The year 2021 has ended, and we are in the beginning of 2022 and it is a great joy for me to share this message with you. This last year brought some interesting events showing that the coming of Christ is near. Many have become stronger, more prayerful, but not all. What about you? What do you think about the future?
Are you aware that the thoughts of your heart are so powerful that they can determine your future destiny? In Proverbs we read, for as a man “thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7. The main purpose of this article is to help you understand the power of your mind, how you contribute to your own achievements and failures, how you are masters of your own destiny by the choices you make. You will learn the secret of living peacefully in this troubled world, the impact of positive and negative thoughts on actions, character, and destiny and the source of true happiness on our pilgrim journey to heaven.
Having a positive attitude is a result of a mind filled with the Spirit of God and thus one will be led to make the best choice possible.
The saying, “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he,” not only embraces your internal personal being, but also reaches into the external circumstance of your life. According to this verse, you could say that your character is the complete sum of all your thoughts. As the plant grows from a seed, so every one of your acts begins from the hidden seeds of your thoughts. This applies to “spontaneous” acts as well as to those you deliberately choose to do. Actions are the blossom of thought, and joy and suffering are its fruit. Ask yourself if you gather in the sweet or bitter fruits of your own inward thoughts. However, let us not forget what Jesus said to John in Revelation, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17. Our thought processes must be consecrated to Christ, or we may think we are good and we are saved, when we are actually lost.
You become what you become because of the law of cause and effect. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7. The law of cause and effect is true not only in the visible and material world, but also in the realm of your thoughts. Although, thought and spirit appear to be hidden they can easily be discerned by the eyes of God. You can develop a godly character through long-cherished association and communion with God in your daily thoughts, since there is a connection between what you think and what you do.
The power of the mind is undeniable. The thoughts we think have tremendous power in directing the course of our lives. There is a saying that states: “Where the mind goes, the man follows.” Our thoughts can determine our moods and attitudes, and thus our moods and attitudes affect each area of our lives on a daily basis. People who focus on their problems, what they do not have, or the difficulties they are facing, will live very negative lives.
“On the borders of Canaan the spies, returned from searching the country, made their report. The beauty and fruitfulness of the land were lost sight of through fear of the difficulties in the way of its occupation. The cities walled up to heaven, the giant warriors, the iron chariots, daunted their faith. Leaving God out of the
question, the multitude echoed the decision of the unbelieving spies, ‘We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.’ Numbers 13:31. Their words proved true. They were not able to go up, and they wore out their lives in the desert.” –Education, p. 149
Here we see that their thoughts had become a reality. Exactly as they thought (we are not able to go up against the people), it came to pass. They all died in the wilderness. They did not enter Canaan. They could not rise above their thoughts.
Among the twelve spies, ten said, we cannot go up against the people of Canaan since they are giants. They dwelt on this thought and did not turn to the Lord and thus it became a reality. They did not go into Canaan.
On the other hand, Joshua and Caleb had positive thoughts. They remembered the power that Jehovah displayed in Egypt, and how He manifested His glory at the Red Sea. How He protected them in the wilderness and therefore they testified that they will be able to gain the victory over the Canaanites. “Two, however, of the twelve who had viewed the land, reasoned otherwise. ‘We are well able to overcome it’ (Numbers 13:30), they urged, counting God’s promise superior to giants, walled cities, or chariots of iron. For them their word was true.” –Ibid., p. 149
Their thoughts became a reality. “Though they shared with their brethren the forty years’ wandering, Caleb and Joshua entered the Land of Promise. As courageous of heart as when with the hosts of the Lord he set out from Egypt, Caleb asked for and received as his portion the stronghold of the giants. In God’s strength he drove out the Canaanites. The vineyards and olive groves where his feet had trodden became his possession. Though the cowards and rebels perished in the wilderness, the men of faith ate of the grapes of Eschol.
“No truth does the Bible set forth in clearer light than the peril of even one departure from the right–peril both to the wrongdoer and to all whom his influence shall reach.” Ibid., p. 149–150
How many today say “the Sabbath is hard to be kept according to the law,” or “I cannot stop eating meat.” “If heaven forbids this or that, then let it be for others but not for me.” Take heed of what you think. Unless you yield your negative thoughts to Christ, you will say and you will do accordingly and it may determine your eternal destiny.
Job, with all his trials, could confidently say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” Job 13:15. “For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.” Job 19:25–27
“According to his faith, so was it unto Job. ‘When He hath tried me,’ he said, ‘I shall come forth as gold.’ Job 23:10. So it came to pass. By his patient endurance he vindicated his own character, and thus the character of Him whose representative he was. And ‘the Lord turned the captivity of Job: . . . also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. . . . So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning.’ Job 42:10–12.” –Ibid., p. 156
“You may only succeed if you desire succeeding; you may only fail if you do not mind failing.” said Philippos.
