Some days I bounce out of bed. Other days I drag.
Some days my prayers soar to the heavens. Other days I struggle to ask in faith.
Some days I speak encouraging words that build others up and inspire their faith. Other days I speak fearful, worrisome words that direct their eyes to circumstances and trouble their faith.
Some days I focus on every good and perfect gift God has given me. Other days I catalog everything I don’t like about my life and my circumstances.
I suspect I’m not alone. You struggle too. Staying positive when we feel negative is easier some days than others, and it’s almost always a battle.
But it’s a battle we must fight.
Negativity comes when we take our eyes off God and focus instead on our circumstances or feelings. Like a kitchen fire, it starts small but can quickly burn a house down. To tolerate or ignore it is to invite our own destruction.
So how do we quench the fires of negativity?
Three Simple Steps
1. STOP
As soon as your brain starts walking down the path of negativity, put the brakes on. Reign in those thoughts and don’t allow them to run away with your happiness.
Negativity is sneaky. Like a looter during a power outage, it gathers everything that makes you happy and spirits it away. Then it heaps up everything bad it can find and presents the pile to you with a flourish and an evil grin.
As soon as we recognize this sneaky joy thief, we must take action. Sometimes this is as simple as saying aloud, “NO, I’m not going to think negatively, fret, or grumble.”
2. DROP.
Drop the woe and replace it with wow. It’s not easy just to stop thinking negatively. We have to fill the void with something else. Philippians 4:8 tells us what that “something else” is: “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.”
Choosing to replace our negative, pessimistic, gloom and doom thoughts with positive, hope-filled, upward-looking thoughts is an act of self-discipline. If we practice, it will become easier and eventually become our default setting.
3. ROLL
Roll your cares off your frail, weak shoulders and onto God’s big, strong ones. As the old hymn says, “Have a little talk with Jesus.” It sounds simplistic, but praying about what we’re struggling with is amazingly powerful in at least three ways.
First, it moves us from powerlessly spinning our wheels to tapping into the greatest force for change available. Second, it forces us to acknowledge our helplessness and our need of God’s help. Finally, it opens the door for peace to enter our hearts.
Philippians 4:6-7 commands us, “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.”
The next time negativity threatens your happiness, I encourage you to stop, drop, and roll. By tapping into the strength of self-discipline, the truth of God’s word, and the power of prayer, you can quench the fire of negativity and embrace the peace and joy God intends for you.
What about you? Do you struggle with negativity? How do you fight it? I’d love it if you’d share your thoughts in the comment box.
Word for Your Day — 66 Devotions to Refresh Your Mind
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From beginning in Genesis to new in Revelation, ponder each significant word as you move through your day and allow God to transform your heart and mind.
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Thank you Lori. Your words on staying positive couldn’t have come at a better time for me.
Don’t you just love how God, or precious Father, knows just what we need, just when we need it? Praying for you, my friend!
One habit I learned from an instructor at Bible college is to respond “I’m blessed and highly favored!” when someone asks how I am. In the moment I might be feeling tired or frustrated, but Truth trumps feelings. Yes, people laugh at me. But the conversation (if there is one) goes a much better direction than if I listed my woes, and I feel better!
I love this, Jeanne. it’s an immediate reset and reminder of who we truly are. Thanks for sharing today!
The longer my caregiving journey stretches behind and before me the more weary I become. I’ve been consumed with negativity for the past month. I’m aware of the steps I must take, but the struggle is daunting. I’ll remember to stop, drop, and roll. Thank you Lori.
Lisa, God has called you to a difficult and noble task. You cannot do it in your own strength, but you can in His. I’m praying today and every day, as you stop, drop, and roll, that your heart will be overwhelmed with HIS joy.
Oh wow! Great blog today Miss Lori. I am going to start practicing this today. I am so guilty of letting negativity get ahold of me and run away. Great words. I will stop, drop, and roll from now on. ❤️🙏🏻
It’s so easy to slide into the pit of negativity, Valerie!! May God help us both stop, drop, and roll today and every day. Praying for us both, my friend!