Positive Thinking = Positive Results! by Rev. Teresa Stuefloten, M.Div. 7/12/2026

Good morning! This is Rev Teresa. This morning I am speaking on Positive Thinking = Positive Results. This is the power of positive thinking, aligning with the Divine to do what you want or need to do, have what you need in your life and have a positive experience of this life in the physical body.

We know in Divine Science that we create our experience of life  through our thoughts, words and actions. When our thoughts, words, and actions are positive, we create a positive life for ourselves.

When our thoughts, words and actions are negative, we create a negative life for ourselves. If we are often angry and irritable, striking out at others through our words and actions, we will create an unpleasant life. If we believe we are a victim, that we are at the mercy of other people’s thoughts, words and actions, then that is what we will be because that is what we will create.

When our thoughts, words and actions are positive we create a positive experience of life. When we believe we are capable and can do the things we want to do, we will be successful. When we believe that we have power over our own life, we will have power.

We are Divine Expressions, made in the image and likeness of God. God is omnipotent, all-powerful. God is the all-powerful  Creator. We, too are all-powerful creators. The problem is that too often we don’t realize what we are creating. We are not even aware that we are creating. We are creating unconsciously.

In order to become a positive thinker we need to bring awareness to our thoughts. What is it that we habitually think about? What are the thoughts that float just beneath the surface of our awareness? The Buddhists call this mindfulness, paying attention to what is in our mind. Endeavoring to be awake and aware in each moment is mindfulness.

The book, “Divine Science, It’s Principle and Practice,” says, “Divine Science transfers the attention from the visible to the Invisible and thus gives us a new and correct basis for our thinking. We become conscious of being unlimited Spirit. We live in the fullness of Spirit, the Kingdom of Unity. We claim health, power, knowledge, and all good; claim our wholeness complete in infinite Good. As we do this, we enjoy the Good, and have peace and rest. Since the living God is around us, above us, and through us all, we are protected and shielded by the perfect Good at all times.”

                                                                                                                                                    If we form the perfect idea of divine humanity, perceiving all as One, knowing there is nothing lacking… we shall manifest power over external conditions and reveal more and more of the Life which we live until we express harmony divine. There is no standard but God, hence whatever He is should be our guide for every thought, word, and act. We know that He is Life, Love and Power, Knowledge, Health, Perfection, Success, and all that we can conceive to be good. To be free from experiences contrary to this Good we must think in accordance with these inherent attributes. Philippians 4:8, ‘Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report… think on these things.’” (End of quote)

Christ Jesus was a positive thinker. He believed without a shadow of a doubt that he could do whatever he set out to do. Jesus knew his oneness with God, whom he called Father. He knew that he had all of the attributes of the Father, and he knew he was one with the Father.

There is a misconception that Jesus is the only son of God. We are all sons and daughters of God. Jesus said, “The words that I speak I do not speak of myself; but my Father who abides with me does the works.” John 14:10 Jesus did not take personal credit. He credited his oneness with God for creating miracles.

Jesus knew that he was not the only one who was one with the Father. He knew that all beings are one with the Father. He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, He who believes in me shall do the works which I do; and even greater than these things shall he do…” He would not have said this if he is the only one who is one with the Father. By saying this he is saying that if we believe in our oneness with God, and thus our oneness with all of God’s inherent attributes, then we, too, will have the power to create all Good in our life, and in the lives of others who believe in the Good and allow the Good to manifest. We cannot force the Good on others who refuse to allow it and insist on being negative. All of us have free will.

The Bible records the account of Jesus walking on the water in both the books of Matthew and Mark. Jesus did not set out over the water in trepidation that he might sink. He did not say, “Gee, I sure hope I can do this, because if I can’t, I might drown.” No, He believed absolutely that he could and would walk on the water. He did not entertain even a minuscule doubt. He strode out on the water, confident that he had the ability to walk on water.

