It’s never going to happen…He will never understand me…They’re a lost cause…I’ll never find a mate…I’ll never get that promotion…I’m a horrible mom…I’m a horrible friend…I’m such a loser…I’ll never get well…I’ll never graduate…I can’t do math…I can’t do English…I can’t spell…my kids are totally out of control…COVID-19 is never going away..I’m so lost…I’m so sick…God doesn’t really care…Is there really a God?…
Stoppit already!
Have you ever gone down the spiral of negativity? I surely have. It’s a constant fight.
I’m so thankful that God gives us verses, chapters, stories about people who were afraid to fail. Of people who thought “I can’t” but did.
Let’s make a list of those people: Moses (actually told God that he couldn’t speak to Pharaoh,) Jonah (didn’t want to go to Nineveh,) the twelve spies (ten out of twelve thought they couldn’t defeat the Canaanites,) Saul (hid because he was scared to become king,) Elijah (sank into depression and wanted God to take his life,) the apostles (fled the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was arrested.)
These are heroes of the Bible, all. And I only listed a few.
How to overcome negativity?
Trust in God’s Goodness
God promised, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, Deuteronomy 31:6)
Jesus tells us not to worry. (Matthew 6:25-34)
Cast your worries on the Lord because he cares for you. (I Peter 5:7)
Reframe Your Negativity
I’m not talking Pollyanna stuff, here. But change the negativity into a list of positives.
Maybe you were blessed with good health. Maybe your family came home safely last night. Maybe you’re just thankful that winter turns into spring. Even in the darkest night, there is hope. (Psalm 23:4)
Fight the Lion with God’s Help
Understand that the father of lies–the devil (John 8:44)–wants nothing but heartache and destruction for you. He’s not some mythological creature that someone made up. That’s pretty obvious, since we all know how much evil is in the world. The devil is ruthless and wants your mind. (I Peter 5:8) But the devil cannot stand up against God, who gives us strength to fight the powers of darkness. (Ephesians 6:11-17, 2 Thessalonians 3:3, James 4:7)
Call on Your Church Family
Wise Solomon said, “Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?” (Ecclesiastes 4:11)
A person alone can be overpowered, but a cord of three is not easily broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
Your church family is a community of believers. We worship together, laugh and cry together, pray for each other, and encourage each other. We aren’t perfect people and will readily admit that. But we are here to serve.
If you’re looking for a place of belonging. A place to help you fight negativity, a place to find God, please let us help you. We’re on our own journeys through the ups and downs of life, too.
#womenblogs #fightnegativity #hopeinGod #unchurched