Many television networks, cable news broadcast, and various social media platforms would be out of business if they were required to report truthful, hopeful, optimistic, and positive messages. We discover ourselves feeling overwhelmed, and easily pulled in to the gloom, distrust, hopeless, and cynical worldviews that dominate our society. We are bombarded with negativism on every side- it is no wonder we struggle to stay in truth, positive hope, and faith!
Yet God has given us guidelines that will help keep us from getting pulled habitually into pessimism and turn us towards having a positive, optimistic outlook. The Word tells us to contemplate, ponder, consider, and meditate on whatever is positive and good. We must positively focus on Jesus, our King-Priest, and come close to God and approach him with an open heart. Then cling tightly to the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises! This will help us walk in victorious faith and experience true life- not drawing back in fear (Hebrews10). Fix your heart on the promises of God and you will be secure, feasting on his faithfulness. When you quiet your heart in his presence and pray, hope will be kept alive as you long for God to come through. The Lord will intervene, because the Lord takes care of all his forgiven ones, while the strength of the evil will surely slip away. The Lord loves it when he sees us walking in his justice, and He will never desert his devoted lovers. “But the Lord will be the Savior of all who love him, even in their time of trouble. God will live in them as Strength, because of their faith in him, their daily portion will be a Father’s help, and deliverance from evil. This is true for all who turn to hide themselves in him! (Psalm37)”. So, keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. Also fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. Most of us do not discern just how habitually negative we have become! If we really understood the spiritual law that states we create with our thoughts and words, we would guard them more closely (Proverbs18:21;23:7). It is God’s will to transform our thoughts, words, and lives for the better! With the Holy Spirit as our helper, and God’s miracle working grace involved in the process, we have the God given ability to evolve from negativity towards his positive Light. The spirit of our mind will be transformed into a positive spiritual reality, as we keep our eyes on Jesus- His love has the power to change our focus and loose us from negativity, as we step forward in the power of Justice, Truth and Light!
“For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]” (Philippians 4:8).
