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Thought

Conditioners

By Norman Vincent Peale


Thought Conditioners

Guideposts is a nonprofit organization. We believe all 1. LUKE 18:27 7


things are possible with faith, hope, and prayer. Faith 2. JOHN 14:27 7
empowers our work to help build a positive world united in 3. PSALM 51:10 8
understanding, compassion, and empathy. In all we create, 4. MATTHEW 11:28 9
we are the reassuring voice of a trusted friend—a friend
5. MARK 11:24 9
who makes you feel more hopeful and connected.
6. PROVERBS 3:5 10
At Guideposts, we are here for you. 7. JOHN 10:10 11
Here to listen with open hearts,
8. JAMES 5:16 11
Here to reassure and comfort,
9. ROMANS 8:31 12
Here to inspire and energize,
Here to pray and strengthen, 10. LUKE 17:21 13
Here to bring joy and laughter. 11. 2 TIMOTHY 1:7 13
12. PSALM 73:24 14
This booklet has been provided by Guideposts Outreach.
Our many free programs and services allow us to connect 13. EPHESIANS 6:13 14
with people and help sustain them in times of need. For 14. PSALM 46:1 15
more information, please go to guideposts.org/outreach. 15. PROVERBS 16:20 16
16. ISAIAH 55:3 16
17. EPHESIANS 3:20 17
18. MATTHEW 7:7 18
19. PHILIPPIANS 4:11 18
20. PSALM 62:5 19

Copyright © 2021 Guideposts. Unauthorized reproduction,


in any manner, is prohibited. Printed in U.S.A.
All Scripture quotations are taken from
The Holy Bible, King James Version.
Thought Conditioners Thought Conditioners

How to Use This Booklet


21. JOSHUA 1:9 20 SINCE HAPPINESS and effectiveness depend upon the
22. ROMANS 12:2 20 kinds of thoughts we think, it is absolutely impossible to
23. JOHN 1:12 21 be happy if we think unhappiness-producing thoughts.
24. JOB 3:25 22 One of the wisest men who ever lived was Marcus
25. PHILIPPIANS 3:13–14 22 Aurelius, who said, “A man’s life is what his thoughts
26. ROMANS 8:37–39 23 make of it.”
27. JOHN 7:37 23 If you put into your mind thoughts of fear, you will
28. MATTHEW 5:44 24 get thoughts of fear out of your mind. Fill your mind
29. PHILIPPIANS 4:13 25 with resentment thoughts, and resentment attitudes
30. ACTS 17:28 25 will emerge. And in neither case, of course, can you find
31. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 26 happiness-inducing thoughts. Whatever the condition
32. MARK 11:23 27 of your mind, the thought-changing principles I am
33. ISAIAH 40:31 27 going to suggest are so powerful that they will displace
34. 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9 28 unhealthy thoughts. Indeed, displacement is the only
35. PSALM 55:22 29 way you can drive a thought from the mind.
36. ISAIAH 26:3 29 In my experience through many years in working with
37. ISAIAH 28:12 30 people, I have discovered that the most vital, creative,
38. PSALM 34:4 30 and positive thoughts are those stated in the Bible. Its
39. MARK 11:25 31 words are alive. The Bible itself states what its spiritual
40. REVELATION 7:16–17 32 words will do. “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in
you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto
you.”
This means, simply, that if you fill your mind with
spiritual words so that they sink from your conscious

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to your subconscious mind by a process of spiritual out injurious thought patterns.


