Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out. (1 Corinthians 10:13) When you make an excuse, you are opening a door for negative thoughts. Excuses are just your way of trying to trick your mind. You are trying to pass on responsibility for something every time you make an excuse. Excuses can make becoming a positive thinker very difficult. If you are someone who is used to making excuses, then you will have a hard time becoming a positive thinker unless you stop making excuses. Excuses are something that can make your mind think it is doing positive things when it really is not. An excuse will just make you think you are okay and not being negative at all, but in reality using an excuse is just a negative thought in disguise. In order to be a positive thinker and put the power of positive thinking to work in your life, you have to get rid of the excuses. If you feel that you are about to make an excuse, then stop. Think about why you are making the excuse. What are you going to get from it? What benefit does this excuse have? Try to identify what is really going on and why you feel you need to make the excuse. Are you just trying to sneak in a negative thought and trying to explain to your positive side why it is okay? This is common, especially when a person is just beginning to use the power of positive thinking. Do not give up, though, if you start to find yourself making excuses. Just learn to be aware of this common tactic your brain has to try to keep the negative hanging around