Practice Positivity

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Scripture:

Phil. 4:8   Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

Observation:

I love the way in which Paul brings together his thoughts regarding fear, anxiety, and dealing with daily struggles. He gives us advice on the self-discipline of positive thoughts. We are to take the time to think about things that are honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent and worthy of praise. I think he’s saying — make a list, and think about these things!

Application:

Sometimes the word of God becomes incredibly practical. In a world of social media and 24/7 news cycles, it seems that we live in the midst of a feeding frenzy for bad news. It’s as if we choose to dwell in the cesspool of negativity and we are all getting sucked down into the muck. If we are to live above this and have victorious Christian lives, then we must not allow the negativity to rule our lives. Instead, we need to adopt these practices brought to us by the Apostle Paul. 

What if we began to make a list every day of the honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent and praise worthy things that we experience? I think our lives would begin to change. Here are some practical suggestions I’d like to make:

  1. If you use social media, try posting at least one positive message a day. It could be praising someone, or about an encounter, or just a good word.
  2. If you are engaged in a discussion on social media that could be negative, try to bring about a different perspective in the conversation.
  3. If people are talking about someone and they are laying on the negativity — bring up the positives about the individual. Serve as a counter-balance to the conversation. 
  4. Compliment the people that serve you — whether in a restaurant, on the telephone with customer service, or someone at the cash register. 
  5. Tell your spouse good things; how much you love and appreciate them. Thank them for the ordinary activities they do to make your life easier. 
  6. Tell your pastor what you liked about church last Sunday. Often our pastors only hear the criticisms and it’s very hard on them. 

You could probably help add to the list! I encourage us to take this very practical advice from Paul and make it one of the disciplines in our lives and see if our attitude about everything just might change. 

Prayer:

Lord, I thank and praise you today for the wonderful husband I have that gives so much of himself to help me. Thank you for beautiful daughters, inside and out, who love and serve you. I’m grateful for two sons-in-law who are precious gifts to our family. Thank you for the joy of two granddaughters who light up the room by their presence. May this be a joyful day in service to you, Lord. Amen. 

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