How to Encourage Positive Thoughts

Life is tough. The difficult blows of life wear us down mentally and physically. The problems we face saps our energy and leaves us feeling depleted and discouraged on all levels.

How can we encourage our family, our friends and most importantly ourselves?

I've found in order to stay positive and encouraging we must first deal with our inner life-the attitudes and thought patterns deep inside our core.

Dr. Karl Menninger, the famous psychiatrist said, "Attitudes are more important than facts." In other words, any hopeless situation that we are facing is not near as important as our attitude is toward the facts of that situation.

You do not have to be overwhelmed by fearful facts, but you can overcome with confident concepts and thought patterns. That statement is worth repeating until you can understand its simple truth.

Here then, is the secret to developing a winning attitude and conquering your fears:

Make a list on paper of the factors you have going for you.
Mentally visualize, affirm and reaffirm your positive assets and abilities.
Repeat them aloud every day to yourself.
Stop immediately any thoughts of defeat, discouragement, or negative insecurities in your life.
Realize that God is with you and wants to be your guide through this journey.
Write down Bible verses that affirm God's love and care for you.
Repeat them aloud every day.
Practice believing these true statements and the power of positive thinking will be released in your life.

This powerful positive plan works for me and it can work for you too.
It's simple, but not necessarily easy.