Matthew’s account says:

And immediately he (Jesus) urged his disciples to get into the boat, in advance of him, to the crossing place, while he dismissed the people. And when he had dismissed the people, he went up to the mountain alone to pray; and when darkness fell he was still there alone. But the boat was many miles away from the land, tossed by the waves, for the wind was against it. And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the water. And his disciples saw him walking on the water, and they were frightened, and they said, “It is a false vision,” and cried out because of their fear. But Jesus spoke to them at once and said, “Have courage; it is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered, saying, “My Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said to him, “Come.” So Peter went down from the boat and walked on the water, to come to Jesus. But when he saw the wind was strong, he was afraid, and began to sink, and he raised his voice and said, “My Lord, save me!” And our Lord immediately stretched out his hand and grasped him; and he said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”And when they got into the boat, the wind quieted down. And they who were in the boat  came and worshiped him; and they said, “Truly you are the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:22–33, Lamsa)

Peter did not have absolute belief that he could walk on water, so he began to sink. Jesus makes it clear that it was Peter’s doubt that caused him to sink. Peter did not have absolute faith that his oneness with God would allow him to walk on the water without sinking, as Jesus had done. Peter’s consciousness was not yet to the point of realizing his absolute oneness with God.

Jesus calmed a storm by exercising his power over the wind and the sea, due to his absolute knowledge of his oneness with God. This story is recorded three places in the Bible: in Matthew, Mark and Luke.

From Mark 4:35-41 Jesus Calms the Storm (Lamsa):

On that day at evening, he said to them (his disciples), “Let us cross over to the landing place.” And they left the people, and  took him away while he was in the boat. And there were other boats with them. And there arose a heavy storm and wind, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that the boat was nearly filled. But Jesus was sleeping on a blanket in the stern of the boat; and they came and roused him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care if we are perishing?” So he got up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still.” Then the wind quieted down, and there was a great calm. And he said to them, “Why are you so fearful? And why do you have no faith?” And they were exceedingly afraid, and said to each other, “Oh, who is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Jesus was able to command the wind and the sea because of his absolute knowledge of his oneness with God. He knew he possessed all of the powers of the Divine. He did not say, ‘Gee, I hope this works, because if it doesn’t, we are in trouble!” Jesus’ thinking was completely positive. He believed absolutely in his oneness with the Father, and his ability to use the power of the Divine that flowed through him in his oneness, to calm dangerous conditions.

When he fed the 5,000, Christ Jesus believed that the small basket of fish and loaves were enough to feed all of them. He believed that God is our Source and provides all that is needed. He did not doubt. He knew the Truth. He had the Power of positive thinking.

Christ Jesus did many healings through his knowledge of his oneness with God and his unwavering positive thinking. He knew he could command the Divine Power of his Father.

When Jesus healed the man paralyzed for 38 years by the pool in Bethesda, he believed that the man could pick up his bed and walk. Though the man had been unable to walk for many years, when Christ Jesus told him to walk, he believed he could and he walked. (John 5:1-15)

The woman who touched the hem of Christ Jesus’ garment, when he was in a large crowd, believed that she would be healed and she was healed. She didn’t even need to talk to Jesus to ask him to heal her. She believed 100% that if she could touch Jesus’ hem she would be healed from the constant bleeding she had had for 12 years. She manifested her healing through her strong faith and her positive thinking. (Matthew 9:20-22)

The government official who asked Jesus to heal his son believed that his son would be healed and he was. He believed it would happen without Jesus going to his house, just saying the words. Jesus declared the man’s son would live and he did, just through Jesus’ positive belief and his spoken word. (John 4:46-54)

Jesus also healed a centurion’s paralyzed servant from a distance due to the strong faith of the centurion and Jesus’ knowledge of his oneness with the Father. (Matthew 8:5-13)

Jesus healed a man who was born blind by mixing his saliva with dirt and putting the mud on the man’s eyes, then asking him to wash in the pool of Siloha. The man washed and came out seeing. Was the mud necessary? It was only necessary for the blind man in order to stimulate his positive thinking and faith that he would have sight. For Christ Jesus it was not necessary. His faith in his ability to heal through his oneness with the Father was rock solid. He had the power of positive thinking. (John 9:1-11)