A famous trapeze artist was instructing his students how to perform on the high trapeze bar. Finally, having given full explanations in this skill, he told them to demonstrate their ability. One student, looking up at the insecure perch upon which he must perform, was suddenly filled with fear. He froze completely. He had a terrifying vision of himself falling to the ground. He could not move a muscle, due to his fright. “I can’t do it!” he gasped. The instructor put his arm around the boy’s shoulder and said, “Son, you can do it, and I will tell you how: Throw your heart over the bar and your body will follow.”
What did he mean by this statement? Determine in your heart where you want to go and what you want to be. Then turn to God for help to follow through if it is according to His will. Do not take no for an answer. If it is the will of God, as fearful as the task may appear, then He will help you to follow through. You need the spiritual faith in God to go over a bar that your human mind sees as an impossibility. With His help you can leap and your body will follow on to victory. Expect the best, not the worst, and by the grace of God you will attain your heart’s desire if it is God’s will.
Whenever you have a bar or a barrier in front of you, stop, close your eyes, pray, and then leap forward by faith and the Lord will meet you on the other side of the bar. God is faithful. However, do not confuse presumption and faith. “All the varied capabilities that men possess–of mind and soul and body–are given them by God, to be so employed as to reach the highest possible degree of excellence.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 595
From the experience of the twelve spies we can conclude that a strong man cannot help a weaker man unless the weaker man is willing to be helped; and even then the weak man must become strong in Christ in order to succeed. He must, by the help of God, develop this strength. “… The thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 310
A man can only rise, conquer, and achieve by lifting up his thoughts to God. “A Christian life will be revealed by Christian thoughts, Christian words, and Christian deportment. In Christ there is a divine completeness of character.” –Our High Calling, p. 184
“We should learn wherein we fail, and then guard ourselves upon that point. We must have perfect control over our own spirit. ‘If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.’” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 307
“You can never secure a good character by merely wishing for it. It can be gained only by labor. Your desires in this direction must be expressed in earnest, honest endeavor and patient toil. By taking advance steps each day up the ladder of progress, you will find at last at the top,–a conqueror, yes, more than a conqueror, through Him who has loved you.” –Messages to Young People, p. 348
“Wrongs cannot be righted, nor can reformations in conduct be made by a few feeble, intermittent efforts. . . . The struggle for conquest over self, for holiness and heaven, is a lifelong struggle. Without continual effort and constant activity, there can be no advancement in the divine life, no attainment of the victor’s crown.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 452
“God gives us strength, reasoning power, time, in order that we may build characters on which He can place His stamp of approval.” –God’s Amazing Grace, p. 224
“Yes I can with the help of God and yes I will” should be our motto daily. We are to have strong faith. Positive thinking is a mental and emotional state that focuses on the blessings we have been given by God in this life. Positive thinking, with a closer walk with God, brings inner peace, spiritual success, improved relationships, better health, happiness and satisfaction. It means approaching life’s challenges with a positive outlook. It does not necessarily mean avoiding or ignoring the bad things; instead, it involves asking God to help us through potentially bad situations, trying to see the best in other people, and giving God the glory for the gifts and talents He has given to you to use.
Thinking often starts with self-talk. Self-talk is the unspoken thoughts that go through your head. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. They can be Christ-centred or self-centred. Your self-talk may arise from logic and reason or from misconceptions that you create due to lack of information. We have around 60,000 thoughts a day, many of which come and go so quickly that we are not aware of them. On average, 80% of a person’s thoughts are about the past. Then they forget to live in the present while worrying about the future. On average a person spent 15% of the time thinking too much about the future. Barely 5% of our thoughts are about the present. We need to increase this 5% and live 100% for Christ in the present moment.
Problems occur when our self-talk takes on a negative tone. It is so powerful that it erodes our self-confidence and can ultimately lead to anxiety and depression. It also affects our self-esteem and ability to learn. This is what took place with the ten spies who were sent out to search the land of Canaan.
Keeping Christ at the centre of our thoughts every moment is the best and the most effective way to put away the negative. It reprograms our thinking about ourselves, our abilities, and our situation, thus giving us a positive focus in life.
