Morning Devotional

December  1, 2005
"Seeing Is Believing" (Part 2)        
    by Don Emmitte

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Jesus said to them, "You faithless people! How long must I be with you until you believe? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. "How long has this been happening?" Jesus asked the boy's father. He replied, "Since he was very small. The evil spirit often makes him fall into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can." "What do you mean, `If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." (Mark 9:19-23 NLT).

Yesterday we talked a little about seeing and believing. It was an introduction to faith in God. Today I want to talk about having a healthy belief in yourself and in God's purpose for you. Dr. Joyce Brothers, well-known author and psychologist says, "An individual's self-concept [what he believes about himself] is the core of his personality. It affects every aspect of human behavior; the ability to learn, the capacity to grow and change, the choice of friends, mates and careers. It's no exaggeration to say that a strong positive self-image [self-belief] is the best possible preparation for success in life."

Self-belief is not an egotistic "I'm the greatest" attitude. Such an attitude is self-deception and a cover for deep insecurity and self-unbelief. Believing in yourself includes knowing and accepting your weaknesses as well as your strengths and believing with God's help that you can overcome your weaknesses and develop and use your strengths.

One very successful woman, a well-known entertainer, didn't have much going for her. She would never have won a beauty contest and at age 38 was living on welfare. After reading Claude Briston's, The Magic of Believing, and beginning to believe in herself, Phyllis Diller's life took a dramatic turn. One gift she had was the ability to make people laugh. Once she believed this, she didn't allow what she didn't have to stop her using what she did have. Jimmie Durante was another entertainer who wouldn't have made a fortune with his looks. But he capitalized on his weakness and turned it into one of his greatest strengths. He didn't focus on his physical attributes—what he didn't have—but on his strengths—what he did have—and put these to good use because he believed he could.

You and I can do the same. For an even stronger and healthier sense of self-belief know that no matter what you have ever done or have failed to do, God loves you totally and unconditionally, wants to forgive your every sin and wrongdoing, and has a God-given purpose for your life that he wants you to fulfill! All I ask is that you believe in yourself exactly the same as God believes in you.