The internet is awash with “positive” websites and messages to “encourage” people and lift their spirits. Before the internet, I remember seeing these kinds of messages on posters in school and later at work. I even saw some in church. These messages make you “feel good.”
Norman Vincent Peale gained notoriety for his views on the “power of positive thinking.” An American Minister, he proclaimed “believe in yourself” and “Have faith in your abilities” to a willing public. He is widely quoted and wrote a best-selling book on the subject. His ideas even made it into the Church and many think they come from the Bible. The internet took that message, added beautiful pictures and spread it around the world.
These days the message includes success as “your right” and “your destiny.” Anything to the contrary is called negative, greedy, intolerant, racist or sexists. With messages like, “time heals all wounds” and “things will get better” to explain any delays or setbacks, people are waiting for their success to arrive. Children are told they are great, can be anything and deserve the best. Awards and trophies are handed out to support their self-esteem because parents demand it.
Happiness was added to the mix and has become the goal and the first priority. We are told not to worry and be happy. Anything that doesn’t make you happy should be cast aside. You have to live life to the fullest, because you only get one shot. If you’re unhappy with your job, wife, or Church, get another one. You deserve it! Advertisers picked up on that theme and insist their products will make you happy. Even fairy tales end with “they lived happily ever after.”
The biggest problem with these ideas, they are wrong. They leave GOD out and are doomed to failure. If people put themselves first, they are taking GOD’s place. Satan tried that, and wants you to join him in his failure.
We must believe in and have faith in GOD, not ourselves, because “he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb 11:6 KJV). We do have a wonderful destiny once we accept JESUS, for “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil 4:13 KJV). That is how “things will get better.”
Jesus said “there is none good but one, that is, God” (Mat 19:17). That means we aren’t close to “great.” We are told “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10 KJV). We should teach our children humility, rather than telling them they are great. I’m still looking for the “happy command” in the Bible. Instead I found “happy is that people, whose God is the Lord” (Psa 144:15 KJV).
The Bible does have a positive message for us. We deserved death for our sins, but “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). In that case, time is working against you, so don’t delay. Accept JESUS as your Savior, and “it will be OK!”
Wayne Lance (2018)