The Key to Victorious Living 365 Days a Year
Finally, we must keep in mind that mental attitudes are vitally important, for "as [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he." What we think about our physical condition has a direct bearing on our actual condition and well-being. The power of thought and suggestion over our bodies is phenomenal. If we constantly fret about a particular imperfection, then we cannot expect it to improve. If we fear sickness, then we will begin to confess that we are sick when some symptom occurs. In many cases, we become sick as a negative attitude and confession.
During the time when I was preparing this manuscript, I was teaching on this subject in Florida. After one meeting, a gentleman who was employed as a postman shared with me a humorous experience in the connection.
"The Scriptures are certainly true, "he said, smiling, "when they say that 'as [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he.' One of the postmen at our local post office can easily be persuaded that he is sick, by the power of suggestion. The relief postmen are asked to work only if one of the regular postmen is off sick; so now and then, to get an opportunity to work, they will approach this man, saying how bad he looks, asking him if he feels well. Invariably, in a short time this poor fellow will go home confessing that he is sick, and a relief postman will get to work in his place."
Such is the power of negative thought and confession. if Christians could be made to realize just how much of their own illness, depression, problems, and defeat stem from emotional stress that results from wrong attitudes and thoughts, as well as from their negative statements concerning these matters, they would never again allow such attitudes and expressions to rob them of their health, joy, peace, and victory, but would begin each day with a positive expectation, confessing, :This is the day which the Lord hath made; I will rejoice and be glad in it."
Too many Christians allow their trials and circumstances to depress and defeat them. A victorious faith can be developed through trials, if our attitude toward those trials lines up with the Word of God (James 1:2-4).
It was because of his positive attitude and positive confession, based on his absolute confidence in God's care for him, that the Apostle Paul was able to keep his courage and walk in victory through his many hardships and trials. His positive attitude and victorious confession are an inspiration to all. Instead of taking his trials, persecutions, and hardships to heart, and instead of complaining or grieving over them, he joyfully confessed:
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be manifest in our body. -- II Corinthians 4:8-10
It is only through trial and tribulation, when the powers of darkness seek to overcome us, that the life and power of Jesus Christ may truly be made manifest in us. Then, as a result of our absolute confidence in His Word, His life and resurrection power will be released in us through positive thinking and a positive confession.