During the late 18th century, Elisha Perkins created a device called the Perkins Tractors. He claimed it could cure all types of pains and ailments through a strange electrifying process. The tractors consisted of two teardrop-shaped metal rods about three inches long. Perkins would hover the brass and iron metal rods over the area of the body experiencing pain with the promise that it would alleviate their discomfort.
Amazingly, this treatment was wildly successful. Hurting people all over the newly formed United States of America were finding relief from chronic pain. Some even affirmed they had been completely healed. As the news spread abroad, multitudes eagerly purchased a pair of Perkins Tractors. Even President George Washington personally owned a set.
A European doctor by the name of John Haygarth grew curious about the success of this novel discovery and decided to create a replica of the notable tool as an experiment. His rendition appeared identical to the original but was secretly made of wood instead of brass and iron. Although they looked the same on the outside, they were nothing more than dressed-up sticks.
In January 1799, with five distinguished doctors observing, he waved the fake tractors over five unsuspecting people complaining of chronic pain. Haygarth noted the results, “Four out of the five patients believed themselves immediately relieved, and three remarkably relieved by the false tractors.” Haygarth shared his discovery with his colleagues and encouraged them to do the same, to which they received similar results.
Turns out, it didn’t matter if the tractors were made from brass, iron, or a piece of wood, individuals continued to find some sort of relief. Over the last century, this phenomenon has come to be known as the Placebo Effect.
The Placebo Effect is defined as a beneficial effect produced by a powerless replacement antidote or treatment, to which improvement cannot be attributed to the properties of the placebo itself and must therefore be due to the patient’s belief in that treatment.
Belief is a powerful element.
When the desperate father cried out to Jesus for help on behalf of his demoniac son, Jesus straightly replied, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” Mark 9:23 (NKJV).
The outcome would not be determined by Jesus’ ability to heal, but rather by the father’s capacity to believe. Jesus asserted if the father could but believe, anything would be possible. Your belief has the potential to impact or even determine the reality you experience.
The outcome would not be determined by Jesus’ ability to heal, but rather by the father’s capacity to believe. Jesus asserted if the father could but believe, anything would be possible.
Justin Henry
If multitudes can find relief while believing in something that had no healing properties whatsoever, just imagine what could happen when you place your belief in the One “Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think” Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV).
In another instance, just prior to healing two blind men, Jesus asks,
“Do you believe I am able to do this?” they said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes saying, “According to your faith let it be to you” Matthew 9:28-29 (NKJV). Again, the outcome was not contingent upon Jesus’ ability but according to their faith.
What is faith? The Bible declares, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” Hebrews 11:1 (NIV).
It has been said, seeing is believing. That may be true from a secular perspective, but with faith, you can choose to believe, without being able to see it.
Ironically, it was the blind men’s decision to believe in Jesus while unable to see that made it possible for them to receive their sight.
Do you believe He can do what you’re asking of Him? It seems simple, yet profound. Unfortunately, some never make the journey from their head to their heart. Transferring the knowledge of God’s word from your head and possessing it as a truth in your heart. It is one thing to know Jesus said all things are possible if you can believe, but do you possess that precious truth in your heart? Do you believe it?
Do you believe He can do what you’re asking of Him? It seems simple, yet profound. Unfortunately, some never make the journey from their head to their heart. Transferring the knowledge of God’s word from your head and possessing it as a truth in your heart.
Justin Henry
The psalmist declared, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” Psalm 119:89 (NKJV), and His word should forever be settled in us.
Faith always has an object to which it looks. The value of your faith depends solely upon the object of your faith. If you constantly focus on your seemingly impossible circumstances, your situation may never change. However, the moment you look unto Jesus, the author, and finisher of your faith, and believe in Him, anything is possible.
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