This week, the power of positive thinking and how it shapes our planning, our efforts and our expectations has been on my mind.  I have had a lot of coaches over the years who have shared their favorite quotes and impressed upon me the benefits of positive thinking and believing that you can succeed.  One of my favorite quotes is attributed to Henry Ford.  He is reported to have said, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”  In other words, our attitudes and our presuppositions really impact the success or failure of the endeavors we undertake and the dreams we pursue.  If we are expecting success, then we will push through some obstacles and seasons of difficulty that otherwise would have made us give up.   In Proverbs 23:7, Solomon said it like this:

Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinks in his heart, so he is.”

Both of these guys had it right.  It is true; our thoughts and our attitudes really do shape how much effort we place into our tasks and as a result, our thoughts and attitudes impact the results.  Thoughts, whether positive or negative can become self-fulfilling prophecies.   How we think we can shape our desire to persevere, our willingness to keep going and push through obstacles and setbacks in life.  But positive thinking alone isn’t enough.  We need to have proper thinking.  I love the counsel found in Joshua 1:8

Joshua 1:8  “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

It’s not positive thinking that makes all the difference; what we need is proper thinking based on the principles and precepts found in God’s word.  That’s the key to perseverance.  That’s the key to overcoming obstacles and achieving success.

My prayer for you today, is that you would dream big, think positively and properly and persevere in everything you do.   I pray that you would let God and His word direct your thinking and your actions.  I pray that you would let God equip you and empower you for all the tasks that He sets before you.  May God bless you and keep you.