The book “Power of Positive Thinking” was all the rage for
decades in the 20th century. It proposes the mental discipline of
looking on the sunny side. But as you know, sometimes things get so dark that
it is nigh impossible to see an optimistic outcome. The song tells us, “Just direct your
feet to the sunny side of the street.” On a moonless rainy midnight in
the middle of some God-forsaken nowhere, there’s not much sun.
The problem with the Positive Thinking approach is that
there is no basis for it. It reminds me of one whistling in the graveyard. Other
than my own desire to feel better, the exercise points to no reason to assume
the best. This is why a theologian said of the book’s author, “I find Paul
quite appealing and Peale quite appalling.”
The apostle Paul, who knew some hard and dark moments, told
the persecuted Christians of the first century, “In everything give thanks.” At
first quote it appears to be no more than “Positive Thinking,” but let’s open
it up and take a closer look.
It is said that the great existential crises for the
atheist, is when he feels grateful and there’s no one to thank. The strength of
Paul’s teaching is God Himself. When I give thanks I confess that I am not
alone on the dark side of the street. My thanksgiving acknowledges the
involvement of my loving heavenly Father.
Though Mr. Peale was no doubt a man of faith, his writing left me with a feeling that God was a mere optional thought; an alternative view that was not at all essential to the proposed method. Perhaps the popularity of His book is due to the offer
of an escape from fellowship with a God who is not me; a God whose
frighteningly unspeakable love relentlessly pursues my heart.
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