Jessica Guinn Philippians 4:8-9, “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. Those things which year have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
Our world is consumed with a cancer known as negativity. Negativity is derived from its root word negative which can be defined as “harmful or bad; thinking about the bad qualities of someone or something; thinking that a bad result will happen; not hopeful or optimistic; expressing dislike or disapproval.”
Does this sound familiar to anyone? If not, take a moment to turn on the news channel of your choice, visit a doctor’s office, or phone a friend and ask them how their day is going. Negativity is all around us, and it spreads like the common cold.
I get it—life is hard. As a matter of fact, the Bible told us that it would be. We are told that we will face persecution, judgments, and suffering on more than one occasion. Nevertheless, the pages of God’s Word continually tell us to stand fast, withstand, stand strong in the Lord, and persevere.
Lately God has been stressing to me the importance of renewing and transforming my mind through the Word. The more we focus on the gloom and doom of the world around us, the easier it is to lose the joy of our salvation. Nehemiah 8:10b says, “…for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” The word strength in this passage means, “Defense.” The joy that comes from Jesus Christ is our defense against negativity, worry, and pessimism.
The Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians that no matter what we are going through, we can combat our stinking thinking! He lists several things for us to think on in chapter 4 verse 8, “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.” To paraphrase, Paul is saying here, “Don’t listen to and believe the lies of the enemy. Instead look for truth, look for righteousness, and look for my hand in all situations. Think on these things. Speak on these things. Share these things.”
Let me be clear—this is not a positive, prosperity Gospel; however, when we change our thinking to be more like Him, eventually our speech will be more like Him. “…and the God of peace shall be with you.”
Our world is consumed with a cancer known as negativity. Negativity is derived from its root word negative which can be defined as “harmful or bad; thinking about the bad qualities of someone or something; thinking that a bad result will happen; not hopeful or optimistic; expressing dislike or disapproval.”
Does this sound familiar to anyone? If not, take a moment to turn on the news channel of your choice, visit a doctor’s office, or phone a friend and ask them how their day is going. Negativity is all around us, and it spreads like the common cold.
I get it—life is hard. As a matter of fact, the Bible told us that it would be. We are told that we will face persecution, judgments, and suffering on more than one occasion. Nevertheless, the pages of God’s Word continually tell us to stand fast, withstand, stand strong in the Lord, and persevere.
Lately God has been stressing to me the importance of renewing and transforming my mind through the Word. The more we focus on the gloom and doom of the world around us, the easier it is to lose the joy of our salvation. Nehemiah 8:10b says, “…for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” The word strength in this passage means, “Defense.” The joy that comes from Jesus Christ is our defense against negativity, worry, and pessimism.
The Apostle Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians that no matter what we are going through, we can combat our stinking thinking! He lists several things for us to think on in chapter 4 verse 8, “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.” To paraphrase, Paul is saying here, “Don’t listen to and believe the lies of the enemy. Instead look for truth, look for righteousness, and look for my hand in all situations. Think on these things. Speak on these things. Share these things.”
Let me be clear—this is not a positive, prosperity Gospel; however, when we change our thinking to be more like Him, eventually our speech will be more like Him. “…and the God of peace shall be with you.”
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