Think and Grow Rich Review: Chapter Three Faith
Quotes
There are two primary forces in this world, fear and faith. Fear can move you to destructiveness or sickness or failure. Only in rare instances will it motivate you to accomplishment. But faith is a greater force. Faith can drive itself into your consciousness and set you free from fear forever. – Harry Emerson Fosdick
And He *said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. – Matthew 17:20
“None of us knows what might happen even the next minute, yet still we go forward. Because we trust. Because we have faith.” ― Paulo Coelho
“Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.” – ― Max Lucado
“Sometimes beautiful things come into our lives out of nowhere. We can’t always understand them, but we have to trust in them. I know you want to question everything, but sometimes it pays to just have a little faith.” ― Lauren Kate
“Faith is walking face-first and full-speed into the dark. If we truly knew all the answers in advance as to the meaning of life and the nature of God and the destiny of our souls, our belief would not be a leap of faith and it would not be a courageous act of humanity; it would just be… a prudent insurance policy.”― Elizabeth Gilbert
The faithful man perceives nothing less than opportunity in difficulties. Flowing through his spine, faith and courage work together: Such a man does not fear losing his life, thus he will risk losing it at times in order to empower it. ―Eric Fromm
Courtesy
Abstract
Moving from Burning Desire Chapter 2 to Chapter 3 of Napoleon Hill’s TGR Epic, Faith, the power of belief, is a powerful concept to behold. By simple Faith many miracles have taken place and numerous lives have been transformed in this world through the ages. It’s knowing that God, the Creator, Infinite Intelligence has your back and you can proceed with your real purpose on earth.
I don’t believe in atheism. No atheist has yet to show proof of the origin of the Universe and Life as we know it. Even that simple atom? Who created it? It never came from nothing. Simple Faith and imagination is what separates man from beast. Our consciousness and our thought power were derived from a higher dimension and plane.
With this context and background, I know and believe simple Faith coupled with courage, hope, imagination and drive, has driven progress and innovation in the world. We need to go back deep and acknowledge that a higher power than us created this perfect world we live in.
Extreme examples of Faith
Getting marooned and stranded at Sea and captured as a Prisoner of War: Louis Zamperini Olympic Athlete, 2nd World War Prisoner of War
Louis Zamperini (January 26, 1917 – July 2, 2014) had an eventful life to put it mildly. He experienced the highs and depths of human emotions; his life story was amazing and a lesson to humanity on the power of faith and resilience.
He descended from Italian heritage, born in New York City to immigrant parents from Italy. The family relocated to California when he was 2 years of age. He was raised up in the West Coast of the United States of America.
His protective, elder brother, enrolled him in athletic track events when he was in high school, with the primary objective of keeping him away from trouble. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as he turned out to be a star athlete over time.
He eventually qualified to represent the United States of America in the 5000 meters track event at the 1936 Olympic events hosted by Germany. This was achieved at the tender age of 19 years old, to this day he is the youngest ever qualifier for this event from America.
He managed to achieve the eighth position in the event and even managed to impress Adolf Hitler the German Dictator in the manner he finished the race. “Ah, you’re the boy with the fast finish.”
After this period of glory, the 2nd World War broke out. He enlisted in the US Airforce in Sept 1941 and was deployed to the Pacific Theatre as a member of the B2 Bomber Crews. He had good luck when he survived a bombing raid and he returned to base with members who were lucky to stay alive.
His luck run out when he was deployed in a search and rescue mission on the 27th May 1943 and his plane had mechanical failure and crash landed in the Pacific Ocean. Only 3 crew members survived the crash out of the original 11 crew members.
He was adrift in the Ocean for 47 days and one of the crash survivors passed away during this period of time. They only survived on raw fish, birds and rain water for the time they were adrift. They finally drifted ashore on the Marshall Islands of the Pacific Ocean where his fate went from bad to worse.
Unfortunately, the islands by then were occupied by the Japanese Occupation force. He became a Prisoner of War and suffered brutal punishment and torture by his captors. He was transferred to four prisoner of war camps and he was mistreated due to his celebrity status as an Olympic Athlete.
The Second World War ended in August 1945 and he was released finally to a heroes welcome at home after his family thought he had perished. Loius attributed his survival to his strong Christian Faith that kept him going through his toughest moments.
It’s simply difficult imagining surviving a plane crash, then adrift for a further 47 days and then been a prisoner of war under the most inhumane conditions for the next two years. This would break the spirit of most individuals but he endured this triple tragedy and came out surviving.
That’s the power of Faith at work.
Source https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Louis_Zamperini&oldid=1189633412″
Healing
There are too many instances where individuals who have been declared terminally ill have recovered and gone onto lead normal lives. The majority of these incidents have happened after the intervention of prayer and faith coming into play.
Doctors have been left puzzled on how these individuals have been able to recover as modern science has failed to discover the rationale behind the recovery. This is pure faith and belief at work. Faith can move mountains and it has led to miraculous recoveries.
A Girl Who Survived Three Cancer Tumor growths Rachael Lozano (March 22, 1983 — February 27, 2020)
Rachael Lozano is the only confirmed case of a survivor from a rare case of cancer called the Askin’s tumor that attacks the spinal cord. She underwent three operations including a bone marrow transplant.