osmosis, you will so condition your personality with The best results are gained by utilizing spare minutes
spiritual power and sensitivity that God’s will can to say these Scripture passages, or thought conditioners,
operate in you. Every great value of this life, the ones over and over. As you are riding on a bus or train, or
that really matter, shall then be yours. The words of the washing the dishes, or waiting for an appointment,
Bible are powerful Thought Conditioners. They are capable utilize fractional moments to dwell and meditate upon
of revolutionizing the entire personality. the meaning of these texts. As you do so, there will
Over the years, I had noticed that certain passages flash out from them new insights, new perceptions of
from the Scriptures had a particularly potent effect on truth. Gradually, by a deep therapy, they will drive into
human beings. I began, therefore, to list the life-creating the mind until presently your life will become a living
words from the Scriptures that had done me the most demonstration of God’s power.
good. Many of these I had recommended to others. The booklet contains 40 creative and vital passages.
Some of them had been called to my attention by people Why 40? Perhaps because in His own deepest
in whom there had occurred the most astonishing spiritual experience, Jesus spent 40 days in the desert
demonstration of new life and joy. When I applied them withstanding temptation. There is no magic to the
to myself, I found they did indeed possess tremendous number 40, but it so happened that when I finished my
effectiveness. list it totaled 40. There are many more vital passages. In
The process I have used both personally and in fact, you can read and re-read the Bible for a lifetime and
counseling, which has accomplished most impressive never exhaust its wisdom.
results, is simply that of committing these great This is my 40, and when you complete these and feel
passages to memory. One puts them in the mind as in a that they are in your permanent possession, explore the
sort of spiritual medicine cabinet, each to be drawn out Scriptures further and find the many others that will
as needed for specific ills or maladies of the personality, have the same health-giving effect in your life. We’ve
or to meet life’s situations as they develop. included some extra pages at the back of this booklet for
As suggested above, the method is also to conceive of this purpose.
these thoughts as having displacement value, crowding Now, the method for using this booklet:

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• I suggest that you read it through quickly at one 1.  he things which are impossible with men are
T
reading to get the overall impact of 40 of the greatest possible with God. LUKE 18:27
gems of thought ever spoken. This text shows how to do an “impossible” thing. Size
• Start at the beginning and memorize one verse a day. up your problem, pray about it, do all you can about it.
Meditate upon the brief message given with each. If it seems impossible, don’t give up, but affirm, “The
Then practice the simple techniques suggested. things which are impossible with men are possible
These are not arranged according to problems or with God.”
categories. Neither are they selected on any basis of Keep relaxed. Don’t worry. Avoid getting panicky.
relative importance. I have listed them just as they have Never think, “This can’t be done.” Declare, “It can be
come out of my own mind, one after the other. Perhaps done; it is being done because God is doing it through
God sorted them for this particular purpose. I give them me.” Affirm that the process is in operation. The final
to you with the prayer that these brief spiritual thought outcome may not be entirely what you now desire. But,
conditioners may add to the happiness and usefulness of handled in this manner, the solution will be what God
your life. wants it to be.
Norman Vincent Peale 2.  eace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:
P
not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not
your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
JOHN 14:27

Without a deep inner state of quietness, one becomes


prey to tension, worry, and ill health. A song, a sunset,
moonlight, the sea washing on a sandy shore, these
administer a healing balm. But they lack power to
penetrate the inner recesses of the soul.
Deep therapy is required to attain healing quietness
and tranquility. A habitual repetition of this one

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text will, in time, permeate your personality with a 4.  ome unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy
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complete sense of peace. laden, and I will give you rest. MATTHEW 11:28
When tense or restless, sit quietly and allow these Perhaps the strain and burden of life have made you
words to pass unhindered through your thoughts. tired. If so, maybe you are carrying life too heavily.
Conceive of them as spreading a healing balm Primarily, we do not get tired in our muscles but in
throughout your mind. our minds. We develop that “I’m swamped” feeling.
3. Renew a right spirit within me. PSALM 51:10 Allow this text to dissolve in your thoughts as a
Here is a fragment of a verse which will bring you kind of spiritual lozenge. As you turn to Jesus in your
friends, health, happiness, and success. It can improve thoughts, He will give you rest. And how does He do
your disposition. that? One way is by showing you how to work.
The word disposition refers to the manner in which “Learn of Me,” He says. In other words, work by My
you are disposed to react to situations and people. If method. “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light”
your automatic emotional reaction is irritable, crabby, (Matthew 11:30). That is to say, easy does it. Don’t
selfish, haughty, it impairs or even destroys your strain, don’t tug, relax. Do one job at a time using the
relationships. light touch, the easy stroke.
The quality of your disposition depends upon your 5.  hat things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe
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inner spirit. This Thought Conditioner, by the use of the that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
word “renew,” implies that when you were created, you MARK 11:24
had a good disposition. To pray successfully, you must employ affirmation and
If you have allowed it to deteriorate, Almighty God, visualization. Form a picture in your mind, not of lack
who created you, can re-create and renew in you the or denial or frustration or illness, but of prosperity,
fine balance, the controlled spirit. He can restore that abundance, attainment, health. Always remember
vital factor in a good disposition, inner quiet control. you will receive as a result of prayer exactly what you
Let no day pass after today that you do not say many think, not what you say. If you pray for achievement
times, “Renew a right spirit within me.” but think defeat, your words are idle because your