How we think we feel also has an effect on how we actually feel physically. If your mind tells you that you are tired, the body mechanism, the nerves and the muscles accept that fact. If your mind is intensely interested, you can keep on at an activity indefinitely.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2. If Christ is at the centre of your thoughts, your attitudes and faith can increase energy. You have ample support and resources of power to accomplish what is asked of you. “Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character. If you come to this decision, you will certainly fail of obtaining everlasting life. The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will not, then you cannot overcome. The real difficulty arises from the corruption of an
unsanctified heart, and an unwillingness to submit to he control of God.” –Messages to Young People, p. 99
Standing firm, deciding to have good Christ-centred thoughts, actions, and words must begin right now. “God has given us intellectual and moral power; but to a great extent every one is the architect of his own character. Every day the structure more nearly approaches completion. . . . Now is the time for all to cultivate the powers that God has given them, that they may form characters for usefulness here and for a higher life hereafter. . . . The precious hours of probation are granted that you may remove every defect from your character, and this you should seek to do, not only that you may obtain the future life, but that you may be useful in this life. A good character is a capital of more value than gold or silver.” –Messages to Young People, p. 412, 415
“Are you ready to make the surrender now? You are to put away your sin right now when you see it…. Do not make leeway [that] you are going to overcome by degrees; you are going to try little by little to give up sin. Now, while it is called today, heed the invitation and harden not your hearts. Oh, my soul, why not leave the cursed thing today? Sin crucified my Lord. Why not turn from it with loathing? Why not love the things that Christ loved, and hate the things that Christ hated? He has made provision ample enough for you that you can, through Him, be more, yea, more than overcomers.” –The Upward Look, p. 283
A certain Swami Vivekananda said, “Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life—think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every other idea alone. This is the way to success.” If this idea is to live for Christ, you will find a peace and happiness in life that the world cannot offer.
A man’s mind may be likened to a garden which may be intelligently cultivated to focus on Christ, or it can be allowed to run wild.
Just like a gardener cultivates his plot, keeping it free from weeds, and growing the flowers and fruits, so may a man tend the garden of his mind, weeding out all the wrong, useless, and impure thoughts, cultivating useful Christ-centred thoughts. It can be done only by the grace of God. He will then have a greater understanding of the seriousness of having impure thoughts and how they can shape his character in the wrong direction.
Thought will eventually become your character. This does not mean that a man’s one thought at any given time are an indication of his entire character, but thoughts dwelt upon consistently are what shape character. If a negative thought enters the mind, it can be dismissed by giving it to Christ and thinking a positive thought instead, or singing a spiritual song. However, a negative thought consistently cherished will lead one away from Christ.
Encouragement for the Year 2022
Only if we respond like Joshua and Caleb when facing the obstacles in front us, can we call the heavenly angels to help us.
Not every challenge we face is life-threatening. Many people have lost a job at one point or another, or failed in school, or otherwise seen their careers, their livelihoods, or futures threatened. The human reaction initially can be fear, anger, or frustration. If we are like Joshua and Caleb, though, we will recognize that the real obstacle to our peace and happiness is our reaction to these circumstances. We can wander in the wilderness for forty years, or think of the positive side of the matter. With a true trust in God, we can let go of the idea that the negative circumstances will go away. We can go forward into the future with a positive trust in God, regardless if the current outward circumstances appear negative. The outcome may not be what we wanted, but the Lord said, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8–9
When you put your trust in God, He guides your mind so that you no longer desire that which is not good for you. And also you no longer worry about the future.
Jesus went to the tomb of Lazarus believing and knowing that God was working through Him. Often we may have to go somewhere or do something that seems humanly very challenging, but we must believe that the Lord is with us if it is He that directed us in that direction. He has promised, and we do not need to doubt or worry. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6
Here are some suggestions to keep your thoughts Christ-centred:
Read your Bible regularly to get to know Jesus more fully. Trust Him and accept Him as your personal Saviour and Lord.
Use only positive (Christ-centred) words while talking. If you are always telling yourself “I can’t” you may start to believe that it is the truth. Substitute the negative words with positive ones.
Direct your thoughts to Christ. This practice can help you turn to Christ immediately when you start to feel negative.
Believe you will succeed by Him that strengthens you (Christ). Believing in Christ will lead to a successful Christian life. Put away your doubts and realize that you will reach your goal through Him who strengthens you.
Analyze what went wrong. Thinking positively does not mean that nothing will go wrong, or that there is no hardship before you. When things go wrong, stop, think and pray. What led to this situation? Was it a mistake you made? Or was it the leading of the Lord and you need to simply trust in Him? (as did Job).
Learn from the past. You cannot change your past, but you can learn from your past mistakes. Whenever you get negative thoughts about the past, turn to Christ, leave the past with Him and replace these thoughts with positive thoughts about what Christ has for you in the future. “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13–14
Remember, things could be worse. No matter how bad your situation is, remember that it could be worse. Be grateful for all the good things. Count your blessings and see how God has been leading you. Look at the positive things that God has done in your life.
Look for opportunities. In every failure, there is an opportunity to improve. Learn the lessons the Lord is teaching you through your failures and turn to Him for help in the future.
Stop making excuses. Adam and Eve did this after their initial sin. There are always a million excuses people make for their failures. Do not make excuses. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
Associate yourself with those who think positively. Spend time with the friends and family members who choose to look on the bright side of life. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
Take control of your decisions: In every decision, ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” Will this decision bring honour and glory to the Lord? Or only to myself?
Smile: Sometimes all it takes to feel good is to put a smile on your face and understand that you do not own all the problems of the world. There are others also who are struggling. Christ can help you in all your life’s challenges.
Where should our thoughts be? “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
May the Lord give you a positive Christ-centred mind for this year 2022. Amen.
Victor Shumbusho, DR Congo