The apostle Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." The language of faith resembles in form the language of boastful presumption. But there is a difference. The braggart boasts of his own resources while the man of faith has a wholesome self-respect for the potential within him and a firm belief that God will strengthen him for the task at hand.

A major problem in today's world is a lack of confidence-a lack of self-confidence and a lack of confidence in God. Every person has a self-concept, and every successful person knows the vital role his self-concept (or self-image) plays in the achievement of success. In fact, it has been said that between every person as he is and what he is capable of becoming, is an invisible barrier. This invisible barrier is his self-image, and every decision, which he makes, is influenced by this concept.

Let us consider this as it is applied to the success formula, which Jesus gave. He said, -"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Mt. 7:7-8). But the person who is burdened with doubt refuses to ask because lie believes it will not be given to him; he will not seek because he believes he cannot find it; and he will not knock because he expects no one, to open to him. On the other hand, a person who believes in his ability to perform as an individual will make a request by asking. he will press his request by seeking, and he persists in his request by knocking.

Twelve spies returned from their mission in Canaan to their camp and reported that Canaan was indeed a fertile land. But ten of the spies declared that it was beyond the strength of Israel to possess the land. The other two spies said. "We are able." The people listened to the ten and their fate is a matter of history. The Hebrew writer said, "They entered not in because of unbelief." But history reveals another interesting fact: The two spies who said, "We can enter the land" were among those who at last possessed the land. Those who said, "We cannot! - didnt! Those who said, "We can! - did! !

TRUTH MAGAZINE XVII: 40, p. 2
August 16, 1973