As thy days, so shall thy strength be which, in modern language

Emmet Fox, a man of spirit and vision, gave us this profound truth: “As thy days, so shall thy strength be which, in modern language, may be translated as thy thoughts so shall thy life be.” Though simple in form, these words carry the weight of eternity. They reveal a law written not on stone tablets, but upon the fabric of the soul: that our thoughts shape our reality, and our inner life becomes the architect of our outer destiny. The strength we carry through the days is not a gift handed down by fate, but the harvest of the seeds we plant in the mind.

The origin of this wisdom reaches back to the ancient scriptures. The phrase “As thy days, so shall thy strength be” is drawn from the Book of Deuteronomy, a blessing spoken to the tribe of Asher. It was a promise that as the years bring their burdens, God shall provide the power to endure. Emmet Fox, interpreting it for the modern age, shifted the focus: he declared that strength is not merely given, but generated — born from the thoughts we choose and the spirit we cultivate. In this way, divine promise and human responsibility meet.

Consider the story of Nelson Mandela, who spent twenty-seven years imprisoned, confined within walls of stone and iron. By all outward measure, his life should have been broken. Yet his thoughts remained free, his mind disciplined by hope, forgiveness, and vision. When the day of liberation came, his life was not one of bitterness, but of leadership and reconciliation. Truly, his thoughts became his life, and his strength matched the long and arduous days set before him. Had his thoughts been consumed with despair, his destiny would have been ruin. Instead, they were filled with purpose, and his life became a beacon to nations.

This teaching is not lofty idealism but practical law. Every day, the mind dwells upon images, fears, or hopes. If it clings to shadows, the life becomes dim; if it holds to light, the life becomes radiant. The farmer who sows weeds will not reap wheat. Likewise, he who sows angry, envious, or despairing thoughts cannot reap peace or prosperity. The life is but the reflection of the mind’s mirror. Fox reminds us that each day’s strength will equal the thoughts we choose to entertain.

The ancients often compared the mind to a garden. The Stoic Epictetus taught that man cannot control events, but he can control the thoughts he cultivates. In times of hardship, he urged the disciplining of the mind, for therein lies true freedom. This is the same truth Fox echoes: our strength lies not in what happens to us, but in how we think about it. The outer world bends, slowly but surely, to the inner vision we carry.

The lesson is thus: guard your thoughts as you would guard a treasure chest. For within them lies your strength, your peace, your destiny. When trials arise, let your thoughts be filled not with fear but with faith. When envy whispers, replace it with gratitude. When despair beckons, plant the seeds of hope. As you train your inner world, you forge the strength that will sustain you in every passing day.

Therefore, children of the future, engrave this law upon your hearts: As thy thoughts, so shall thy life be. Do not leave your mind untended, lest weeds choke its power. Choose thoughts of courage, and your days will be mighty. Choose thoughts of love, and your life will be abundant. Choose thoughts of purpose, and even in hardship, your strength will match the burden. In this way, each day, however heavy, shall be met with equal strength, and your life shall shine as a testament to the truth Emmet Fox declared.