Sunday Drive - No More Negative Nellie

No More Negative Nellie

Why does it seem so easy to focus on the negative than the positive? How about you? Do negative memories or conversations seem to stick out more than others? Then there's the Negative Nellies of the world. You know who I'm talking about...

The ones that always find something to complain about... or find something wrong. They usually don't have a solution either. Sigh....

As challenging it is to deal with Miss Nellie, Lord, help me not to be her! I'd much rather be a Positive Penny!

Matthew 15:11 (NLT)
11 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.

It's important to consider what comes out of our mouths. How we say things, the tone we use, etc. In fact, as Christians, we are created in the image of God, we represent Him. Are we representing Him well?

Genesis 1:27 (NLT)
27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

I want to represent Christ as best I can. However, I know for a fact, that I've failed in that department many, many, many times. But that doesn't mean I should give up. That just means I'm still a work in progress, like the rest of you. We need to keep striving to be more like Christ.

Throughout the process of striving to be more like Christ, we need to be mindful of the direction of our thinking. Negative thoughts are going to pop into our minds. What are we going to do with them?

We have basically have one of two choices. One, dwell on them and let them grow, creating vain imaginations or make a change. Just a second... do you know what a vain imagination is? Let me share what Google says...

"A vain imagination refers to empty, unrealistic, or harmful thoughts, fantasies and mental, self-centered scenarios that lack truth and productivity."

Hmmm... vain imaginations sound like a big waste of time and energy... 

Let's opt for the second choice...make a change! Ask God to help you think different, to find one good thing to think about. We can also change what we're doing or change our surroundings. Turn on worship music, sing a song, call a friend. We don't have to stay stuck. We can choose to think differently.

Philippians 4:8 (NLT)
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

This verse instructs us to think about things that are excellent and praiseworthy. It is possible. We can retrain our mind. We can turn into a Positive Penny!

Acts 2:28 (NLT)
28 You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.

When we begin to spend more time focusing on the positive, we become more thankful and grateful. We actually have more joy! We begin to look for the good God is doing in our lives and others.

Psalms 19:14 (NLT)
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Yes, Lord! No more Negative Nellie... be a Positive Penny!

Blessings,
Lori