How Positive Thinking Works

Do you know how positive thinking works? When people tell you to think positively, does it irritate you a bit? It’s almost as if they’re making light of your dire situation. But let’s assume for a moment that they’re sincere and there is some merit to thinking positively . . . would you? Furthermore, what does positive thinking really accomplish?

Let’s explore a bit of what positive thinking does and doesn’t do. Here’s a bit of my analysis on what positive thinking does and where I think it should fit into your life.

What Positive Thinking Doesn’t Do!

1. Positive thinking doesn’t change the world around you.

I’m sorry, but no amount of positive thinking will “attract” good fortune your way. Positive thinking isn’t a magic formula to wealth. Something must be done for change to occur. So if you’re in debt, need to heal a relationship, or want to lose a little weight, don’t just think about it, do it.

2. Positive thinking doesn’t make your problems go away.

Believe it or not, I once had a teacher who claimed that if you’re not experiencing a room (such as standing in a room), it doesn’t exist. You’ve heard the question before: If a tree falls in a forest and nobody hears it, did it make a sound? I’m a firm believer in absolute truth and absolute reality. Now, how we perceive those things might be different from one another, but the truth is still the truth (even if we don’t know what that might be).

Little children when they don’t want to believe something or be responsible for something turn their eyes from it. They think that somehow not experiencing their reality will make that reality go away. I, too, have closed my eyes to problems before, and you know what . . . every time I open my eyes again those problems still exist.

It’s best to just face your problems instead of being in denial about them. Confront them head on!

What Positive Thinking Does Do!

1. Positive thinking makes you more productive when you’re working.

When you’re thinking positively, believing that you can accomplish that which you set out to do, you’re going to operate in confidence. When you’re confident, you’re more productive.

But here’s the catch: You have to actually work while you’re positive to get things done. Remember, positive thinking alone doesn’t do you a bit of good. You have to get out there, get your hands dirty, and work!

2. Positive thinking improves your health.

I don’t know about you, but when I’m thinking about negative things, my body feels down in the dumps. When I’m thinking negatively, I can actually feel the stress (probably because of higher blood pressure).

Awhile back I worked at a job that was pretty stressful. I found that I was thinking negatively and couldn’t see a positive future with the company. I was unhealthy, simple as that. Once I moved on from that environment, I found the ability to think positively again–and my health improved. This had real effects on my physical health!

What’s Holding You Back?

Is there something that’s holding you back from positive thinking? Maybe your job is holding you back. Or perhaps there’s an individual in your life that is, well, sucking the life out of you. Are you stressed and see no way out? Pray to God. The Lord can do amazing things in your life and make you more into a positive person–you might even find that God helps change some of the circumstances in your life so that you can think more positively. Sometimes that boost is just what we need to move forward.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. – Philippians 4:6-8 NIV

What do you think about positive thinking? It’s okay if you’re negative about it, just leave a comment!