He Thinks...

May 30

The way we view life has a significant impact upon all our life's endeavors. When we view our lot from the vantage point of negativity, disdain, despair, disillusionment, and despondency can set in and we will become frustrated by our seeming lack of success in the endeavors we undertake. That can devolve into a very negative "I" view on our part. We can begin to perceive ourselves from a very unflattering vantage point—and that is quite self-destructive.

It is statistically proven that people who have optimistic outlooks, who have a positive opinion about themselves fare better than people who have a negative point of view and the resultant negative expectations. This is affirmed also in the scripture where it says, "As a man thinks, so is he," (Proverbs 23:7). In light of this scriptural truth and its statistical verification, it behooves us to take charge of our thought life and to allow the Lord to affirm us through it.

How can those who have this proclivity toward devaluing themselves overcome it? We have instruction from the Word in this important self-improvement exercise. Of those who are born again it says, "We were buried with Him by baptism unto death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead, so we, too, have newness of life," (Romans 6:4). The implication of that verse of scripture is astounding! It tells us that our old man with all his baggage is dead! If he is indeed deceased, he no longer has control of who we are or how we think about ourselves.

Further, we who name the name that is above all others are admonished that when we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior, "Behold, old things are passed away, all things become new," (II Corinthians 5:17). Our "old man" has died and been buried. Our "new man" arises with the life that Jesus has given to him. That new life is glorious, it is powerful, it is victorious! When we have appropriated Jesus and all He has for us, we see ourselves as He sees us—and HE thinks we're worth dying for!