I am thankful to say that sometime there are some positive, pleasant, encouraging human interest stories on the network and cable news broadcast – but only a few! In general, cynical worldviews and reports of offensive vulgar activities totally dominate our society. Many families, friends, and acquaintances would not know what to talk about if negative gossip, scandal, or chitchat were not the main topic of conversation. We discover ourselves easily pulled into focusing on the gloomy, distrustful, and hopeless ways of life that dominate our society, as we are bombarded with negativism on every side. No wonder we have such a hard time staying positive!
Yet God has given us guidelines that will help keep us from getting pulled habitually into pessimism and turn us towards having a positive, optimistic outlook. The Word tells us to contemplate, ponder, consider, and meditate on whatever is positive and good. So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. Also fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Because we are creatures of pattern- it takes God’s amazing grace, and a deep desire to want positive change in our hearts and minds. Most of us do not discern just how habitually negative we have become! If we really understood the spiritual law that with our thoughts and words we create, we would guard them more closely. It is God’s will to transform our thoughts, words, and lives! It takes time and perseverance, but with the Holy Spirit as our helper, and God’s miracle working grace involved in the process, we have the God given ability to evolve from negativity towards his positive Light. The spirit of our mind will be transformed into a positive spiritual reality, as we keep our eyes on Jesus- His love has the power to change our focus and loose us from negativity, as we step forward in the power of Truth and Light!
“For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]” (Philippians 4:8).
