Robert Turner of Christ Church in Newark discusses ability to focus on positives instead of our difficulties
ByColumnist
Published: 05:00, 19 July 2026
In this week’s Credo column, Robert Turner of Christ Church in Newark discusses the ability to focus on the positives instead of our difficulties…
So much of what we read is of a negative nature. That is why I find reading the Bible so refreshing, reassuring and encouraging — because it is so positive
The biblical book of Proverbs contains many wise sayings and gives us much practical advice
A favourite bible verse of mine found in that book is Proverbs4:20-22 which states: “My son, pay attention to what I say, listen closely to my words; do not let them out of your sight. Keep them within your heart for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.”
I enjoy reading Christian biographies as they help to build and challenge my faith, and I have recently read about the life of Derek Prince
He declared himself to be an atheist at university but while serving with the British army in World War II he began to read and study the bible and became a Christian. He went on to become a missionary, bible teacher and an acclaimed author of more than 100 books
On one occasion, as a relatively young Christian, while he was serving in the forces in World War II and stationed in North Africa, he was suffering with his feet and heard that he was to go on a lengthy route march
He had been reading the verses from Proverbs I have quoted above but faced a dilemma. Could he believe the scripture or not march and claim sickness because of his feet? He chose to believe the word of God and set out on the route march
God was faithful and he returned with his feet in better condition than when he began and much better than many of his fellow soldiers
Derek Prince has now been promoted to Glory but we can apply this faith principle to our present-day life situations as Derek Prince did in his day
His focus was on the promise contained in scripture and not on his circumstances, which were subsequently changed and turned around by applying the promise of scripture to his circumstances
The Victorian social reformer William Wilberforce is remembered for successfully campaigning for the abolition of slavery, but it took him nearly 30 years to achieve his goal
When the going got tough he refused to focus on the difficulties he faced, and instead focused on the positive promises of scripture
He committed to memory the whole of Psalm 119, which is the longest of the psalms and regularly declared the truths it contains over his difficulties. In so doing he saw the transforming power of God’s word
Life is not always easy and there are many things which would come against us and rob us of our peace, but we can put our trust and confidence in the words of God “for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.”
So let us enjoy “life and health” as we read God’s word and put it into practice
NewarkOpinionColumnist