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heart has already accepted defeat. 7. I am come that they might have life, and that they
Therefore, practice believing that even as you pray might have it more abundantly. JOHN 10:10
you are receiving God’s boundless blessings, and they Many people are lacking in energy. Their vitality is low.
will come to you. They are filled with inner conflicts which dissipate
6.  rust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not
T energy. They are dull and apathetic.
unto thine own understanding. PROVERBS 3:5 What is the secret of energized life? Christ is the
This text will help you manage emotional stress. It will answer. It is said of Him, “In him was life” (John 1:4).
help you bounce back when you face stress or anxiety. Fill your mind with Christ, fill your heart with Him,
A famous neurologist, specialist in emotional and inevitably energy, vitality, exuberance, delight,
stress, often “prescribes” this text for his patients. He and eagerness will well up within you.
writes the words on a card and instructs his patient to Every day as you repeat this text make it read,
commit them to memory and repeat them until they “Christ has come that I (fill in your own name) might
are indelibly printed on the subconscious mind. have life and might have it more abundantly.”
The cause of much nervous trouble is frustration. 8.  onfess your faults one to another, and pray one
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And the antidote to frustration is a calm faith, not for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual
in your own cleverness, or in hard toil, but in God’s fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
guidance. The cure of frustration is the belief that JAMES 5:16
God will help you obtain your heart’s desire. Trust in God does heal. He does it in two ways, through science
God with all your heart, and you will be able to keep and through faith.
on working in health and happiness for long years to In healing, confession is important, for much illness
come. results from buried resentments and guilt. Confession
to a competent counselor releases these poisons,
cleanses the mind and soul, thus stopping the passing
on of diseased thoughts to the body. Effectual prayer,
that is scientific prayer, is very powerful.

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The essence of the technique is confess your faults, 10. The kingdom of God is within you. LUKE 17:21
pray with kindred spirits even if separated by distance, When you are filled with self-doubt, and in the grip of
and enthusiastically (fervently) believe. your inferiority complex, don’t give up saying, “I can’t
9. If God be for us, who can be against us? do it, I haven’t got it in me.” You do have a very big “it”
ROMANS 8:31 within you. You have the Kingdom of God within you.
Imagine yourself as actually looking at all your God has placed in your personality all the ability
difficulties like an army lined up against you. Then you need. You have only to believe in yourself, and
realize you have a backing that can overcome them all. strength within you will be released.
As you face these enemies of yours—discouragement, In saying the text, try it this way, “God’s abundance,
frustration, disappointment, hostility, weakness—ask peace, and power are within me. I lack for nothing.”
yourself, “What shall I say to these things?” And the 11.  or God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of
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answer is, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Now, spend a minute realizing that God is for you 2 TIMOTHY 1:7
and say this affirmation: “God is with me. God is for Your fears can be healed by this text. It tells us, first,
me. God is greater than all these things.” that fear is overcome by power. What power? There
Then visualize these enemies of your peace and is only one force more powerful than fear, and that is
happiness as retreating, giving way before God’s faith. When fear comes to your mind, counter it with
power. Personalize the text by saying: “If God be for an affirmation of faith.
me, who can be against me?” Second, love overcomes fear. By love is meant trust,
The repetitive use of this text will give you an confidence, complete dependence upon God. Practice
enormous sense of God’s presence and a powerful this attitude and fear will diminish.
feeling of victory. The third element is to attain a sound mind in
which there are no complexes, quirks, and obsessions.
Live with the thought of God, and you will develop a
sound mind where no shadowy fear can lurk.

