TITLE: Self-fulfilling Prophecies
TEXT: Job 3:23-26 ²³ Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, And whom God has hedged in? ²⁴ For my sighing comes before I eat, And my groanings pour out like water. ²⁵ For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me. ²⁶ I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for trouble comes.”
PROPOSITION: Our negative thinking becomes reality.
QUESTION: Why?
KEY WORD: Reasons

INTRODUCTION:

1. “I was afraid this would happen.”

2. I feared this for years – Now it has happened to me.

Self-fulfilling prophecies

1. Parents and children – dumb, stupid, never amount to anything, ugly, fat

2. About ourselves – ability, fears, doubts, anxieties, can’t learn computers, “I am too old to try that.”

3. Others – church, family, friends, associates, marriages, children

4. Elvis’ mother died at 48. Elvis feared 48. Died at 48.

We do all the wrong things – look the wrong direction

1. Bike rider – look at the curb or rock you want to avoid – hit the curb or rock

2. Golf – Don’t drive this ball in the water – Splash!

3. Baseball – Pitcher is told, Do not pitch him low and outside. Pitch goes low and outside.

4. In all cases – we were looking at the problem instead of the solution.

5. David – 1 Samuel 17 - Do you look at the Princess or the problem?

6. Hebrews 12:1-2 – Run the race – Looking unto Jesus

7. Matthew 14:30 – Peter walked on water, then saw the waves and sank

Reason – We were not designed to think in the negative.

1. Bike rider – look where you WANT to go.

2. Pitcher – think where the pitch should go.

3. Golfer – look where you want the ball to land.

4. Look to Jesus – Not at the waves and wind

Biggest Self-Fulfilling Prophecy = “Can’t”

1. I can’t do that. Not my talent.

2. I can’t hit his curve ball. Here comes a curve ball. Strike 3.

3. I can’t lead singing, teach a class, preach a sermon

4. My “Can’t” becomes “Impossible”.

5. CONCLUSION: “I told you that is what would happen.”