Jesus also restored sight to Timaeus and told him that it was his faith that had healed him. Faith is the power of positive thinking. (Mark 10:46-52)

Jesus healed a leper who believed positively that Jesus could heal him, falling at his feet and saying, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Jesus’ response was “I am willing; be clean.” His leprosy disappeared in that hour. (Mark 1:4-45)

Christ Jesus’ actualization of his oneness with the Father was so complete that he was able to raise Lazarus from death, though he had been in the tomb for 4 days. That is complete positivity. (John 11)

If there is something we want to do in our life, we have to believe we can do it in order to be successful. Positive thinking = Positive results!

I went to seminary in my 50s. I was at a spiritual retreat when several different people asked me if I had ever thought of doing the seminary program. It was a 4 year masters degree program, and my initial reaction was, “Absolutely not!” But after the retreat the idea kept coming back to me. As I was considering the idea I calculated how old I would be when I finished the program. I initially decided I was too old to go to seminary. I put off the decision for two more years because I had young grandchildren and I wanted to have time for them. When I finally decided to apply to the program I was 53 years old. So, how old would I be when I finished the program? I would be 58 years old. And if I decided not to do the program, how old would I be in 4 years? The same, 58 years old! I was going to be 4 years older whether I did the program or not. I told myself that I could do it if I wanted to. I decided I wanted to do it and began thinking positively about the journey I was about to embark on. And I did it!

There were many challenges along the way, and positive thinking carried me through. One challenge that sticks with me was the final exam for the first semester, which was all essay and very comprehensive, including all of the books we had read that semester. We were to do the exam at home and turn it in via email. The dean of the seminary decided she has going away for the holidays and the final exam would now be due several days earlier. Though my initial reaction was to panic, I asked within for Divine guidance and was given the message that if I meditated 5 minutes of every hour I would complete the exam on time. This is what I did, feeling newly confident of a positive outcome, and the exam was completed in Divine timing.

My friend, Chuck, who I met through the COPD group that I joined to help Rev. Mark, has stage 4 COPD with less than 20% lung function. At one point he was unable to even get off of the toilet without help. He had the positive belief that he could improve his physical condition by working with a trainer on exercises that would strengthen his body. Chuck also has the blessing of a strong faith in God. He is now able to take regular walks, walk up and down a hill near his home, go shopping, and is feeling much better. He wears his oxygen and says it is a tool. Chuck’s power of positive thinking got him back to an active life, enjoying his baby grandson and his family. And he is an admin for the COPD group, posting uplifting messages to lift others, sharing his positive thinking. Positive thinking = Positive results!

Is there something you have thought of doing in your life, perhaps something that comes back to you periodically? Is there something you have wanted to do, but told yourself you could not do. What is the perceived obstacle that keeps you from pursuing it? What are your thoughts about it? Is there any negative thinking that is holding you back? Is there any fear holding you back? Are there any false ideas holding you back? Is there a way you can think positively about the idea and explore the possibility of doing it?

What is your image of yourself? Do you think of yourself as a capable person? Do you think of yourself as an attractive person? Can you look in the mirror and like what you see? Do you feel you have good qualities? How would you describe yourself, your qualities and your image? Are you aware that you are made in God’s image and likeness?

It is important to have a positive view of yourself. You cannot think positively if you have a negative view of yourself. You are a Divine expression. It is important to see your own value. You cannot create a positive life with a negative view of yourself.

Look in the mirror and say to yourself, “I am a beautiful Divine expression. I am capable of doing whatever I believe I can do. With my positive thoughts I create a positive life for myself. I commit to thinking positively and turning my thoughts around when I catch myself in negative thinking. I deserve a positive and happy life. It is my Divine birthright.” Positive thinking = Positive results!

And so it is!