couldn't minister because of their lack of faith!
What about you? The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God. Have you done a personal faith check lately? Are you getting a daily dose of His wisdom? Allow Him to give you the steps to take. Wisdom is the key to a positive, abundant life in Jesus Christ.
