We all experience negative situations. We all find ourselves interacting with people who are themselves negative. Most unfortunately, we cause ourselves to live in a negative world. This is not what Christ intended for his children. Ours is to seek happiness and joy and peace but it does not come without effort. If we find ourselves living in a negative world, as Christians it is our own responsibility to address that problem.
Understands that what we say is what we hear, what we hear is what we process and what we process is what we think. Therefore, if we talk negatively, especially if we put ourselves down, that will be cycled right back into our brain. Then we create a never-ending problem. Some people think that they are controlled by this problem and can do nothing about it. Ezekiel 38:10 reminds us, “it shall also come to pass, that the same time shall things come into thy mind, and shall think evil thoughts.”
Our first step is to be empowered by the Holy Spirit so that we look to God in a more trusting manner. It is not biblical to say that we trust God and then dwell in the swamp of misery. Learning to trust God is to concentrate on how wonderful he is and how magnificent he has acted in our lives as well as the lives of those we have around us and those we read about in the Bible.
Since we cannot think to talk at the exact same time, therein is the beginning of the solution for ourselves. The mistake that a lot of people make is fighting negativity. What they are actually doing is concentrating on negativity. If two men are exchanging blows in a fight that will continue on unless one walks away from the fight. So must we walk away in our minds.
As soon as you realize that you are thinking something negatively, immediately switch that to a neutral or positive thought even if it’s just to notice how tall a tree is. You will find yourself switching your thoughts to a negative idea and then likely switch back. Again, do not fight negativity. Keep switching back to positive thoughts. Train yourself to be in control of your own brain and what thoughts you allow yourself to dwell on.
Some people who are in the very depths of despair might reply that there is nothing positive to think about. However, observed the cute baby in the grocery store and its smile. Stare at the depth of the blue sky. Some people become so accustomed to living in the dark side of the world they simply ignore everything else.
A person surrounded by negativity is very likely ungrateful for anything. Part of addressing our downside is to thank God for even the smallest things. Thank him for how good the soup tastes. Thank him that your stomach is not hungry. Thank him for anything and everything frequently.
We need to focus on the Scriptures. There are many promises in the Bible that we could routinely make as part of our thinking. It is God’s desire that we display the fruit of the Holy Spirit as well as the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Negativity prevents God’s blessing and use of us in our world. To know what God has in store that is waiting for us is a goal that we can achieve after we have slain the dragon of Negativity.
When you say a negative statement, put your but in. BUT is a very powerful word. It cancels or nullifies whatever has been said before it. For instance, “I did like staying at that motel but I’m not sure I will come back again because of the cost.” So, when you say something negative, follow it by the word but and turn it into a positive statement. For instance, “I did such a terrible job on that project, but I did my best and learned a lot when I did it.”
We must not allow ourselves to be influenced by other people’s negativity. We cannot control other people’s emotions or attitude. We can only contribute to the possibility of them changing. The thought process of some people is so negative that they believe they are living for God. For instance, John 16:2 says, “They shall put you out of the synagogue: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever kills you will think that he doeth God’s service.” While we try to get out of our own negativity, it is important that we recognize that other people have their own and cannot be part of our thinking process.
Some people try to avoid a negative mindset by presenting themselves to other people as having something better and higher than they. Paul spoke in 1 Corinthians 14 about a person who thought himself a prophet or spiritual but that if he really was so, he should acknowledge the Ministry of Paul. Some people’s ego is so desperately bruised they will climb over other people’s esteem. We must attend to our own business seeking a positive relationship with Christ and with the world. This principle was echoed in Galatians 6:3 that said, “for if a man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
Paul summarizes this blog in Philippians 4:8 by saying, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Christian Writer 