On her third operation the doctors begun the operation but noticed the tumor had disappeared and just restitched the surgical wound without carrying an operation. She credits the healing to attending father William Chaminade’s mass where she prayed for healing. Top 10 Miraculous Recoveries – Listverse, Tribute by Gabe Lozano
She got married but eventually died as her immunity had been lowered due to the past treatment for cancer which eventually weakened her respiratory system.
The Moon Landing
‘One small step for man, and one giant leap for mankind’ – Neil Armstrong
Without faith and belief the Apollo 11 moon landing would not have been possible. This event in 1969 showcased the potential of the human race. Exploration and breakthroughs in science and innovation have always relied on the faith and belief of the inventor.
Belief coupled with vision is what makes the impossible possible. Inventors have faith that eventually they will have break throughs and make dreams come true. Having man land in the moon, was not a thought that was possible barely 100 years back.
I am sure even entertaining the thought would have brought the individual ridicule from their peers. Yet with the advent of the second world war, ballistic missile technology was developed, satellites were also launched into space in the decade after and the thought became a possibility.
With this power of belief and vision man finally stepped out on the moon’s surface on the 20th July 1969.
Simple Examples of Faith
Dusk and Dawn
We trust the sun will set and rise each and every day of our lives. This is simple faith in the mechanics of the universe. We do not question how it works but we were born into the world and have found it working this way since we were conscious enough to recognize this fact of life.
Birds Flying
Birds hatch as chicks. In their young state an eagle cannot fly. It is raised on high points such as cliffs and high tree tops. When the time comes for the young chick to start hunting by itself, it’s parents will instinctively start to reduce the amount of food they feed the chick.
With hunger biting, and the need to explore and go out and start hunting, the chick will have to step out of the nest and soar into the wind for it’s first flight. This is a step of Faith on the chick’s part and once it has mastered this first flight and returns to the nest safely a new Eagle’s journey has begun.
Riding a Bicycle
We learn to ride bicycles at a young age. The first step is to learn how to balance on the bicycle without falling off. Our parents hold the bicycle and push it, they gently keep on releasing their hold on the bicycle and let us balance on the bicycle until we get the hang of it.
This is simple faith on the kids’ part that they will eventually learn to balance without falling off. With the reassurance of having their parents behind to catch them if they fall off, they learn how to ride the bicycle.
Swimming
Learning to swim also relies on the same principles as riding a bicycle we first have to learn how to float before we can swim.
We have to relax and have faith that the water will hold us buoyant. We start with the aid of floats and swimming at the shallow end. Once we have picked up the courage to float then we move over gradually to the deep end. We start learning to hold our breath under water and all other swimming styles start kicking in automatically
Driving a Car
Driving a manual shift car also relies on Faith and mastering simple basics. Clutch control and gear shifts are key to mastering the operation of any car.
This also begins with simple faith that we will master driving the car eventually. Baby steps are simple movements forward on a flat field or surface with an instructor present. Eventually we get the hang of the entire process.
Hope and Courage
Without Faith there are two important virtues that cannot exist. These are hope and courage. Hope and courage are what give us the resilience to face life’s obstacles and come out triumphant at the end of the day.
Hope is the belief that your wishes, goals and dreams will come true at the end of the day. Courage is the force and drive to persist and make these wishes and dreams come true. These two great virtues are derivatives of Faith.
Without faith we will lack the courage to propel ourselves through trying times and circumstances. Nelson Mandela had to stay resilient throughout his 27 year stay in prison as he fought the apartheid regime in South Africa.
If he never had Faith in his goals and vision, he would never have mastered the courage to defy the apartheid regime. He would not have hoped for a better future for his compatriots. Hope and Courage are key products of Faith.
Mission and Purpose
Faith gives us mission and purpose in our lives. If we are not sure about our outcomes we tend to drift aimlessly in life. Faith strengthens our purpose and meaning in life. Purpose is what drives our most meaningful achievements.
Faith is the portion or elixir of life that reassures us that we have a purpose on this earth. We cannot endeavor and execute great projects if we do not have the belief and faith that they will work out at the end of the day.
Mission statements and values of individuals and organizations are based on the Faith that they will endure and persist through all seasons. Mission statements and value statements are what give PURPOSE to individuals and all organizations.
Faith that the mission will be accomplished at the end of the day is what gives an overall sense of direction to the individual and organization.
Trust
Faith in individuals and organizations is what builds trust. Trust is a form of currency which says I am sure you will honor all commitments and promises you make. We must first have faith before we can build trust in any individual or entity.
Faith and trust in other individuals or organizations is derived from their reputation and integrity. It is a dynamic process which has to be maintained. Do their actions match their promises? It’s a simple equation.
If I have faith you will honor your promise, then our relationship is smooth without friction. Without faith and trust we witness relationship breakdowns and friction in society. Faith is a strong foundational element in all lives.
Summary
Faith and simple belief are powerful. Faith is what has enabled man achieve his greatest feats on this earth. You may have the desire and dreams to accomplish great goals and dreams but without simple faith in your ability to see it through, you will not be able to make it.
The greatest religious orders are built on simple faith. An example is Christianity. The Catholic church has stood for over 2000 years built on simple Faith. Islam and Judaism are also built on Faith. Faith is the guarantor of purpose and direction in life.
Resources
Read
Living by Faith: Pleasing God – by a satisfied layman
Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela – Nelson Mandela, Michael Boatman, et al
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption – Laura Hillenbrand, Edward Herrmann, et al.