I read a story from a book entitled: "Some Folks Feel the Rain, Others Just Get Wet" by James Moore. This story tells of a circus coming to town and these two young men watching as the workers used huge elephants to erect the tents and move the heaviest equipment. At the conclusion of the work the elephants were tied to small wooden stakes with tiny ropes around one of their legs. The boys were curious as to why the elephants didn't just break those tiny ropes and escape. When they asked one of the trainers, he explained. "When the elephants are very young and their training begins, they are tied to large metal stakes by heavy chains. The elephants thrash about and do all they can to break free from their chains of bondage until they give up and no longer try. They just stand there, no matter the size of the rope. It isn't because the elephants can't break free, it's because they believe they can't."

And so I believe it is with Christians and many of our churches. There is so much to do, so many in our communities that need God and to be ministered to in whatever form that may take. But we feel helpless and relegate our current thinking to past failures or problems. We began programs and ministries and because we started too soon or with our own agendas in mind instead of God's timing and God's agenda, we thrashed about without any training or any real direction or with unrealistic expectations until we quit and gave up. Now we stand or sit around refusing to do anything; not because we can't, but because we think we can't.

Paul tells us in the book of Philippians numerous times, (1:6; 2:13; 4:6), that God is at work in us and that God is near. If we wish to solve our problems, we must believe in the nearness of God. Positive thinking is based upon the nearness of God. Seeing God in your daily life allows you to see whatever is true, right, pure, and admirable. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Believing this simple truth would give each of us unrestricted ability to accomplish God's purpose in every situation.