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Whenever you are afraid, verbalize against the thing philosophical attitude concerning it.
that you fear, using the words of this text. When you have done all that you can do, don’t try to
12.  hou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and
T do any more, just “stand.” Relax, stop, be quiet, don’t
afterward receive me to glory. PSALM 73:24 fuss about it; you have done everything possible; leave
the results to God.
Perhaps, today, you have a problem which has baffled
you. 14.  od is our refuge and strength, a very present help
G
Try allowing this text to penetrate your mind until in trouble. PSALM 46:1
it becomes a dominating conception, and it will do When trouble strikes, what you want is comfort and
some important things for you. protection. You want strength to stand up to it and
It will make you understand that there is an answer meet it. You can have both. This text contains the
to every problem, and that God is thinking along with answer. Frequently remind yourself that God is with
you. It will bring to bear upon your problem that keen you, that He will never fail you, that you can count
and sharp perception of wisdom called insight. upon Him. Say these words, “God is with me, helping
If you put every problem in God’s hands, ask Him me.”
to give you the right answer, believe that He is doing This will give you a sense of comfort. New hope will
just that, and will take the guidance that comes, your flood your mind. New ideas will come. A new sense of
decisions will turn out right. power will be felt. As a result, you will rise above your
13.  herefore take unto you the whole armor of God,
W trouble.
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, When a particular trouble arises, before you do
and having done all, to stand. EPHESIANS 6:13 anything else about it, sit down quietly, repeat this
text a half dozen times, and put your full faith in it.
This is one of the greatest of all techniques of mental
health. It teaches that when we have done all that we
can do about a given matter, we are not to get worried
or in a panic or be filled with anxiety, but take a calm

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15.  e that handleth a matter wisely shall find good:


H But when you incline your ear and hear, listening as
and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. though your life depended upon it, getting every word,
PROVERBS 16:20 letting it sink into your mind by a deep and powerful
To live successfully, one must overcome blundering penetration, then the message falls like a healing
ineptness, the tendency to do and say the wrong thing. potency upon you. Every spiritual disease germ is
One must develop the deft and skillful touch that killed, and you live with new health and strength.
makes things turn out right. 17.  ow unto him that is able to do exceeding
N
A thing does not go wrong because of some perverse abundantly above all that we ask or think,
fate. It is more than likely that you lack the right slant, according to the power that worketh in
the proper approach. us. EPHESIANS 3:20
If such is the case, what you need is wisdom. If Today, remind yourself that nothing is too good
you let today’s text seep from your conscious to your to be true. Your great hopes can be realized. Your
subconscious mind, it will correct the error pattern most wonderful dreams can come true. All that you
within you and gradually endow you with wisdom. really need, you can have. An incredible goodness is
16. I ncline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your operating in your behalf.
soul shall live. ISAIAH 55:3 If you are living a paltry life, resolve to stop it today.
Most people live on the surface. They miss the most Expect great things to happen. Confidently receive
astonishing things. They see and yet they do not see. God’s abundant blessings. Do not think lack. Instead
And the reason is they aren’t really looking. think prosperity, abundance, the best of everything.
The same is true about what they hear. They listen God wants to give to you, His child, every good thing.
with the outer ear only. For example, people go to Don’t hinder His generosity.
church, and the Gospel never penetrates beyond
the outer consciousness. That is because people do
not listen with all their faculties. They do not lose
themselves in it.

