Good Thoughts

Now, everyone, here’s an exercise in positive thinking:  I WILL think happy thoughts.  I WILL think happy thoughts.  I WILL think happy thoughts.  How are we doing so far?

This may be somewhat of a radical idea to many but God is actually the first and foremost Author in positive thinking.  Repeating something over and over to ourselves no sooner produces positive thinking than planting squash and expecting tomatoes!  We don’t need to read much of David’s writings to see his own struggles with having good thoughts in bad times.  “Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be, for the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.” (Psalm 12:1-2)  Wow, I’m sure glad David doesn’t stop there but rather reminds us of the Sovereign God Who sees sin’s devastation, hears the grievances of the oppressed, delivers and preserves the righteous in complete safety. “’Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, now I will arise,’ says the LORD; ‘I will set him in the safety for which he longs.’ The words of the LORD are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times. You, O LORD, will keep them; You will preserve him from this generation forever.” (Psalm 12:5-7)  When men are untrue, God is true.  When men can’t be trusted, God is trustworthy.  God’s Word is faithful, as silver tested to the ultimate degree. Jesus confirms we’re safe, secure, out-of-reach to the ungodly: “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (John 10:29).  Here’s where good thoughts originate – in the ever faithful, ever present and eternal Truth and Nature of Almighty God.  Therein is REAL positive thinking!