Placebo Power

Placebos are substances with no therapeutic effect used to test actual medicines. Surprisingly, placebos can affect our thoughts and our thoughts can affect our health. 

 

This works two ways: People taking placebos may recover from a health problem more quickly because they think they're taking medication; conversely, people taking placebos sometimes complain of the medicine's side effects even though it's only a sugar pill.

We know that stress and negative attitudes hinder healing, and positive attitudes help it.

So what's my point? My point is that no matter our situation, it's good to obey the commands of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Philippians 4:8-9:  

"Give thanks in all circumstances" and "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.… And the God of peace will be with you." 

But don't take this too far. Our thoughts affect our well-being, but God doesn't promise health and wealth. What He promises is this: Spending time in thanksgiving and praise each day and developing positive thought patterns makes our lives spiritually healthier. And it cannot help but affect our attitudes and our physical well-being.

If you want some more confirmation about the power of our thoughts, see these 1-minute devotions from the archives:
A Half-Full Faith
The Power of Negative Self-Talk
Tell Yourself the Truth

If you want to better understand the errors of false teachings that promise healing see these devotions:

The Power and the Limit of Words

Heavenly Promises Versus Earthly Promises

Proverbs 23:7 Does Not Mean We Become What We Think

Misunderstandings About the Stripes of Jesus

Bible Love Notes