It is not a new revelation to say we live in a negative world. The media is negative; work environments are negative; people around us are mostly negative. But as a Christian, we must never underestimate the power in saying something positive to those around us. The Bible declares that life and death are in the power of the words we speak. Our words can be words that bless those around us or they can be words that curse, to lift up or tear down. Many children have been set on a downward spiral due to words that people have said. Things spoken such as “you’re fat,” “you’re stupid,” “you’re worthless,” have become self-fulfilling prophecies.
If we are going to be a change agent for those around us, then we must possess what we are wanting to impart. How do we stay positive in this negative culture in which we live? First, let’s take a moment and think about how important this subject is.
We live in a world starving for some type of positive reinforcement. One of the gifts listed in Romans 12 is the gift of encouragement (Romans 12:6-8). Given that people are hurting all around us and in dire need of reassurance, of someone who cares, should not we, as children of God, try to help those around us by using this gift (1 Corinthians 12:31)?
Take, for example, Willie Mays. Almost everyone has heard of him. But did you know he almost quit before he had started. When he first started in the major league, he only had one hit in his first 26 at-bats, none in his first 12. Of course, he would go on to hit 660 home runs, steal more than 300 bases, and retire at the age of 42 with a lifetime batting average of .302.
Willie Mays is still considered to be one of the greatest players to ever play the game of baseball. But during that first couple of weeks, he almost quit playing the game. One day, after a game, he was sitting on the bench by himself, crying. He told his coach, Leo Durocher, “I can’t hit up here. I belong in the minor leagues.” It was then that Coach Durocher told Mays, “As long as I am the manager of the Giants, you’ll be my centerfielder.” Think about what almost wasn’t, had it not been for some encouraging words from an unlikely source. The manager could have said what a disappointment he was or how he single-handedly cost the team the game. Or the manager could not have gone by to check on him. Thankfully Coach Durocher cared and encouraged Mays. And now you know “the rest of the story.” Maybe today there is a future Hall of Famer who needs encouragement that only you can give.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are in fact doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
You cannot give something you do not possess. If you pour and fill up a sponge with Coke, don’t expect Sprite to come out when you press on it. It is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. So, if everything coming out of my mouth is negative, doubtful, and critical, then one must assume that is what is in the heart.
We know that our words matter but how do we stay positive in this negative world?
How to Live a Positive Life
- Start
by being grateful, by thanking God for 3 things every day. Phil.
4:6-7 tells us there is a correlation between being thankful and having peace.
- First, thank God for His love for you.
- Second, thank God for someone in your life (spouse, family member, friend, co-worker).
- Lastly, thank God for something He has done for you or someone in your life.
- Spend time in prayer and the Word. This is our soul food needed for a mind that is right (Romans 12:1-2)
- Do not dwell on the negative but on the positive. Your dwelling place will be your living place.
- Find someone to encourage every day, placing our focus on others.
- Limit
your negative environment
- Limit the amount of negative news you take in.
- Limit the amount of time spent with negative people.
- Find things to laugh about. According to a recent study, children laugh 200 times a day while the average adult only laughs 4. We take things way too seriously (especially ourselves).
- Choose to be positive (Joshua 24:15). Like most things in life, we make the choice.
I choose to be positive. What about you…
Mindful of His Ways 