Dealing With Negativity
It feels like in today’s culture that most of us are marinating our minds in negativity. At times it feels like a country filled with Eeyores from the Winnie the Pooh stories. Our thoughts are powerful and they end up helping to create the person we become. The Scripture teaches us that “A cheerful heart is good medicine. . . “(Proverbs 17:22). Overcoming negativity is crucial to our spiritual, mental and even physical well-being. How do we overcome negativity?
First, acknowledge the power of negativity. “Neuroscience has discovered that negative events imprint on our brains more quickly and last longer than positive events.” (Heal Your Hurting Mind, Craig Groeschell, Dr. Wayne Chapelle, 104) I am sure you have experienced this. As a speaker, I certainly have. If ten people tell me a specific sermon was helpful or inspiring and yet one person says it was terrible, guess where I tend to focus? Yes, the negative comment tends to dominate. This power to dominate the positive should be remembered as we try to keep the ratio of our thoughts and words mostly positive. In part, because of the power of negativity we are warned “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).
Second, identify your negativity. There are different kinds of negative thinking. Two popular ones are polarized thinking and victim mentality. I often see polarized thinking centered around political views. One disturbing trend that I am seeing more of is adult children rejecting their parents over politics. Periodically, I see some proclamation on social media by a twenty something saying something like “if you voted for Trump we are done, I do not want you in my life.” It isn’t just about the President sometimes, it’s the abortion issue, immigration or some other hot button topic. I find this shocking that a person would completely reject others over who they voted for, or some other narrow issue. Another type of negativity is seeing yourself as the victim. This is the person who has been fired by four or five “horrible bosses” in a row. Let’s be honest, I suspect if you have been fired by four or five bosses, you are the problem not them. If you will identify your particular kind of negativity, it gives you a better chance of overcoming it.
Third, limit media intake. Whether social media or traditional sources such as CNN and Fox news all are very negative. There is an old expression in the news business “if it bleeds, it leads.” To start your day watching news is foolish. You will be inviting a wave of negativity to wash over your brain first thing in the morning. In contrast, the apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:8 “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” Notice Paul’s intentionality.
Fourth, memorize Scripture. Take God’s truth and fill your mind with that. We are told in the Bible that God’s truth does not return void. God will use his word to challenge and uplift us. It is wise to trade the painful negativity of our culture for the beautiful, encouraging promises of God.
Fifth, pray for help with this issue. The Lord can and will empower us to live out his will for our lives. Paul writes that “He has begun a good work in us and will complete it” (Philippians 1:6). One of my favorite prayers comes from a little daughter of some missionary friends. The daughter prayed before a meal that she was not excited about. “God thank you for . . . er bless this food. And please take our old tongues and give us new tongues, that love EVERYTHING Mama cooks. And help us know what poison is, and what is not poison.”
Sixth, seek out friends who are positive to be around. Paul writes “bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Make sure your closest friends are people who will help you to remember that no matter what the painful circumstances are in your life that God loves you. Jesus died for your sins. Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us and will return someday to take us home. Encouragement is contagious. I once watched a Winnie the Pooh cartoon where Rabbit had a meeting and tried to take the bounce out of Tigger. Let me encourage you to be a Tigger not an Eeyore. Don’t let life crush the “bounce,” the joy out of you. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, lets make
sure that fruit is always in season.
Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church
First, acknowledge the power of negativity. “Neuroscience has discovered that negative events imprint on our brains more quickly and last longer than positive events.” (Heal Your Hurting Mind, Craig Groeschell, Dr. Wayne Chapelle, 104) I am sure you have experienced this. As a speaker, I certainly have. If ten people tell me a specific sermon was helpful or inspiring and yet one person says it was terrible, guess where I tend to focus? Yes, the negative comment tends to dominate. This power to dominate the positive should be remembered as we try to keep the ratio of our thoughts and words mostly positive. In part, because of the power of negativity we are warned “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).
Second, identify your negativity. There are different kinds of negative thinking. Two popular ones are polarized thinking and victim mentality. I often see polarized thinking centered around political views. One disturbing trend that I am seeing more of is adult children rejecting their parents over politics. Periodically, I see some proclamation on social media by a twenty something saying something like “if you voted for Trump we are done, I do not want you in my life.” It isn’t just about the President sometimes, it’s the abortion issue, immigration or some other hot button topic. I find this shocking that a person would completely reject others over who they voted for, or some other narrow issue. Another type of negativity is seeing yourself as the victim. This is the person who has been fired by four or five “horrible bosses” in a row. Let’s be honest, I suspect if you have been fired by four or five bosses, you are the problem not them. If you will identify your particular kind of negativity, it gives you a better chance of overcoming it.
Third, limit media intake. Whether social media or traditional sources such as CNN and Fox news all are very negative. There is an old expression in the news business “if it bleeds, it leads.” To start your day watching news is foolish. You will be inviting a wave of negativity to wash over your brain first thing in the morning. In contrast, the apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:8 “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” Notice Paul’s intentionality.
Fourth, memorize Scripture. Take God’s truth and fill your mind with that. We are told in the Bible that God’s truth does not return void. God will use his word to challenge and uplift us. It is wise to trade the painful negativity of our culture for the beautiful, encouraging promises of God.
Fifth, pray for help with this issue. The Lord can and will empower us to live out his will for our lives. Paul writes that “He has begun a good work in us and will complete it” (Philippians 1:6). One of my favorite prayers comes from a little daughter of some missionary friends. The daughter prayed before a meal that she was not excited about. “God thank you for . . . er bless this food. And please take our old tongues and give us new tongues, that love EVERYTHING Mama cooks. And help us know what poison is, and what is not poison.”
Sixth, seek out friends who are positive to be around. Paul writes “bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Make sure your closest friends are people who will help you to remember that no matter what the painful circumstances are in your life that God loves you. Jesus died for your sins. Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us and will return someday to take us home. Encouragement is contagious. I once watched a Winnie the Pooh cartoon where Rabbit had a meeting and tried to take the bounce out of Tigger. Let me encourage you to be a Tigger not an Eeyore. Don’t let life crush the “bounce,” the joy out of you. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, lets make
sure that fruit is always in season.
Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church
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