Any form of the word visualization seems to cause a lot of controversy in the Christian world. I’m not talking about invoking your spirit guide or anything like that. What I’m referring to is the area of ​​goal setting. See what you want to achieve. We all do it but without attaching the word “mysterious” – visualization.

When you were a child listening to Bible stories, were you able to see Jonah in the belly of the whale? Did you have a picture in your mind of the Exodus when all of God’s people crossed the Red Sea? When we are told about the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us, can we see him on the cross suffering for us?

That is visualization. We think of words and images that also cause emotion in us. If you watched the movie “The Passion,” did it turn your stomach to think of the terrible things Jesus had to endure, but he did it willingly to save you? You visualized his terrible pain and his great love for you.

We do not know the exact details of what Jesus went through. Someone had to visualize the scenes from that movie to bring it to life

I agree that there are different types of visualization. I absolutely do not agree with invoking the spirit world, chanting or anything like that. The only spirit I will ever call on is the Holy Spirit.

I think we would all agree that Dr. Charles Stanley is one of the most knowledgeable theologians of our time. He is not a preacher who would have you believe that nothing bad ever happens in the life of a Christian. He understands God’s discipline as well as God’s blessings.

I know that Dr. Stanley believes in setting goals. I looked at his website this morning and he has a CD series called “Set Your Goals and Live by Faith.” I found it interesting that you used the word “view” in your promotion of the series. It said the following:

“Dr. Stanley helps you visualize and focus on the specific things that God wants to do in your life, no matter how big or small.”

We all know that Dr. Charles Stanley is not talking about invoking your spirit guide, chanting, or anything remotely resembling the occult world. me neither

God encourages us to turn to him in prayer for everything. We must bring him our joys, our sorrows, our thanks and our praise. Yes, even our requests.

Philippians 4:6 (New International Version)

6 Be anxious for nothing; rather, in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your petitions to God.

When we have faith that God will answer our prayer, we are seeing him as our loving father who wants to help us. If you have faith in God, if you have faith he will meet your needs, if you have faith he will rescue you from a dangerous situation, you can “visualize” him answering your prayer.

Matthew 7:9 (New International Version)

9 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?

When I talk about visualizing, I mean visualizing your goals; See your success on those goals. Why wouldn’t God want to see you successful and help you reach your goals? Of course we should thank him and give him the glory for our success. It is not from us, it is from Him.

Let me give you a few more examples:

When you met your husband or wife, did you ever say to yourself, “Am I going to marry her or him?” Did you see yourself as that spouse?

Women, when you set a date for your wedding, did you start planning and envisioning every detail?

When your children were born, did you see them go to college? Did you visualize them walking across the stage accepting their diploma?

I have read many articles about visualizing an athlete. I’m sure when Tiger Woods is on the green and facing a long putt; he is visualizing the ball sinking into the hole.

As Michael Jordan approached the free throw line, he was visualizing dropping the basketball and the ball falling cleanly through the net.

Olympic athletes see themselves with a first place medal on the podium.

The bodybuilder preparing for a competition has “seen” his definition months and months before stepping on stage.

Everyone has envisioned being successful in any sport long before they got to the crux of taking action and seeing their success. They have practiced this in their minds over and over again.

You have to be able to see it before you can believe it. If you can’t believe you can succeed, you never will. If you can visualize your goals, you will begin to take the steps to get there. Once you become clear and can imagine being successful, God will give you an ability that you may not have right now. He could open doors that weren’t open for you before.

I cover visualization in my training, articles, and books. It is a very powerful tool to be able to be clear about your fitness goals. If you can “see” it, you can believe it, and you’re more likely to do what it takes to get there.

I don’t think God has a problem with us visualizing what we would look like if we were 30 pounds lighter or visualizing ourselves quitting smoking and how good it would feel to achieve those goals, do you?

I hope I was able to share some ideas about visualization with you. It is not going into an empty-minded meditation. Align your visualization with God’s will, go to God with your visualization in prayer and thanksgiving, give Him honor and glory for your success.