I read this encouraging devotion in a Guideposts booklet titled Courage: Finding Your Strength In Troubled Times:
One of the most powerful traits in human nature is that when you maintain a mental attitude of trust and faith-when you hope, dream, believe, pray and work toward God's assurance-you will create conditions in which every good thing can come to you.
It reminds me of the popular belief that
like attracts like.
It is also the inverse of misery loves company, Murphy's law and garbage-in-garbage-out. There are many passages in the Bible that encourage the growing Christian to surround himself with positive-thinking people, in other words to be equally yoked. The Bible also teaches us that within the realm of faith, Murphy's law does not and cannot exist. It is not true that anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
Another important principle that the Bible promotes is that in studying and thinking upon good things, we input them into our hearts. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, or
good-things-in-good-things-out.
Our words always get their cue from what is in our hearts.
The Bible also alerts us that in determining to think good, positive, healthy thoughts, we are maintaining a mental attitude of trust and faith in God's ability and love for us. As a result, our thoughts and words will create the future that we desire; whether tomorrow, next week or next year. In essence, we will be opening the door and paving the way for God's goodness to come in and flourish.
Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.
(Proverbs 4:23 KJV)
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
(Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
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Resources:
Image Credit: Trip Advisor, http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g34172-w1-Daytona_Beach_Florida.html
Quote Credit: (c)2008 Peale Center for Christian Living Guideposts Outreach GuidepostsFoundation.org
Scriptures Taken From: Bible Study Tools, http://www.biblestudytools.com/proverbs/4-23.html