Positive Thinking

Hello~

I can’t believe it is May already… It is pretty ridiculous how fast time flies… Because of this, it is difficult to find time to just stop and think about my life and what God has been teaching me. Recently, God has been poking me in a place where it is kind of delicate, my personality. The part of my personality where I feel very “proud of,” I guess you may all know that I get hurt pretty often (physically)…ok, very often. Haha, but really, God has been telling me that I identify myself as “the guy who always gets hurt but keeps doing stuff anyway,” / ” the guy that doesn’t have any luck,” / “the guy that has everything bad happen to him,” and what God has been saying is that I pride myself in that too much. I don’t leave any room for trust, restoration and that God could actual free me from that. My thoughts have been so negative and pessimistic that I don’t realize how much I am limiting myself as well as God to work through me. I have no idea if this makes any sense, but I was just saying what was in my mind this week; it is possible it doesn’t make any sense because my English is deteriorating because I speak in broken English a lot over here… o.O

Anyway… Positive thinking is something that I have been challenged to do not only this week, but for as long as I am alive.  I found some verses to encourage me and help me reach this. In Philippians, when Paul was thanking the people of Philippi for their gifts and says that because he is in “need” but that they had an opportunity to show their gratitude.

Philippians 4:12-13 “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”

Also the story of Caleb and Joshua when they were sent out to explore Canaan, they saw how abundant the place was but seeing the these really powerful people settling there scared 10 out of 12 people that went. When they went to report back to the people, they let fear consume them and they told the people a false report, but Caleb was bold and positive that they could certainly do it! Even though most of the people wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb for saying such things, that didn’t waver their positivity and trust in God’s deliverance.

Numbers 13:30 “Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it!’”

Numbers 14:6-9 “Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, ‘The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!"

I can just imagine this like it was this big speech before going into some crazy battle and to get everyone hyped up, but it was actually the opposite in this story, the people just wanted to kill them. What bravery and what positivity they had, when they knew logically, things seemed impossible, but with God, anything is possible!

So this week, I want to try and be positive like Paul, Caleb and Joshua. They put their whole being in God’s protection and promises. I want to do the same.