Daniel Seabaugh

Christianity claims that truth exists. Not my truth or your truth, but real, objective truth—a reality that is present whether we believe it or not and functions whether we exist or not.

Because truth exists, our thoughts matter. We must take every thought captive, making it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). We must concern ourselves with things that matter to God, not merely things we believe will make our lives better, easier, or more enjoyable.

I regularly meet people who promote a worldview of positive thinking. In fact, there are religions and schools of thought that major in it. Such belief systems claim, to a greater or lesser degree, that positive thinking saves people from sin, grief, pain, brokenness, and even eternal damnation in hell. They’re attractive because they give us a sense of control. And in an age of chaos, a little control feels comforting.

In troubling times, advocates of positive thinking say things like, “Just think positive thoughts, and things will improve.” The assumption is that our thought patterns determine ultimate reality, not a being who exists and runs the universe regardless of our thoughts.

But can positive thinking actually save us? Can it rescue us from the brokenness of our lives? Can it heal us in a wholistic, soul-level kind of way?

There are at least two reasons why it cannot.

First, to live without truth is to live without healing. Said another way, a life without truth is a life of masking over problems. For example, when I’m anxious and think to myself, “I just need to conjure up a happy thought, and my anxiety will leave,” I’ll miss opportunities to address the source of my anxiety and find a lasting solution.

If I think about rowing a boat on a peaceful stream while my children are distraught and throwing toys at each other, I’ll miss the opportunity to parent wisely and be a person of reconciliation.

If my wife tells me she wants a divorce because she’s in love with another man, positive thoughts won’t save my marriage.

The world is broken, and people are complex. Life isn’t easy. Positive thinking won’t change the fact that our world is hurting and full of trauma. Sure, positive thinking may change the way we perceive the world around us, but it won’t address anything beyond our own self-absorption.

The second reason I believe positive thinking can’t save us is because sin exists. Sin ruins our relationship with God and others. It’s responsible for all the suffering, pain, and injustice in our world.

The Scriptures say if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8).

Sin exists and fractures everything. It also hampers our ability to consistently think positive thoughts. Perhaps you’ve picked up on this while trying to think happy thoughts over an extended period of time. It never lasts. We’re always sucked back into the vortex of negativity and stress.

We must acknowledge our brokenness. We are the problem with the world. Jesus went to the cross because our sin was horrendous. But he gladly went because his love for us is infinite.

Some religions, such as Christian Science, New Thought, or moralistic, therapeutic, deism, find a savior not in Jesus but in positive thinking, thought gymnastics, or transcending the material world through the power of the mind. Within such a framework, sin isn’t the problem. The problem is negative thoughts such as “all have sinned.” According to such a worldview, the belief in sin makes us ill, angry, greedy, or selfish. But it’s a lie. It cannot save anyone.

The truth is that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). And God has laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6). By his wounds, we are healed (Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:24).

To be clear, I’m all for positive thinking when it’s rooted in truth, such as, “I am loved and have a beautiful inheritance in Christ.” I’m not a fan of the kind of positive thinking that claims, “I can do anything I set my mind to” or “God will not give me more than I can handle.” Both statements are false because we all have limitations, and God regularly gives us more than we can handle because he wants us to rely on him, not our own strength.

Truthful thoughts are greater than positive thoughts because truth sets us free (John 8:32). Positive thinking is great when immersed in truth. But positive thoughts often get unhinged from reality, causing us to get stuck in cycles of frustration and deception.