What do you believe? This is such a simple question, yet it is one of the most important questions you can ever ask yourself. Most people live their life everyday without stopping to consider exactly what they believe. I wonder if they would do that if they stopped to consider how much their belief system affects their life?
I actually hesitated writing about this topic because it reminds me of the catch phrase, "What you believe is what you receive." For years, ministers of faith, gurus, life coaches, multi-level marketers, and hosts of others have taught it in a variety of forms. It seems that most of these teachings focus on the message "you can have it" and "you can do it." This teaching generates a very positive outlook on life -- something that is truly needed. However, there is something deeper that many people seem to miss.
What you believe does, in fact, determine what you receive. The reason for this is that
your belief sets the standard for your life.
It directly affects how you interpret life. Every news article you read is interpreted by your belief system. Every story you hear and every scripture you quote is measured by what you believe. Every situation you encounter will be colored by your belief. Every relationship will be defined by your belief system. What you believe does not simply determine what you will receive. It determines how you will live.
Consider. What you believe about someone determines how you interpret what they say and what he does. It also determines your response to his words and actions. If you believe he does not like you, all he has to do is glance your way and he is "giving you a look."
Even a compliment
can be received as
"back-handed" or
"judgmental".
Even a compliment can be received as "back-handed" or "judgmental". If you believe that someone is a manipulator, any gift or gesture of kindness that person offers is immediately suspect. You will question in your mind, "What is he up to?" In the same manner, what you believe also determines your response to that person. You will work to avoid someone who you believe does not like you. You will take a defensive posture the moment such a person speaks to you. In so doing, you eliminate much of the possibility for any sort of real relationship to be established.
I recognize that you will encounter people that are mean spirited or manipulative. Or perhaps they have taken such a posture as a result of measuring people by their belief system. If you consider that possibility, it establishes for you a means of reaching into their world -- not by violating what they believe, but by giving them the ability to develop a different belief about you. Over the years I have put this into practice and in so doing, gained access into the lives of people who would normally not give a preacher the time of day. I often hear the words, "You are not what I expected." By embracing people without judging them, it is usually not long before I have the opportunity to build a friendship or, as a pastor, help them with their own belief system.
In the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13 tells us:
"Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head, doesn't force itself on others, isn't always 'me first,' doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't keep score of the sins of others, doesn't revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of the truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end. Love never dies."
(From 1 Corinthians 13 The Message)
Is what you believe keeping you from receiving the best from the people that God has placed around you? God is interested in the complete and total prosperity of your life. That prosperity is determined by what you give of your life to others. What you truly give to others is directly affected by what you believe about them. In short, what you believe determines what you are able to receive.
Take time to assess the different areas of your life. Consider your everyday situations and the people you encounter. Ponder the relationships you have with people and with God. Make a determination to daily look in the mirror and ask the question, "What Do You Believe?"
