While mind control of objects, situations or people sounds like science fiction, there is a type of mind control that is essential to good relationships with others. The Bible summarizes it In I Corinthians 13: 7 by saying “ [love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”. The key phrase is “believes all things”.
This does not mean that we believe everything we hear about someone. Rather, we believe the best about others so that what we hear is questioned until we know differently. We do not go around expecting the worst from a person, but rather the best. Our expectation of another person is set at its highest rather than its lowest.
Such an attitude paves the way for the best possible relationship with others. We might actually propel them along by our expectations. Teachers have discovered this principle. Often what we expect from a student is exactly what we get. Having high expectations that are communicated in what we say and how we respond to others goes a long way to lifting that person up to the level of our expectation. Of course, it can work the other way also, causing them to respond at a lower level because of our lower level of expectation.
Why not try some “mind control” in your relationships. See if you don’t have a better outlook on others. Notice how they seem to do better and respond better as well.
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