Norman Vincent Peale - A Case of Inferiority Compl

Leave it to the champion of the Power of Positive Thinking to nip a thing like defeat in the bud. One of the most influential ministers in the 20th century, Norman Vincent Peale authored more than 40 books during his lifetime, including The Art of Living (1937), Confident Living (1948) and The Power of Positive Thinking (1952), the latter having sold more than 20 million copies.

Not bad for a man who was once going to be a newspaper reporter, working for the Morning Republic in Findlay, Ohio. He admits that he had the worst inferiority complex of all in his youth and developed his power of positive thinking philosophy to help his own plight. Obviously it worked, and over time became the foundation of his life’s work.

His belief in the power of positive thinking led to the founding of a new clinic with Dr. Smiley Blanton. He pioneered the concept of Christian Psychology and the American Foundation for Religion and Psychiatry eventually had 20 doctors and psychologically trained ministers on its staff. Peale continued to serve as president of its board until he died.

Positive thinking, such as the Norman Vincent Peale quote, “Believe you are defeated, believe it long enough, and it will likely become a fact,” formed the foundation of this new genre of psychology, which applied Christianity to everything.