THE POWER OF THE WORD
“By thy words thou shalt be justified,
and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
A person knowing the power of the word, becomes very careful of his conversation. He has only to watch the reaction of his words to know that they do “not return void.” Through his spoken word, man is continually making laws for himself.
I knew a man who said, “I always miss a car. It invariably pulls out just as I arrive.”
His daughter said: “I always catch a car. It’s sure to come just as I get there.” This occurred for years. Each had made a separate law for himself, one of failure, one of success. This is the psychology of superstitions.
The horseshoe or rabbit’s foot contains no power, but man’s spoken word and belief that it will bring him good luck creates expectancy in the subconscious mind, and attracts a “lucky situation.” I find however, this will not “work” when man has advanced spiritually and knows a higher law. One cannot turn back, and must put away “graven images.” For example: Two men in my class had had great success in business for several months, when suddenly everything “went to smash.” We tried to analyze the situation, and I found, instead of making their affirmations and looking to God for success and prosperity, they had each bought a “lucky monkey.” I said: “Oh I see, you have been trusting in the lucky monkeys instead of God.” “Put away the lucky monkeys and call on the law of forgiveness,” for man has power to forgive or neutralize his mistakes.
They decided to throw the lucky monkeys down a coalhole, and all went well again. This does not mean, however, that one should throw away every “lucky” ornament or horseshoe about the house, but he must recognize that the power back of it is the one and only power, God, and that the object simply gives him a feeling of expectancy.
I was with a friend, one day, who was in deep despair. In crossing the street, she picked up a horseshoe. Immediately, she was filled with joy and hope. She said God had sent her the horseshoe in order to keep up her courage.
It was indeed, at that moment, about the only thing that could have registered in her consciousness. Her hope became faith, and she ultimately made a wonderful demonstration. I wish to make the point clear that the men previously mentioned were depending on the monkeys, alone, while this woman recognized the power back of the horseshoe.