Every time I watch the news or read a headline, I’m reminded that we live in a negative world. Jesus told his disciples in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Although we live in a negative world, we are not to be negative people. We are to be rejoicing people. We are to focus on positive thoughts and praise: things true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report.
Philippians 4:6-9: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Still sometimes Christians are negative and complaining. How can we stay positive in this negative world? We must respond to God’s love. God loves us in spite of the circumstances. God’s love is most clearly seen at the cross. God’s love is demonstrated through answered prayer.
Imagine never being "anxious about anything"! It seems like an impossibility — we all have worries on the job, in our homes, at school. But Paul is telling us to turn our worries into prayers. Do you want to worry less? Then pray more! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray.
God’s love is demonstrated through the peace He gives. God's peace is different from the world's peace. True peace is not found in simply thinking positively, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our citizenship in Christ's kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin. Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety.
How do we stay positive in a negative world? We must reprogram our thinking. We are constantly bombarded by negative messages. This is the downside of the age of instant communication. We are aware of the world’s problems continually. All violent acts reported to us immediately. There must be psychological and physical dangers of constant negative input.
This is why it so important to have faith-building inputs such as developing a devotional life, daily Bible reading and prayer, starting every day thankful, and expecting God to come through.
What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions. Paul tells us to reprogram our minds with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Do you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? Examine what you are putting into your mind through television, books, conversations, movies, and magazines. Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Ask God to help you focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice, but it can be done.
How do we stay positive in a negative world? We must recognize the best in others. All people are imperfect. There are no perfect people, no perfect churches, and no perfect pastors.
But people do have many positive things about them. Some are true, honest, and just. Some are well reported of by friends. Some do praiseworthy things. It's easy to see the worst in people, so we must find the good.
Paul wrote the following to the Philippians in Philippians 1:3: “I thank my God every time I remember you.” How could Paul say this? He chose to remember the positive things about them.
How do we stay positive in a negative world? We must reach out to lost and hurting people.
Let us look on the fields rather than the faults of others. Paul’s plea for the Philippians was to do as he was doing. Paul was always reaching out to the lost. He loved souls and longed for their salvation.
Winning people to Christ brings positive joy. Psalms 126:6: “He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”
We may sow with tears as we encourage people to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But what a joyful harvesting we will experience when people come to the Lord in faith.
Ultimately, it is our faith in Christ that enables us to be positive in this negative world. Remember that God loves you and if you have a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ, you are destined to spend eternity with Him. No matter how negative this world may get, God is still in control and His divine plan will be fulfilled (on this earth and in your life).
Although we live in a negative world, we are not to be negative people. We are to be rejoicing people. We are to focus on positive thoughts and praise: things true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report.
Philippians 4:6-9: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Still sometimes Christians are negative and complaining. How can we stay positive in this negative world? We must respond to God’s love. God loves us in spite of the circumstances. God’s love is most clearly seen at the cross. God’s love is demonstrated through answered prayer.
Imagine never being "anxious about anything"! It seems like an impossibility — we all have worries on the job, in our homes, at school. But Paul is telling us to turn our worries into prayers. Do you want to worry less? Then pray more! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray.
God’s love is demonstrated through the peace He gives. God's peace is different from the world's peace. True peace is not found in simply thinking positively, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our citizenship in Christ's kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin. Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety.
How do we stay positive in a negative world? We must reprogram our thinking. We are constantly bombarded by negative messages. This is the downside of the age of instant communication. We are aware of the world’s problems continually. All violent acts reported to us immediately. There must be psychological and physical dangers of constant negative input.
This is why it so important to have faith-building inputs such as developing a devotional life, daily Bible reading and prayer, starting every day thankful, and expecting God to come through.
What we put into our minds determines what comes out in our words and actions. Paul tells us to reprogram our minds with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Do you have problems with impure thoughts and daydreams? Examine what you are putting into your mind through television, books, conversations, movies, and magazines. Replace harmful input with wholesome material. Ask God to help you focus your mind on what is good and pure. It takes practice, but it can be done.
How do we stay positive in a negative world? We must recognize the best in others. All people are imperfect. There are no perfect people, no perfect churches, and no perfect pastors.
But people do have many positive things about them. Some are true, honest, and just. Some are well reported of by friends. Some do praiseworthy things. It's easy to see the worst in people, so we must find the good.
Paul wrote the following to the Philippians in Philippians 1:3: “I thank my God every time I remember you.” How could Paul say this? He chose to remember the positive things about them.
How do we stay positive in a negative world? We must reach out to lost and hurting people.
Let us look on the fields rather than the faults of others. Paul’s plea for the Philippians was to do as he was doing. Paul was always reaching out to the lost. He loved souls and longed for their salvation.
Winning people to Christ brings positive joy. Psalms 126:6: “He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”
We may sow with tears as we encourage people to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But what a joyful harvesting we will experience when people come to the Lord in faith.
Ultimately, it is our faith in Christ that enables us to be positive in this negative world. Remember that God loves you and if you have a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ, you are destined to spend eternity with Him. No matter how negative this world may get, God is still in control and His divine plan will be fulfilled (on this earth and in your life).
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