Negativity comes from somewhere and will have a root. I know negativity in my life stems from letting myself get worried, fearful, and expectant of bad things happening. Instead of challenging negative thoughts and situations, I can accept them.
In contrast, being positive is about having a positive mindset and belief system. It's not about being happy all the time but how we choose to "see" and process the things that go on in our life and the world around us.
Research has discovered choosing to be more positive has some definite benefits such as increased life span, lower rates of depression, lower levels of distress, greater resistance to the common cold, better psychological and physical well-being, reduced risk of death through cardiovascular disease, and better-coping skills during hardships and times of stress
Having a positive mindset doesn't mean that we keep our heads in the sand and ignore life's less pleasant situations, but if we live the life God desires, it does mean learning to manage how we think and believe.
One of the great things I have learnt is that when we know Jesus and have invited Him to lead our life, He says we receive from Him and his way of thinking – "we have the mind of Christ". That means we have access to God's thoughts, wisdom and understanding. We have all the positivity we need because love is positive, and God is love.
God wants us to enjoy life and be who we are called to be. It's important to focus on the beauty around us, for He is there in the midst of that".
I've discovered that as long as we stay connected and abiding in Jesus, His positivity and joy will flow into every area of our hearts and minds, renewing us day by day.
Our self-talk – the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through our minds starts to change as we listen to what God says about us in His word – that's why it's good to read it every day! Without His positivity feeding our thoughts, we can entertain self-talk full of misconceptions we create through lack of information, our fears, what we watch and listen to and our past.
We may want to step out and do something new or face a challenge, but suddenly we start thinking negatively, and, as a result, we are defeated before we've even begun. However, that moment is an opportunity to ask God to help us change from a negative mindset to a positive one. Changing our phrasing and thinking to what God says is one strategy to overcome and win in life.
Today instead of talking and allowing unchecked thoughts of negativity and fear to dominate, focus on the beauty around you every day and that which makes you feel happy.
Seek Jesus and His way of thinking, and as you read the bible, take God's Word and make it the basis of your positive self-talk – "God's" talk about your day.
For, who has known the mind of the Lord to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16)
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths". (Proverbs 3:5-6)
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God". (Romans 12:2 NKJV)
Prayer: Lord, I choose to talk how you talk today and to fill my mind with positivity and life-giving thoughts. Thank you for loving me so much and having good things in store for me. In Jesus Name. Amen.