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18.  sk, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall


A When you do this, you learn how to reach the better
find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. condition, or how to make your present situation a
MATTHEW 7:7 better one.
This is a very practical technique of prayer. It works 20.  y soul, wait thou only upon God; for my
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amazingly. One reason we do not get answers to our expectation is from him. PSALM 62:5
prayers is that we ask, but do not really expect to One of the most serious and powerful facts in
receive. We are expert askers, but inexpert receivers. human nature is that you are likely to get what you
This spiritual formula tells us to ask and then are basically expecting. Spend years developing the
immediately conceive of ourselves as receiving. For mental attitude of expecting that things are not going
example, to be free from fear, ask the Lord to free you. to turn out well, and you are likely to get that result.
Then believe that He has immediately done so. The You create a mental condition slanted to an unhappy
minute you express your faith by sincerely asking Him outcome.
for a blessing and believe, your prayer is answered. If, on the contrary, you develop and maintain a
19. I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith mental attitude of faith and expectancy—hoping,
to be content. PHILIPPIANS 4:11 dreaming, believing, praying, working—you will
Your present situation may not be to your liking. create conditions in which every good thing can and
Perhaps you are dissatisfied and discouraged. Put the will grow. Fill your mind with the positive power of
matter in God’s hands. If He wants you elsewhere, He spiritual expectancy, and God and His good will flow
will lead you there, providing you are amenable to His toward you.
will.
But perhaps He wants you where you are. In that
case, He will help you to adjust to the situation. He
will make you content, even grateful for present
opportunities. Learn the great art of doing the best you
can, with what you have, where you are.

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21.  e strong and of a good courage; be not afraid,


B counteract the older and negative habit of allowing
neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is unhappy things to occupy your mind. In due course,
with thee whithersoever thou goest. JOSHUA 1:9 unhappy thoughts will not feel at home in your mind,
Here is a mental stimulus of tremendous power, which, and happy thoughts will transform you.
if received and retained in your consciousness, will 23.  ut as many as received him, to them gave he
B
give you courage to overcome every difficulty. Nothing power. JOHN 1:12
can ever dismay you. You may question whether mere You can possess within yourself all the power you will
words can accomplish so great a result, but never ever need in life.
minimize the creative force of an active idea. A mental The method for securing power is very simple and
concept has more voltage than electricity; civilizations depends entirely upon you. This text gives the formula:
are changed by ideas. Emerson said, “Beware of an idea It is to “receive” Christ. When this is sincerely done,
whose time has come.” you will in turn receive power.
22. Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. And how do you receive Him? Simply decide that
ROMANS 12:2 you want Him, tell Him so and mean it. Then, starting
People often manufacture their own unhappiness by today, begin to live on a basis you know He would
the negative manner in which they think about things. approve.
Work with your mind, exercise disciplinary control, The essence of the formula is surrender to God’s will
and re-slant your thoughts for happier living. and Christ’s way. It is the acceptance of a new manner
Drain the mind, by consciously conceiving of of thought and life. Continue to re-surrender yourself
yourself as dropping out every destructive thought, every day, and in proportion as you do so, you will feel
every fear, every inferiority feeling. Picture your spiritual power surging in.
mind as completely empty. Then start filling it with
thoughts of God, and of Christ, thoughts about every
good and pleasant thing. Practice this new habit
regularly twice every day, morning and evening, to

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24. The thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, weight upon him.
and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. The art of forgetting is absolutely necessary. Every
JOB 3:25 night when you lie down to sleep, practice dropping
This thought conditioner states a very serious the day into the past. It is over, finished. Look
warning. If over a long period of time, a person confidently to the future with God.
habitually fears something, there is a tendency for that 26. I n all these things we are more than conquerors
fear to become a reality. through him that loved us. For I am persuaded,
For example, if you fear that you are going to fail, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
and you constantly entertain thoughts of failure, you principalities, nor powers, nor things present,
will create a mental condition that is propitious to nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor
failure. Creative, positive, success factors are repelled any other creature, shall be able to separate us
by your mind because your mind is filled with defeat from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our
attitudes. Lord. ROMANS 8:37–39
On the contrary, if you hold the faith thought, These words mean that no matter what happens,
the positive thought, you will create about yourself nothing can separate you from God’s love and
an atmosphere propitious to success, health, and protection. The secret is to build up in your mind,
wellbeing. day by day, the knowledge and realization of God’s
25.  his one thing I do, forgetting those things which
T presence and His love for you. Dwell on this mentally
are behind, and reaching forth unto those things until it becomes an unshakeable fact.
which are before, I press toward the mark for the 27. I f any man thirst, let him come unto me, and
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. drink. JOHN 7:37
PHILIPPIANS 3:13–14
Every now and then, deep unsatisfied longings well up
Every person, if he is to have mental health and live within us. We may seem to have everything our hearts
successfully, must move away from past failures and desire and ought to be perfectly satisfied. But still
mistakes and go forward without letting them be a

