I champion two causes, it’s true—
Christianity for me, and Liberty for you.
For my soul, faith’s embrace,
For my children, freedom’s grace—
To choose to believe or eschew.
I see the dawn with open eyes,
a light that beckons, clear and wise.
In mankind’s salvation, I believe—
a reason to hope and not to grieve.
Yet shadows lurk where doubts reside,
where qualms and fear collide—inside.
The devil whispers, sharp and sly,
imagining the worst, my hopes will die.
History holds its truths and scars,
to remind us of our strife and wars.
But hope and faith—our future’s bright—
not echoes of the gone, or of the night.
To wish for what, was once black and blue—
a memory that blinds, a lie in plain view.
Life withers, fades, slips through my hand—
while the future calls, for me to take a stand.
The cause I live for, pure and high—
the next generation, the newborn sky.
From our ancestors, we learn to grow,
to build a world for our children to know.
It’s not fuzzy thought or a recited prayer—
it’s a pledge, a mighty weight to bear.
A higher cause beyond you or me—
a purpose deep, a promise that’s key.
And in that cause, my Symbol stands—
Jesus’ love and His eternal plans.
His righteousness, my guiding light—
explaining the meaning, making my life right.
So, do you choose—hope’s gentle glow—
or fears that darken, doubts that grow?
The answer lies within your heart—
faith that’s living, or a world falling apart.
Edited by: ElRoyPoet, 2025
The Power of Faith and Hope: A Psychological Perspective on Positivity and Higher Purpose
Human beings are inherently complex, navigating a landscape filled with uncertainties, fears, and hopes. Our outlook on life—whether optimistic or pessimistic—profoundly influences our mental health, decision-making, and overall well-being. From a psychological perspective, faith and hope serve as vital tools that help us cope with life’s challenges, providing purpose and resilience. Let’s explores the duality of positive and negative thinking, the importance of faith in shaping our future, and the role of higher purpose—particularly faith in a higher power—in fostering psychological strength.
The Psychological Basis of Hope and Positivity
Hope, as defined by Snyder et al. (1991), is a cognitive-motivational construct involving agency (goal-directed energy) and pathways (planning to meet goals). Those who maintain hope tend to focus on positive future outcomes, which enhances resilience and reduces distress. Positivity bias, a well-documented phenomenon in psychology, involves the tendency to interpret information favorably, leading to better mental health outcomes (Taylor, 1989). When I choose to see the good in mankind and expect the best, I engage these psychological mechanisms, bolstering my emotional well-being and motivating constructive action.
Conversely, catastrophizing—a cognitive distortion identified by Beck (1967)—leads individuals to anticipate the worst outcomes, often amplifying fear and anxiety. When I succumb to negative thinking, imagining that “the devil is in the details,” I activate a cycle of worry and despair that undermines my confidence and hampers my ability to cope effectively. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to help individuals recognize and reframe these distortions, promoting healthier thinking patterns (Beck et al., 1979).
Faith in the Future Versus Obsessive Nostalgia
While history is a repository of facts, scars, and lessons, our hope and faith are rooted in the future. Clinging to the past—wishing for things to return as they once were—is a common psychological trap, often linked to denial or nostalgia (Mannheim, 1959). Psychologists warn that an excessive focus on restoring the past can hinder adaptation and growth, leading to frustration and stagnation. Embracing the future requires acceptance that life is transient and irreversible; life withers away, and progress depends on our capacity to learn from the past without becoming enslaved to it.
The importance of forward-looking hope aligns with existential psychology, which emphasizes creating meaning in life despite life’s inevitable impermanence (Yalom, 1980). By focusing on the next generation and building a better future, we find purpose and motivation. This perspective echoes Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development, where contributing to society and nurturing future generations are fundamental to achieving a sense of identity and integrity.
Living for a Cause Greater Than Ourselves
Psychologically, purpose and meaning are crucial for well-being. Frankl (1946) argued that individuals who pursue meaningful goals are more resilient to suffering and despair. My conviction that the cause I live for is larger than myself—such as advocating for the next generation—provides a sense of direction and fulfillment. It is not mere wishful thinking but a deliberate stance rooted in purpose, which enhances mental health by fostering motivation and a sense of agency.
This commitment is exemplified by the concept of intrinsic motivation, as described by Deci and Ryan (1985). When our actions align with deeply held values—such as responsibility towards future generations—we experience greater satisfaction and psychological resilience. The cause I embrace, symbolized by Jesus and His message of righteousness, embodies this purpose, offering moral guidance and a sense of divine connection that transcends personal doubts and fears.
