Faith or Positive Thinking?

Is there a difference between faith and positive thinking? Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on positive things. But in Hebrews 11:1, we see that faith is hoping for things we cannot see. People have faith in something. It may not always be positive. For example: a father may have faith that his son will fail because the father thinks the son’s goals are set too high; referring to him as a “dreamer”. I’m not sure if this case would qualify under positive thinking, unless we see the father as being “positive” his son will fail.

Let’s look at the action of faith and positive thinking. If we say we have faith in God, we are expecting God’s power to complete the action. In positive thinking, we are relying on ourselves to think, think, and think positively. We know that when we rely on God the job will be completed, but we are creatures that can become weary as we try to take on the action ourselves.

“But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.’”

Mark 10:27  NKJV

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Hebrews 11:6  NKJV