It’s time to ‘rethink’ what’s possible

As the sky darkened one evening, my family and I were home in our living room sitting on the sofa watching television. A commercial came on the screen. And I was intrigued by the opening sentence advertising a documentary about Abraham Lincoln. It said, “Abraham Lincoln fought two wars… and one was in his mind.”

Whether we’re aware of it or not, our mind is flowing in a constant stream of thought. On any given day, we can have over 50,000 thoughts. So we have to constantly be on guard as to what we think about daily.

God created you, and He gave you a wonderful mind. He wants you to fill it with good things. For our mind-set determines our self-image, behavior and achievements. Our outlook decides the magnitude of our hopes, dreams, and influences our fortitude when we are confronted with life’s challenges.

What thoughts are primarily occupying your mind? Are they constructive or destructive?

Sometimes, it can be a struggle to overcome unconstructive thoughts. Negative messages can attack a person’s self-confidence, leading to a pessimistic view of the world and of oneself. Debilitating inner thoughts can paralyze, and criticism can hurt.

But this is a new day; and the power to change your thoughts is in your hands. So choose to free yourself of everything that’s standing in the way of your future progress. Changing the way you think about things is a fundamental approach to changing the outcome. Therefore, focus your mind on all that is ‘true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise.’ (Philippians 4:8).

Today, it’s time to ‘rethink’ what’s possible.

• Maybe a door to a dream closed. ‘Rethink’ what’s possible. Continue looking forward and taking steps ahead. Opportunities will find you. Soon, a new and a better door will open. For God didn’t bring you this far to leave you now. Thus, “use whatever gift you have received to serve others…” (1 Peter 4:10).

• Possibly, someone you trusted betrayed you. ‘Rethink’ what’s possible. Look to God, rely on and trust in Him. He knows how to bring the best people into your life and has an incredible future in front of you. “God is your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1).

• You could have heard some discouraging news. ‘Rethink’ what’s possible. The circumstance is subject to change. Don’t give up hope. God is on your side. For God is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20).

• Or, you may have faced an undeserved and unfair situation. ‘Rethink’ what’s possible. Rise above it; and in your mind’s eye, see yourself strong and conquering obstacles. God is close to you and guiding you to victory. So, “Forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before.” (Philippians 3:13)

Should a negative thought come into your mind, immediately expel it by stating a positive affirmation. When you wake up in the morning, take 30 seconds to say, “My life is a wonderful gift,” “Thank you, God, for all of my blessings,” “I’m getting better and better,” and “Something fantastic is going to happen to me today.” Then, throughout the day, look for the good and the beauty that surrounds you. Be optimistic, and expect situations to work out in your favor. The moment you put new and positive thought into your mind, you can leave those problems behind and move in a completely new and different direction.

While recovering from World War 1 injuries, a man named DeWitt Wallace had a unique, inspired idea. He thought it would help people if there were one publication that had condensed articles. These articles would be written on a wide variety of subjects and would be easy for people to read.

Wallace approached some magazine publishers with his creative concept, and they said, “no.” He assembled a sample issue and sent it to other publishers. They rejected his concept. Many criticized what he wanted to do. Then, one editor even told Wallace he would never sell enough subscriptions to succeed. One after the other, his idea was discarded.

Yet, Wallace didn’t give up on his heart’s dream. He didn’t dwell on negative thoughts. Rather, he focused on possibilities. With a positive mindset, patience and persistence, Wallace and his wife, Lila, brought their vision to reality and published their first issue of Reader’s Digest Magazine out of their home. In spite of obstacles, Wallace pressed on. Now, Reader’s Digest is one of the most widely circulated periodicals in the world.

Last week, I was home with the children, and the doorbell rang. I went to the door and a lovely smiling woman was standing outside holding a large basket of fresh flowers. My first thought was that the bouquet was for my neighbor, as flowers had been delivered here by mistake for her before. But then the smiling woman said, “Catherine, these are for you!” I thanked her, and took the basket of colorful flowers inside. After that, my daughter and I read the card. It was from a dear business colleague, and she wrote, “Good things are going to happen.”

Dear readers, good things are going to happen for you. Be optimistic, keep praying, keep working, keep striving, and keep reaching for your treasured dreams. On the other side of trials, there are great rewards.

So close your eyes and picture in your mind’s eye a place you are longing to be, a dream that perhaps you have discarded. As long as you are breathing, you can make it possible. Strive to go beyond the ordinary.

Move ahead with undaunted determination, with purpose, and persist with positivity and enthusiasm.

There is an amazing future ahead for you. It’s time to ‘rethink’ what’s possible