Faith in the News Christian News
How can you turn around a negative attitude when it comes? Which ways do you think might help? Leave your comment and let us know.
An Attitude of Gratitude
This might sound simple, and it is, but get out a piece of paper and start writing everything you are thankful for: your salvation, your family, your home, your job, your car, your food, your clothing, your AC/heat, your bed, your… Well, you get the idea. Now, take this list and start praying it back to God in thanksgiving: “Thank You, God, that Jesus died for me, for my precious family; that I’m not homeless or in poverty; that I have food; that I have a job, a bed to sleep in, and my health”–whatever else you can think of. It’s nearly impossible to have a negative attitude when you’re giving thanks to God, and we’re commanded to always be giving thanks (1 Thess 5:18; Eph 5:20).
Serve Someone Less Fortunate
If you are feeling down, how about thinking of someone who is less fortunate than you. When I visit the nursing home, I see so many lonely people who are trapped in a frail, feeble body and are dying for company. In the latest statistics, I read that about 45% of nursing home residents have no visitors at all. That means they have no one outside of the facility to talk to and who will listen to them. During lunch I find a table with only one or two people sitting there and try to be a good listener. It’s hard to be negative about your own circumstances when you see so many others suffering and alone.
Think of the Future
If you’ve had a bad day, just think about how nothing in this life will ever be able to compare with the glorious future that’s coming (Rom 8:18) and that everything that happens to you in this life, good or bad, will work out for your ultimate best (Rom 8:28). I suggest you read the last few chapters of Isaiah and see what the kingdom of God will look like. Read Revelation chapters 21 and 22 to see just how awesome the New Jerusalem that comes down from heaven will be. We can better endure the present if we think more of the future, when there will be no more sorrow, pain, suffering, or even death (Rev 21:4).
Think of the Lost
If you think your “today” is not going well, think of what the future of those who die without Christ will be like (Rev 20:12-15). Sometimes when I look at people, I think, “I wonder where they’ll spend eternity.” Will it be in torment? Do they know the Savior?” I feel badly for those who are lost and don’t even know it. How sad that they don’t know the joy of being saved like we do. We might have a negative attitude, but at least God has rescued us and redeemed us. Think how sad it makes you feel that so many are going to die without Christ, and then do something about it–tell them how they might be saved.
Read the Word
There is nothing like getting into the Word of God. I try to take an early walk about one hour every morning, and I take my MP3 along so I can listen to a Bible teacher. That way I can walk and listen to the Word at the same time. I also start my day off with reading some out of the Old Testament and the New Testament. There is nothing better that helps start your day off than reading the Word and then a brisk walk in the morning. A little bit of exercise seems to lift my spirits, and launching my day with Bible reading makes my day seem better and turns a negative attitude into a positive one.
Conclusion
If we start our day off with prayer and give thanks for all we have, if we serve someone who is less fortunate than we are, if we think of our glorious and joyful future with Christ, if we think about those who are not yet saved and witness to someone today, and if we take a walk and walk in the Word daily, I think we can do much to turn a negative attitude into a positive one. God would want it to be that way, don’t you think?
May God richly bless you,
Pastor Jack Wellman
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