Faith as a Source of Psychological Strength
The question arises: Is belief in God wishful thinking or a form of positive thinking? From a psychological standpoint, faith can be understood as a coping mechanism that provides comfort, stability, and meaning in the face of life’s uncertainties (Pargament, 1997). Studies have shown that religious faith correlates with better mental health outcomes, including lower levels of depression and anxiety (Koenig et al., 2012). Faith in a higher power offers a symbol—a representation of hope, righteousness, and purpose—that anchors individuals during difficult times.
Moreover, believing in God is not merely wishful thinking; it is an active cognitive process that fosters hope and resilience. The existential benefits of faith include fostering a sense of coherence, purpose, and moral guidance, which are essential for psychological well-being (Antonovsky, 1979). As Viktor Frankl concluded, meaning derived from faith and purpose sustains individuals through suffering and adversity.
In the end, our outlook on life—whether rooted in hope, faith, or despair—shapes our mental health and capacity to navigate life’s challenges. Psychological research underscores the importance of maintaining a positive outlook, cultivating hope, and pursuing higher purposes, especially those tied to meaning and morality. Faith in a higher power, such as Jesus, exemplifies this pursuit, offering a symbol of righteousness and a foundation for resilience. Ultimately, believing in something greater than oneself is not mere wishful thinking but a vital psychological resource that fosters hope, purpose, and a meaningful life.
Prompt:
I think positively—I hope for the best and look for the goodness in mankind. But if I think negatively, I tend to catastrophize and expect that the devil is in the details. So, the facts lie in your history, but my hope and my faith are in the future. Wanting things to return to what they once were is a delusion and a lie. Life withers away. The cause you must live for is the next generation. All we can do is learn from our ancestors to build a better future for our children. It’s not fuzzy thoughts—positive thinking, or believing in a higher power—It’s a commitment to a cause, a cause bigger than you and bigger than me. Every cause has a purpose; every cause has a symbol. Jesus is my Symbol, and His cause is righteousness because it is my truth and it makes life worthwhile. Is believing in God wishful thinking or simply thinking positively?
“I say emphatically that faith is not the power of positive thinking, although it is good to have a positive attitude. Faith is not the personal resolve that enables us to will some situation into being. Faith is not always the capacity to turn tragedy into celebration. Faith is a principle of power, of God’s power. We do not generate faith on our own; we do not act ourselves into faith, for it is a gift of God. Faith is a gift given by God to suit his purposes and bless the body of Christ, the church. (1 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 2:8).
People act in faith when they act according to the will of God. To say that another way, I have sufficient faith to move a mountain to the middle of the lake, only when I know that the Lord wants it moved. I have faith or power to touch the hearts of men and woman with my testimony of a truth, only when I and the listener are prepared and readied for the delivery and receipt of the word.” Excerpt from “Men of God” by: Robert L. Millet [To believe that just because I want something badly enough and with all my heart, it is also God’s will, is blasphemy, because it is like asking God to prove Himself. It’s like asking for a sign to have faith. (Matthew 12:38-39; John 4:48).]
Satan’s story to Eve in Genesis 3 and to Jesus in Matthew 4 was that they could live independently of God, that is, they could be their own god, set their own standards, let circumstances dictate their decision. But it is a lie.
Either God controls your life by your choosing to let him, or Satan controls your life by your choosing to let him and by your choosing to just go with flow. You and I were designed by God to be ruled by a spirit . Our choice is not whether to be ruled, but rather by which spirit we will be ruled.
So, the Christian’s life is based on decisions, the process of making deliberate right choices without being swayed by Satan’s input into our appetites or emotions.
In Satan’s temptation of Eve in Genesis 3 and in his temptation of Jesus in Matthew 4, we see the tactics he used and still uses with us. While varied in their details, most temptations fall into one of three categories as listed in 1 John 2:16: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Excerpts from How does Satan tempt us?
“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:16 [I am NOT citing this Bible verse to pass judgment on YOUR soul. I know this admonishment is a “hard pill to swallow”, because of how little TRUTH is really taught today. I also know how burdensome it is to be different, when even church “culture” seems to overlap more and more with the world’s.]
How Can Jesus Be the Only Way?
So, You Just Became a Christian?
To the nonbeliever, life can seem mundane: live for today, for tomorrow it will end. Pining for an unfulfilled life will sap the joy from your tree of life. To the believer, life can be burdensome—”works without faith is dead.” James 2:17 Today leads to tomorrow, and tomorrow to heaven, but when? An eternity can seem so far away. But don’t worry about your next destination, for life is a series of intermissions, and as long as you honor your Creator, you don’t have to despair because you’re on His journey.
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34
“We can stand in the place and stead of the Lord Jesus Christ in administering salvation to the children of men. He preached the gospel; so can we. He spoke by the power of the Holy Ghost; so can we. He served as a missionary; so can we. He went about doing good; so can we. He performed the ordinances of salvation; so can we. He kept the commandments; so can we. He wrought miracles; such also is our privilege if we are true and faithful in all things.” By: Bruce R. McConkie
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