We read the compelling story of the 12 spies in Numbers 13. What’s amazing about this account of Israel’s history is simple and profound. 12 spies went to look over Canaan, the land God was going to give them. Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, were ready to take the land because they knew how big God was. The other 10 spies looked more at the obstacles than the power and ability of God, and thought it was impossible.

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” (Numbers 13:30-31 NIV)

These spies were all together. They saw the exact same stuff. We all look at the same situations every day. Some choose to walk in faith, believing that God is who He says He is. Others, starring squarely into the face of a problem, are paralyzed with fear.

If you want to think and move forward like Joshua and Caleb, then continue to spend time with God in His Word every day. The more you see what He’s capable of doing throughout human history, the more confident you’ll be in what He can do right now in your life.

The difference is not in the circumstances, it’s in who or what you focus on in the midst of it.