Often when I bring up the topic of giving people permission to succeed, someone will say, "But Fred, that sounds like prosperity theology, or "God- must- make- it-so" thinking. It's not. There's nothing I oppose more than prosperity theology. I think it's disrespectful to our intelligence and to God.
Prosperity theology says, in effect, that because God likes me, He makes me rich… not at all. The Bible says God gives opportunities and the ability to be faithful. He doesn't work some formula for favorites. Personal success is possible, not divinely guaranteed. There is no automatic prospering here, no putting God under obligation.
But the key difference is in the definition of prosper. It doesn't mean you'll be better known than other people or richer. The biblical definition is that you'll mature as a Christian and use a greater portion of the talents God has given you. That is true prosperity- this is true success.
I believe in keeping a positive attitude and seeing possibilities, if realistic. I do not accept thinking that says I can do anything I think I can do. That is unreal. Whenever anyone quotes Paul's wonderful confession "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" out of context I picture Shaquille riding in the Kentucky Derby atop a greatly sagging steed and laugh. The permission to succeed is not carte blanche permission taken to the ridiculous. And if something is unreal, it is not divine, because if there is anything God is, it's real.
When I express belief in someone and give them permission to succeed I am not saying, "The whole world is yours; you can do whatever you think you can do." I am simply saying that based upon observation and interaction I believe the person can excel at their chosen profession. It is a positive statement but rooted in a realistic assessment of abilities. I clearly want them to see their opportunities in relationship to their talents and their skills. I am giving them freedom to be who they have the capacity to be --- not the pipe-dream of achieving the unachievable --- that is discouragement, not encouragement. That would be bondage, not freedom. Think of the heaviness of operating under the "permission" that said no door will be closed and then recognizing true reality.
A second problem with overly optimistic thinking is that it can be rooted in egotism or in greed or in exploitation. I believe in positive thinking, to be Christian, must be rooted in gratitude to God. You can think positively, for example, about your possibilities on Wall Street. But if your success is built on inside trading, you cannot thank God for that.
Permission to succeed is miles from these two unrealistic views. When we consider what giving permission is, we must always keep in mind what permission is NOT. This keeps us focused and balanced.
