Become an Inverse Paranoid

Jack Canfield's Success Principle #6

(1) Believe that the world is plotting to do you good.
A paranoid person believes that everyone is plotting to do him harm. To become an inverse paranoid, we must begin to believe that everyone is plotting to do us good.

In today's lesson, Jack provides a quote from Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich: "Every negative event contains within it the seed of an equal or greater benefit."

Sometimes, events which seem like a terrible nightmare actually turn out to be blessings in disguise. One day, I was riding to work with Joe. As he pulled into our design shop's parking lot, I suddenly realized that my left arm felt like a dead weight. I assumed that I was having a stroke, so we headed to the hospital. By the time we got there, I had lost the feeling in my left leg.

At the time, this seemed like a terrible turn of events. I lost my ability to sew, and we had to close down our drapery workroom. Joe nearly dropped out of seminary, because the pressure of studying, working, and taking care of me felt so overwhelming. But in the midst of the turmoil, in the quiet of long days spent at home alone, I discovered the beauty of Scripture and the joy of a close relationship with Jesus. I also discovered that my purpose involved more writing than sewing.

When we lose everything we believe to be important, we either give up, or we look for the good in it. Romans 8:28 reads, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. If we cling to this promise when things take a turn for the worse, we can sustain the joy of living, no matter what.

(2) Figure out how to use every setback to your advantage.
Every time something sets us back, we must look at the situation and ask how we can turn a negative into a positive. For instance, getting hit by a drunk driver this summer wasn't high on my list of must-do activities for the year. But I can tell you that a lot of good has resulted from it.

In searching for relief from my pain, I met a woman who practices healing touch. Her interventions have provided pain relief, as well as deeper insight into my spirit. Today, I will attend a healing touch workshop to consider learning more about this modality.

(3) Look for the opportunity in every event.
After we've experienced a number of setbacks, looking for opportunities just becomes second-nature. If you haven't yet achieved this habit, make a small card or poster with the question, What's the opportunity that this presents? Place it on your desk or near your computer so that you will constantly be reminded to look for the good in things.

Begin each day by repeating, "I believe the world is plotting to do me good today. I can't wait to see what it is!"

(4) Look for opportunities in every encounter.
Mark Victor Hansen approached Jack and told him that he wanted to help with the book Jack was writing. At first, Jack declined, because half of the work was already done. But Mark persuaded Jack to let him help. It was an excellent decision, because they estimate that it increased their profits and influence ten-fold.

We must not be afraid to let other people help us on our way to our dreams. Two heads are always better than one. And we must not be greedy about our work, either, keeping to ourselves so that we can get all of the rewards in the end.

For years, I have been struggling with the idea of putting together a seminar business. I want to teach women new life skills so that they can learn how to thrive. Pulling together all of the paper work for starting a new business felt so overwhelming, that I realized after reading this principle that I needed help.

I called the Small Business Administration and told the expert in small business start-up that I couldn't figure out how to marry my ideas for writing, seminars, and quilting classes.
"It all feels so difficult," I said.
"It's actually pretty easy." he said.
Easy? I was amazed that someone might look at my dilemma as a simple problem. When he offered to meet with me one-on-one, I jumped at the opportunity. I can't wait to see how God uses this meeting to further his purposes for my life.

(5) Remember that God must have something better in store for us.
Whether things are going well or falling apart, we must remember that God is always leading us into the right experiences to fulfill our purpose. When we lose our jobs, flunk a class, get divorced, lose a loved one, or experience failing health; we must focus on the thought that the experience is part of a bigger picture that God has designed.

Exodus 23:20 from the Message Bible reads, Now get yourselves ready. I'm sending my Angel ahead of you to guard you in your travels, to lead you to the place that I've prepared. Knowing that God promises to provide protection should give us courage to boldly move forward with our plans. Understanding that he knows where he's taking us helps us stay on the right track, provided we're listening to him.

Today's Challenge
Make a list with two columns. Title the left column, Setbacks. Title the right one, Opportunities. Write out on the left side 10 terrible events that seem to have set you back. Then, record in the right column 10 ways that God used those tragedies to provide you with greater opportunities to achieve your dreams.