In January, I introduced the topic of why we should be grateful. I also challenged you to make a list of three to five things for which you are thankful every day.
How did your first month go, then? I would enjoy hearing from you.
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Overcoming Negativity
Gratitude seems to come naturally to some people. It’s possible that you already possess an attitude of gratitude that inspires you to seek out and treasure life’s positive aspects. However, some personality characteristics and mental health issues might function as obstacles to the ability to recognize and show thankfulness.
I’ve noticed lately that everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve encountered several people who have a tendency to always look at the negative and never seem to be satisfied with what they have. This got me wondering, “Why?”
Whether we choose to admit it or not, everyone has experienced negative thoughts on occasion that do not honor or glorify God.
Negative thoughts are the work of the enemy and are unwelcome and unwarranted. They are lies that must be combated with truth from the Word of God, which is sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), to overcome enemy attacks.
The devil knows that his best tactic is to get into our thoughts and minds, just like he did with Eve in the Garden, and later attempted with Jesus after being in the desert for forty days. This is partly why God had His Word written so that we may be able to equip ourselves to fight against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11).
Thoughts are a powerful force in the world, yet the enemy can still have a significant impact on them. For this reason, every thought that enters our minds needs to be captured and brought under the control of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5). It is incorrect if it is not consistent with the Word.
How do we overcome negative thoughts?
Thoughts can be confusing, and sometimes it’s not easy to identify if they are negative or distorted. The way we take these thoughts captive is to ask the following questions:
- Is it true? Is it sincere?
- Is it honest? Is it able to be trusted and free from deception?
- Is it just? Does it conform with what is upright and good?
- Is it pure? Is it free from harshness or roughness?
- Is it lovely? Does the thought make you feel pleasant and uplifted?
- Does it have a good report? Does it search for the good rather than the bad?
- Does it glorify God?
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8
How do we help others with negative attitudes?
Try to focus on humility and your perspective. View others as a creation of God with sinful habits that deserve respect and love. Forgive their negativity. Do not allow bitterness to become a problem in your relationships. Avoid violating their dignity. Determine if you have a “beam in your own eye” through prayer and counsel. Addressing negative attitudes and assumptions can make dealing with others easier.
It’s crucial to pray for others. Additionally, ask God to give you insight and show you how each circumstance needs to be handled. Getting godly advice about what to do from a pastor or other godly Christian who will also pray is always a good idea. Just watch out that “getting counsel” doesn’t become an opportunity for gossip and complaining. After you have a well-defined course of action, proceed with discretion. James 3:13 states that wisdom includes meekness.
Some techniques for overcoming negative thinking:
Once you have identified the negative thoughts by answering the above questions, you will be able to combat them with the following techniques:
- Read your Bible daily
Daily Bible reading is crucial for overcoming negativity in the mind, as it provides spiritual weapons and helps discern if your thoughts are from God. The Holy Spirit will provide the right verses to fight the negative thoughts.
- Journal your thoughts
“Thus speaketh the Lord God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.” Jeremiah 30:2
Jeremiah was instructed by God to write the words which He spoke. When our thoughts are just in our heads, it’s hard to discern if the thoughts are of God or not. Writing down your thoughts helps to free your mind and helps you to get a better perspective. Once you write them down, it can help you get rid of the negative thoughts.
- Talk back to the negative thoughts
The Sword of the Spirit is an important weapon in our spiritual warfare. The Word of God is alive, quick, and powerful. It is critical to stand upon the truth of God’s Word. For example,
- If your negative thought says you’re ugly, you can reply with “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)
- If your negative thought says you’re not capable, you reply with “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)
- If your negative thought says you are not loved, you reply with “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
- If your negative thought says you’re alone, you reply with Jesus says “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5) and “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9).
Nothing that your negative thoughts can say can stand against the power of God’s Word. Replace the lies of the devil with the truth of God’s Word, and act accordingly each time it reappears. Jesus taught this by example when He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).
- Wear/carry something that helps remind you to focus on the positive
Identify and counter negative thoughts by displaying Scripture in your home, and wearing a positive wristband or pin. Use your phone to display a positive wallpaper or case. These will help to trigger positive thoughts.
We, as humans, are prone to forget just like the Israelites that wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Can you imagine how frustrated Moses got from time to time? This is why God had men place monuments for the intentional deliberate pattern of reminding them of their story.
- Shift your focus
If you find yourself concentrating on a negative thought, shift your focus to something else. Sometimes you will have to dig deep into God’s Word to find a counter thought.
Pray, work out, go for a stroll, or contemplate the exact opposite. Simply find something else to do to divert your attention from the idea. Anxiety and despair are brought on by overthinking something, and God does not want His child to experience these things.
- Communicate
It’s crucial to share your thoughts with someone. Communication is essential with everyone, be it your best friend, counselor, or your spouse.
You can gain a new perspective on your ideas and an alternative opinion by speaking with someone else. This will make a big difference in how well you fight off your negative ideas.
- Focus on Gratitude
The Bible encourages us to cultivate thankfulness and gratitude.
O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:1
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17
The devil has a crafty way of making us think we don’t have enough or not appreciate what we do have. That’s what caused Eve to be tricked into thinking that things could be better than they were which is why she ate the fruit. She had everything that she needed to live contented. God never withheld any good thing from her and He will not deny good from you either.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31
Practicing gratitude significantly improves relationships and well-being. It helps us appreciate the little things in life, such as the light turning green on your way to an appointment, someone showing up on time, or when someone shows you a random act of kindness. Over time, practicing to seek blessings in life strengthens our ability to identify positive aspects, making it easier to appreciate life’s blessings.
Strengthening your ability to practice gratitude isn’t hard. It just takes practice. Take time each day to look for things for which to be thankful. This will help alleviate stress and over time will improve your health. Proverbs 17:22 tells us that “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
I don’t know about you, but I would much rather be happy and healthy than discouraged, depressed, and sickly.
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I hope that as you write down God’s promises this month, you will sense His presence all around you—within you, beside you, all around. I pray that you will always be aware of His presence.
You can download a copy of this month’s plan here:
https://charitymaeprosper.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/JS-February.2024.pdf
References:
* King James Bible. (2007) King James Bible Online. www.kingjamesbibleonline.org
* Henry, Matthew, 1662-1714. (1991). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible : wherein each chapter is summed up in its contents: the sacred text inserted at large in distinct paragraphs; each paragraph reduced to its proper heads: the sense given, and largely illustrated with practical remarks and observations. Peabody, Mass. :Hendrickson Publishers,
* Got Questions. Dealing with Negative People. https://www.gotquestions.org/dealing-negative-people.html
* Calahan, John. NeverThirsty Like the Master Ministries. (August 28, 2015). 1 Peter Q&A, Christian Conduct, Family & Friend Issues. https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-qa/qa-archives/question/how-should-we-deal-with-a-negative-person/
* Newman, Kira M. (September 30, 2019). An introduction to mindful gratitude. Mindful.org. https://www.mindful.org/an-introduction-to-mindful-gratitude/
