All Psyched Up: Faith or works

By Linda Hancock on October 19, 2024.

Ancient scriptures state: “Faith without works is dead” but this doesn’t tell the whole story.

There is a time for faith and a time for works.

According to the online Oxford dictionary, faith is “complete trust or confidence in someone or something.” Many times, in my life I have had faith when no one else shared the same perspective. Because I had seen patterns repeat over and over again with people and societies, I had a clue about what would likely happen next.

I remember entering a popular store years ago and hearing the owner announce to the customers that I was the best therapist ever. She stated that on our first meeting she had only been in my office for a few short minutes when I asked her “Who is the alcoholic in your life?” She was astounded that I was able to ask a question that had meaning for her without knowing the circumstances she had experienced. I just knew from the way that she acted and the things she said that she had been around alcoholics. You see, I had treated many clients with the same mannerisms in the past and experience led me to that place.

Malcolm Gladwell has written several interesting books, but my favourite is “Blink.” He explains how this ability is found in many settings and is a wonderful read.

Faith is also having the assurance that you have done your best so that all the pieces are in place for positive results. It is like planting corn seeds in good soil under prime growing conditions. You just know that a crop will be harvested in time.

Many people have a spiritual faith that trusts the outcomes of life to someone who is bigger and more powerful. Some just adopt a stance of faith without anything to support it. They state that they just have an intuition that gives them peace.

Works or action are also an importance part of life. Those who never put any effort into their lives are frequently disappointed. Even though others might take care of them for a period of time, they usually end up finding out that those who help at the beginning end up being tired, disappointed and resentful.

Many decades ago, author Napoleon Hill wrote: “A goal is a dream with a deadline.” This statement implies that we need to dream but also invest so that it is realized by a stated date.

All of us need both faith and works. Life is about having dreams, believing in something of value and enjoying the rewards of success.

This week, work on a simple exercise. Draw a vertical line down the middle of a blank sheet of paper. On the left side write a dream that you would like to grasp. On the right-hand side of the paper, in point form, start writing out the steps that would be needed to see the dream realized.

Now, at the top of the page write “My goal is to reach this dream by (enter a date)”. There is magic that occurs when you put things in writing.

Finally, pretend that you are in the kitchen creating a new recipe using your faith and works.

Take one cup of dream and add a large pinch of faith. Consult with others who will suggest and provide other ideas and ingredients to make the masterpiece more enticing. Pour the mixture into your heart and bake for the designated time. Test often to ensure doneness.

Enjoy!

Bake up something wonderful this week.

Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Calgary. She can be reached by email at office@drlindahancock.com

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