"The Power of what you believe!"

The definition for belief is the state of mind in which a person thinks something to be the case, with or without there being empirical evidence to prove that something is the case with factual certainty. To believe is defined as to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something; although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so. I recently saw a video called Spirit of Python. This is a powerful video with a variety of scriptural teaching for teens based on Acts 16:16 but I recommend everyone see it. One of the inserts in the video was on the effects of marijuana. In the video the speakers talked about the power of this drug that many feel is harmless. He spoke on how if used long term it can alter one’s brain activity substantially, killing brain cells. In the video he also spoke about an experiment that inspired this article. An unnamed college conducted an experiment in which it allowed several select students to smoke pot every day for one month, and every day the students were high. However what the student didn’t know was that at the end of the month, the ingredient that causes the high was removed from the joints, nevertheless the students still functioned as if they were high…why because they believed they were. I have also heard of doctors doing studies where they place patients on prescription drugs for a certain period of time, and do not inform the patient that at some point they are simply taking sugar or water pills that only look like the prescription they are sure is making them feel better. Studies have shown that those patients continued to “feel better,” why…because they believe the medicine they are taking is helping. I said all of that to convey my point that entitles this article; there is great power in what you believe! I find it funny yet saddening that millions believe in the power of the internet, money, self-worth and other things that they can or cannot see; yet the criticize those who believe in God! I am reminded of Thomas in scripture. What a reflection of our world his statement was when he said in John 20, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” When Jesus showed up, true to his word Thomas believed, but Jesus had something to say about that in verse 29, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” I submit to you that, if you can believe all things are possible! Furthermore I submit to you the belief in God Almighty, not some random “higher power,” contains a power that is unlimited and everlasting. Don’t believe me…try it for yourself! Think about it