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these vague dissatisfactions diminish our happiness. 29. I can do all things through Christ which
When you notice such feelings, try saying this verse strengtheneth me. PHILIPPIANS 4:13
a few times. As you do so, try to imagine how Jesus This is an antidote for every defeat feeling. If you feel
looked when He said these words: the kindness, the downed by situations, and the going is hard, this
understanding, the peace on His face. Try picturing statement will remind you that you do not need to
yourself as receiving from Him a drink of cold water— depend upon your own strength entirely, but that
symbolic of the water of life that completely satisfies Christ is with you and is now giving you all the help
thirst so that one never thirsts again. Affirm that you you need.
receive from Him the ultimate in soul satisfaction. A Teach yourself to believe that through Christ’s help
deep inner peace will gradually grow upon you. you can do all things. As you continue this affirmation,
28.  ove your enemies, bless them that curse you, do
L you will actually experience Christ’s help. You will find
good to them that hate you, and pray for them yourself meeting problems with new mental force. You
which despitefully use you, and persecute you. will carry heavy burdens with ease. Your new “lifting”
MATTHEW 5:44 power will amaze you.
Make a list of all the people who have hurt and 30. In him we live, and move, and have our being.
mistreated you or whom you do not like. Then pray ACTS 17:28
for each by name and sincerely practice forgiving each This text is a formula for maintaining physical, mental,
one. Ask the Lord to bless them. Tell the Lord that you and spiritual energy. The tension and pressure of
want to mean this. Repel the thought that after all you modern living draws wearily upon our energies. But
are “justified” in your resentment. here we have a renewal method. The text reminds us
Then speak kindly about these persons to others. Go that God created us and that He can constantly and
out of your way to help them. This will, in time, break automatically re-create us. The secret is to maintain
down many barriers, but even if it shouldn’t, the effect contact with God. This channels vitality and energy
upon you will be amazing. It will clear the channel and constant replenishment into our being.
through which spiritual power flows into you. Every day, preferably about midafternoon when an

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energy lag usually comes, try repeating this text while 32.  hosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou
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visualizing yourself as “plugged” into the spiritual removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall
line. Affirm that God’s recreative energy is restoring not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those
strength and power to every part of your body, your things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall
mind, and your soul. have whatsoever he saith. MARK 11:23
31. I f any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old Almost alone this passage can revolutionize your life
things are passed away; behold all things are and change defeat into victory.
become new. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 What does it tell you? That your “mountain,” that
Never be discouraged about yourself. You may great rock-like obstruction, that tremendous barrier,
have tried all your life long to rid yourself of your can be broken down and ousted from your life. You
weaknesses, your obsessions, jealousies, sins, must not doubt “in your heart.” Allow no negative
inferiorities, without success. Your failure is probably thoughts to exist in your subconscious mind.
that you have been trying to make yourself over. That Pray that your mountainous difficulty shall be
is a long, tedious, and essentially impossible project. removed and, as you pray, believe that it is being done
But it can be done in no time at all by Christ. All you then and now. Don’t have the hazy idea that “this
need do is to say to Him simply, “Lord, I do not want mountain” may be removed sometime in the future,
to be this way anymore,” and mean it. He will do for but believe that God is removing it for you now.
you what you cannot do for yourself—effect a lasting 33.  hey that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
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change in you. Ask Him to change you. strength; they shall mount up with wings as
eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they
shall walk and not faint. ISAIAH 40:31
This beautiful sentence describes the greatest
experience that can ever happen to you. It is called
spiritual experience. You get it by completely
surrendering yourself to God, and experiencing His

