I know the change His truth is making in my life.
I know my heart’s desires.
I know the gifts of grace He has given me & how counting those gifts brings joy.
Yet.
They don’t know.
Grumbling is the language spoken here.
Discouraging, hurtful words dominate.
I’m not judging but saddened.
I feel hopeless & helpless to change the negative tone.
Instead of having a positive influence I begin to join in.
The negative air thickens and suffocates. So thick that His light in me is dim.
After days of discouragement, my tears finally flow when I find myself alone.
I am unable to mend the brokenness I witness.
Can this be redeemed?
I head back downstairs with a heavy heart deciding to make one last attempt.
I introduce a simple game…paper, pens, words.
Slowly joy returns. We come together with no screens on & no food to consume.
God is glorified in this.
Family together. The insecurities and hurtful words fade as we share this moment.
I head home comforted in knowing that light broke through darkness…even if just for a moment.
We have a choice each day: be a positive influence or a negative one.
A negative attitude can bring a whole crowd down with you (one bad apple…).
When we interact with those who are negative influencers we have a few options:
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Join in
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Pull away
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Distract
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Encourage positivity
But can positivity overcome negativity?
In the midst of sarcasm & criticism can gratitude & joy find a place? Do they come off as fake & judgemental? I struggle with how to be authentic in the presence of negativity.
On the other hand, I’m also guilty of being the negative one.
I’ve seen the devastation my complaining & critical words have in our home. “If mama ain’t happy, nobody’s happy”…
“Negativity is in ineffective way for dealing with stress. When we’re negative we feel bad. We project and blame others. We try to be perfect. We expect others to be perfect…We complain and complain. These are all ways that we deny-rather than accept and deal with- the reality that goodness and badness are both part of ourselves, others and the world we live in.
God says to us in His Word, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). This is living with a positive-minded faith in Christ. The only way to live this way is by the attitude Paul opens Romans 12 with, “In view of God’s mercy.” -William Gualtiere, PhD
We may not win over all the negativity with positivity. But we can choose to not add to the negativity. We can choose to see things with God-centered eyes. We can dedicate our days to be used by Him for His glory. To stand strong in the midst of “evil” and negativism. Although it may be difficult and we may not see change, we can be confident in knowing we were faithful in this…
{Romans 12:11-12} “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
{Matthew 26:41} “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the [flesh] is weak.”
{Luke 6:28} “Bless those who curse you.”
Prayer for today (by William Gualitiere):
“Dear God, you are sovereign. You are Lord of all and I want you to be my Lord. I ask you to ordain all the events of my day. Let everything that happens to me pass through your hands. Use each situation I encounter today to teach me to become more like Jesus – to think your heavenly thoughts, to desire what you desire, to say and do what you’re saying and doing.”
So true! Do we join in or do we influence a positive change? Often, I find my heart joining in even when I’m not verbalizing it.
” We can choose to see things with God-centered eyes…” love!
thanks for linking up friend!
I can too easily fall into that negativity trap as well. I’ve decided (and encouraged my family also) to take the 30 days between November 25 (my birthday!) and December 25 to not say anything negative about our church. Sad, I know, but too often we complain about things that we don’t like there that could be better. There’s a difference in working for change versus whining about the lack of it. I want to stop the whining in myself at least.
Great post. Thanks, Heather.
Heather,
Clicked over from “Write It, Girl”.
We do chose what we contribute to a situation or conversation. Where I get in trouble is when I let sarcasm get me. I let it seep from my mouth too often without thinking about the impact it has.
Are you sure you weren’t in my heart recently? I can completely identify! Thanks so much for your transparency and encouragement in the Word!
By His Grace,
Lisa
I just had to write out what was weighing heavy on my heart from Thanksgiving. I’m glad that you could identify. thanks!
I’m visiting from Stefanie Brown’s blog and I so relate to this Heather!!! We have atheist/secular families on both sides and it is so hard for me to not wither. I am fearful and tentative, while at the same time reverting back to the unhealthy patterns of my childhood. I have gotten better with time at sharing my light and not participating in the darkness, but it’s a constant struggle and I still bounce back and forth sometimes. This is a beautiful and real post, and is so inspiring!
Christine I’m so sorry to hear about the struggle you have with your family. I wish I came to some sort of revelation of how to have the positive influence the negative. Will pray for you this holiday season to stay strong in the midst of challenge. Thank you for sharing your personal experience here.