How to Stay Positive
Winston Churchill said, “The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” God’s word says, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7). Therefore, the pessimist thinks and sees only difficulties, and the optimist thinks and sees only opportunities. Which one are you? Many people’s philosophy in life is: “If I don't expect anything good to happen, then I won't be disappointed when it doesn't.”
If your thoughts are all negative so too will your confession be; and consequently your whole life. Perhaps you're like that. You're avoiding hope to protect yourself against being hurt. This type of behaviour sets up a negative lifestyle. Everything becomes negative because your thoughts are negative. God’s word does not promote negativism. The longer you serve God, and study his word, the more you will realise the tremendous power in being positive - in thought and word. Your actions are a direct result of your thoughts. A negative mind will result in a negative life, and a negative life is an unhappy life. But if you renew your mind according to God's Word, you will, as Romans 12:2 promises, prove (in your experiences) “the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” It is a vital necessity that we line up our thoughts with God's thoughts. But this is a process that will take time and effort.
Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his plan and purpose for them.” Note, the apostle Paul does not say that all things are good, but he does say that all things work together for good. Let's say you get in your car, and it won't start. There are two ways you can react to the situation. You can say, “I knew it! This was bound to happen. Nothing ever goes right for me.” Or you can say, “Well, it looks as though I can't leave right now. I'll go later when the car is fixed. In the meantime, I believe this change in my plans is going to work out for my good. There is probably some reason I need to be at home today, so I'm going to enjoy my time here.” This reaction clearly shows a trust in God.
The apostle Paul also tells you (in Romans 12:16) to “readily adjust yourself to [people, things].” The idea is that you must learn to become the kind of person who plans things but who doesn't fall apart if that plan doesn't work out. The choice is entirely yours! Any time you don't get what you are expecting, your emotions may rise up and try to get you into self-pity and a negative attitude. However, by choice, you can adjust to the situation and go ahead and enjoy what God has for you – no matter what happens. Remember, the pathway to freedom from negativity begins when you face the problem without making excuses for it. It’s you life, it’s your choice!
The most important mental attitude any person can have is a positive attitude to life. It will help you navigate every storm and see you through every dark valley. In fact, recent research has shown that a positive attitude is associated with healthier ageing. If you have a positive attitude, you see relatively few of life’s challenges as overwhelming. Consequently, you can strongly influence (if not completely determine) your health and future well-being.
Dr Howard LeWine of Harvard University believes that a positive attitude is the number one contributing factor to healthy ageing, even over exercise and a healthy diet. Another study shows that optimistic people live on average 7.5 years longer than those who have a negative outlook on life. Therefore, if you choose the adopt a positive attitude, you will not only enjoy your life more but you will live longer and be much healthier. Not a bad incentive – is it?
So how can we develop a positive attitude to life? Here are seven recommendations:
(1) Set your mind in a positive direction every day. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” We will rejoice... Your will is involved in the outcome of every day. Therefore, you can ‘will’ to set your mind in a positive direction by quoting this scripture from your heart until it becomes personal to you. This way you can choose to rejoice and be glad in whatever each day brings - and enjoy life to the full.
(2) Control your thought life. Proverbs 23:7, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is.” You become whatever you are constantly thinking about! Therefore, you had better be sure that what you are thinking about is what you want to become. What goes on in your mind directly effects what goes on in your life. If you had a video screen on your forehead that broadcasts all your thoughts, would you be proud or totally embarrassed. The only way to protect your mind from negative or carnal thoughts is to draw near to God. When you are walking closely with God, you can focus your thoughts on His word and direct your actions toward it. The same is true of your overall day-to-day activities. If you think positive thoughts, you will pursue and unlimitedly enjoy happy, self-confident, and fulfilled experiences. And these positive experiences will build a positive outlook on life!
(3) Learn not to be dependant on any circumstances. Martha Washington, the wife of America’s first president, made an astounding observation, she said: “The greatest part of our happiness depends on our disposition, not our circumstances.” Too many Christians allow circumstances to determine their attitudes. Enjoying life only when you don’t have any problems is wasting a very large chunk of your life. The truth is, when everything is rosy and you are facing no challenges, it’s for a season only. And the same applies to negative circumstances. Therefore, you must learn not to be dependant on any situation – whether good or bad. Life is full of surprises; sometimes they are wonderful and sometimes they are very unpleasant. So whatever unexpected events come your way, you need to meet them with a positive mind-set. Remember this, being able to decide how you will behave apart from how you feel is one of the greatest privileges God has given you.
(4) Commit to being grateful. In other words, be glad right now! Instead of saying, “I’ll be glad when...”, begin saying, “I am glad now. I’m happy and positive today. My life may not be exactly what I want it to be, but I choose to be glad right now.” By being thankful and truly grateful throughout the day you will have the strength not only to endure but also to overcome. Anyone can go through a difficult situation with a bad attitude; but it takes a positive person (with character) to come through it and enjoy the victory. Here are some scriptures that will encourage you in this area:
- “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
- “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
- “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
These inspiring verses (and others) remind us to meet every situation with strength and the joy that accompanies certain success. God is on your side and that’s all the reason you need to keep a positive attitude every day. And surely you can be glad about that?
(5) Be content in every situation. The apostle Paul went through some tough times and here is what he wrote: “Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. I know how to be abased and live humbly in difficult circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or being hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want” (Philippians 4:11,12 - Amplified).
Paul learnt the secret of contentment. And if he learnt it, so can you! Contentment is simply accepting that everything is “subject to change” – and change for the better. This is a positive response to every negative circumstance in life. So, if what you are going through is good or bad, wonderful or heart-breaking you still need to be content. And when you reach this summit, your life will always look like the weather is about to change and the sun is about to come out. It is a sure way to de-stress your life!
(6) Nail your issues to the cross (and leave them there). Jesus when to the cross in order that we might have life and have life in super-abundance. However, if you are constantly walking around with issues and burdens you will never be able to enjoy life to the full. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast our cares on Jesus because He cares for us. The Amplified says, “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”
(7) Watch what you say. Your words affect your joy. Your words are powerful, they not only reveal the condition of your heart, they also influence your ability to enjoy life. Just as a positive mental attitude helps you enjoy your life, the words you speak significantly effect the levels of joy you experience. Matthew 12:34 explains this principle, “Out of the fullness (the overflow) of the heart the mouth speaks.”
When you are filled with optimism and joy your words will reflect this positive attitude. If you listen to what you say you will be able to stay in touch with what’s going on in your heart. And as a result, know exactly what you are creating by what you confess. This is very powerful! Proverbs 18:20,21 explains it clearly, “A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil]. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].
If you constantly speak negatively, I can assure you that you will have negative experiences. This is a fact! On the other hand, if you learn to speak positively, you will see good and positive things happen in your life. It’s up to you! The more attention you give your problems with your words the more powerful they become and the more difficult to deal with. But if you talk confidently about your ability to deal with the problem (in God), you will find yourself discovering solutions and feeling strong and optimistic. So avoid poisoning your own happiness by the thoughts you think and the words you speak.
Not only do we bring happiness to ourselves with the words we speak (Proverbs 15:23), but we can use our words for positive effect in other people’s lives. A right word in season can change the perspective someone else has and thus effect any decision that’s made or course that’s taken. Because we reap what we sow, the more happiness we give to others through the words we speak, the more happiness we will experience personally. And I don’t know about you, but I would like to be assured of future happiness! |
