OVERCOMING "STINKIN' THINKIN'
Do these names "ring a bell"? Sethur? Palti? How about Guel? Or maybe Nahbi? Don't remember them? Well, most folks don't. They are part of a group of 10 men who had an attitude that infected the children of Israel as they approached the Promised Land. These 10 men, uniting with the majority brought a curse upon these Israelites and halted their progress, "dead in their tracks". These 10 men along with 2 others were sent to spy out the land of Promise. Now, you probably remember the 2 others. Joshua and Caleb. But the ten? We don't remember them because they brought back the negative report as some would say the attitude of "stinkin' thinkin'". They brought back the disease of a "negative" report.
These 10 along with Joshua and Caleb were sent to spy out the land and to bring a report back to Moses, Aaron and the entire congregation. After returning these 10 men said, "NO WAY". There is no way that we can move in and conquer the land. Numbers 13 and 14 records the events. In Numbers 13:31 these 10 reported, "we are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we." Virtually, every adult concurred with the majority of the spies...EXCEPT, 2 men...Joshua and Caleb. These 2 said, by God's strength WE CAN DO IT...they implore the people (Nu 14:9) "only do not rebel against the Lord..." Only Joshua and Caleb of these 12 dared to trust and believe God. This disease of "negative thinking" or as the Bible calls it, "murmurring", or "grumbling" (Numbers 14:2), was the very reason this generation of Israelites perished in the wilderness instead of inheriting the land that flowed with milk and honey. (Numbers 14:26-38)
Usually great achievements by both nations and individuals are results of both perserverance and faith. It is a little known fact that there was a colony from the Old World that came to America and failed BEFORE the Pilgrims sailed and succeeded.
Long ago there were those who insisted that it was impossible for a man to break the 4 minute mile in track. We once laughed and scoffed those who spoke of putting men in space and to even send them to the moon.
Progress and success is always attributed to those who look beyond the frustration and failure and move forward regardless. It is said that Edison experimented over 2000 times before he came up with the incandescent light bulb.
Negative thinking devours the seed in winter before the warmth of spring can give it root in fertile soil. Negative thinking chains us to the past and denies us the success of future challenges. Negative thinking becomes a habit that destroys our dreams and holds us hostage to our freedoms of success which are just over the horizon.
My friends, the same is true in our "spiritual journey". The devil is a master at originating devious tricks and strategies that discourage and disappoint us. The evil one has come to divide and destroy. He dosen't want you to find success in your spiritual walk. He doesn't want you to be victorious in your spiritual journey. Obstacles, barriers, and pot holes are placed in front of us to discourage so that we will throw up our hands and quit. The Bible calls them "trials". (James 1)
The apostle Paul experienced more than his fair share of trials, frustrations, disappointments and disasters. Listen to I Corinthians 11 beginning at verse 24..."five times I received from the Jews 40 lashes minus one, 3 times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, 3 times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea" and Paul adds much more.
So, if there was a person who should have developed a negative complex, a "grumbling" vitamin it was Paul. Probably if I had been beaten, maligned, misunderstood, had my life threatened, a price put on my head, I would have opted for retirement. Not Paul. Not Joshua and Caleb. Listen to the Apostle Paul, who gives each one of us this encouragement as we journey on in our spiritual life..."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Hear that? Where you listening? Was I paying attention?
The Apostle Paul gives us the answer to what Zig Zigler calls "stinkin' thinkin'" in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through HIM who strengthens me" (Emphasis mine). Overcoming negative thinking, gripping, complaining, murmurring and grumbling comes with putting our trust in the King of kings and Lord of lords and receiving our strength to move forward, to carry on, from HIM.
"Don't give up. Don't give in. AND NO COMPROMISE.
I am praying for you and your families,
Leonard