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presence. Then the heavy weights of your life drop 35.  ast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall
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away, and you are lifted to eagle-like levels of freedom sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to
and power. be moved. PSALM 55:22
But no one can permanently live in such exalted A human mind can stand only so much weight. One
emotional heights. Nevertheless, the power stays with mental burden piled upon another, unless relief is
you so that you can move through life with a speed obtained, will in due course reach your breaking point
and strength you never had before; you can “run and and cause serious difficulty. Fortunately, you do not
not be weary.” need to carry your burdens without assistance. God
Spiritual experience begins by lifting you to new will help you carry them.
high levels, after which it helps you to keep going with But how is this done? It is accomplished in the mind.
continuous power. Practice thinking that God is actually with you. Tell
34.  ye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
E Him about your burdens, and believe that He relieves
entered into the heart of man, the things which and assists you. Form a picture of yourself as shifting
God hath prepared for them that love him. your burdens to Him. He is willing to assume them
1 CORINTHIANS 2:9 and is perfectly able to do so. But, and this is most
Possibly life has become difficult—even dismal. You important, don’t half give them. And don’t take them
may not be getting zest or thrill out of living. back. Let God handle them. Leave them with Him.
The text for today will restore the old delight in 36.  hou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind
T
life. It tells you that you have never seen, nor heard, is stayed on thee. ISAIAH 26:3
nor even imagined all the marvelous, amazingly If your mind is filled with defeat thoughts, fear
fascinating things that God will do for those who love thoughts, resentment thoughts, you are bound to be
Him, trust Him, and put His principles into practice. in a state of mental unrest, even turmoil, and of course
As you surrender your life to God, every experience there can be no inner peace.
of living will grow increasingly more wonderful. This passage advises you to practice thinking about
God, to keep your mind “stayed” or fixed, not upon

28 29
Thought Conditioners Thought Conditioners

your troubles but upon God. spending 15 minutes every day just thinking about
Keep your mind on God for as many minutes during God. You can split this up into five-minute periods,
the day as possible. This may be difficult at first for you but never let a day pass without spending 15 minutes
are unused to spiritual concentration. Practice will thinking about God.
make it easier. Each day, make the following statement, “I
37. This is the refreshing. ISAIAH 28:12 surrender myself and all my problems, my loved ones,
my future into the hands of God, and I trust Him.”
These few words remind us of a spring of cool water Three times every day, thank God for all His
because of their renewing quality. The frequent use of goodness. Soon your life will be filled with God, and
today’s text has an invigorating effect. emptied of apprehensions.
Sometimes, after a busy day or even in the midst of
exacting activities, stop and say these words over to 39.  hen ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought
W
yourself and note how they dissipate weariness and against any. MARK 11:25
refresh the body, mind, and spirit. If you are not getting answers to your prayers, check
The best method for using these words is to say yourself very thoroughly and honestly as to whether
them slowly, emphasizing their soft quiet melody. At you have resentments in your mind.
the same time conceive of peace, rest, and renewal as Spiritual power cannot pass through a personality
coming to you. where resentment exists. Hate is a non-conductor of
38. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered spiritual energy.
me from all my fears. PSALM 34:4 I suggest that every time you pray, you add this
phrase, “Lord, take from my thought all ill will,
A cure for fear that will absolutely work is to get grudges, hates, jealousies.” Then practice casting these
close to God in your thoughts. He is the only certain, things from your thoughts.
unchanging factor in the world. He will never let
you down, nor forget you. If plagued by fear, do what
this text says: “Seek the Lord.” That may be done by

30 31
Thought Conditioners

40.  hey shall hunger no more, neither thirst any


T
more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any
heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the
throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto
living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe
away all tears from their eyes. REVELATION 7:16–17
This is one of the most comforting passages in all
literature. It teaches that our loved ones are in a place
of peace and beauty. They are under the watchful
care of God and regularly experience His tenderness.
The deep hunger and thirst of their souls has been
satisfied. God, like a loving mother, puts His protection
over them and with a kindly hand wipes away every
tear from their eyes. This He has done for your dear
ones who have crossed over to the other side. If you
learn to love this passage and meditate upon it, He will
wipe away every tear from your eyes, also.

32
We inspire the world to believe
that all things are possible with
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