Many times in our lives, our negative thoughts can overtake our plans and desires. As a result, we as believers become limited in our capability to do greater things for God's glory.
Two Bible characters we can learn from when it comes to battling negativity are Caleb and Joshua, who were two of the twelve spies that Moses had sent out to scout the land of Canaan prior to entering it. Of the number of spies that went into the promised land, Joshua and Caleb were the only ones that brought good reports. When everyone was focusing on the challenges of having to fight giants and large cities, the two spoke in an almost foreign tone.
Numbers 14:7-7 shares how the two responded, "...The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us.
Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them." What can we learn from the character of Joshua and Caleb when facing difficult circumstances?
It's not about our ability
The challenge comes when we focus on the belief that we cannot overcome certain hardships because it will most likely be true. Everyone will encounter a mountain that cannot be overcome by our own strength, but God teaches us that it is never about our ability but about His. When we focus on what God can do and not on what we can do to overcome financial struggles, sin issues or relational dysfunction, our perspective changes completely.
Focus on the promise, not the problem
As a result of focusing on the problem too much, the other spies had been blinded of the promise. Where all they could think about were the Nephilim and the large cities like Jericho, all Caleb and Joshua could think of were the huge fruits and the faithfulness of their God.
Stand even though no one will stand with you
When Joshua and Caleb stood before God's people to bring good reports, people weren't all too entertained by their positivity. In fact, people wanted to stone them for their report. Sometimes you will feel like you're the only one standing on God's promises, but that shouldn't matter because with God on your side, you're still on the winning end.
