Thinking right in a messed up world…

Is positive thinking a choice? I can remember my dad reading a book about it and how a person could do whatever they were certain they could do, thinking positively about it. We argued. I said, “No matter how much I think I could become an opera singer, that would never happen.” I won. He had heard me singing.

When it comes to listening to sermons, I have to remember that any admonishments from the pulpit are not possible in my own strength. Sure, God could change my vocal chords and make diva out of me if He wanted to, but that is not my choice or ability to assume He will. Thinking positively is good but I’m not God. 

This is something like those who say things like, “So and so would be healed if she just had more faith.” This suggests that it isn’t God who works the answers and changes our lives. Instead, it is up to me to choose it, as if I run my own life.

However, a negative attitude can move toward a positive by allowing Jesus Christ in the equation. It may not change my circumstances, but the Holy Spirit can change how I think about things.

For instance, I woke up this morning after a dream about a relative who has dementia. His spouse is trying to fix it by correcting his memory if he says something contrary to her memory. The result is tension and conflict. I thought about this for a few minutes and started to weep. What can I do to make that better? The same thing that the wife can do — nothing. Self-effort for Christians is a frustrating waste of energy.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4–5)

Yet abiding in Christ means relying on Him as my source, definitely related to living the gospel. This means knowing I cannot do anything in my own strength or according to my wants or desires or even needs is important. Being helpless actually helps me turn to Him and rely on Him to fill me with His Spirit and do His will with His power. It is like this:

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him. (Colossians 2:6)
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12–13)

I receive Christ by faith, knowing I could not redeem myself. He works in me so I will live the way He wants. He is my power and whatever I do apart from that is sin. The Bible says so.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13–18)

The symptoms of not abiding can be obvious. Most of them scream “I am right” or “I know what I am doing” whereas the abiding person behaves far differently. The fruit born by one who is relying on Jesus is listed above and also here:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22–23)

If any of it is missing, then I’m not abiding and have some confessing to do, mostly lack of faith in Christ and foolish faith in myself.

PRAY: Jesus, when I choose me over You, the consequences are as certain as the opposite are true when I abide. You put my heart at peace and fill me with joy. These days, the world seems filled with joy-robbers, yet You say, “I have overcome the world.” I need to cling to that truth, both for family conflicts and far larger events in this sin-sick world. Fill me. I cannot even think right without You and without knowing how You think.