Considering what the world has been through from 2020 till date, there is no doubt it takes a lot to stay positive. The glaring aftereffects of the pandemic on the global economy have been on display. It continues to cost many people including believers not just their livelihoods, but their mental health as well. How can we go about being the light in a world often covered in darkness so intimidating? How can we stay positive in the midst of so many negatives?
This question reminds me of a video clip I saw about prayer and the results we get. It explained that when we pray for patience and courage, God doesn’t magically give them to us. Instead, He prepares opportunities for us to exercise patience or act courageously. In a similar fashion, I believe a ton of us have prayed for people to be won to Christ through us and it has not yet happened. We live life to the glory of God, yet we run from situations that seek to not only test us but solidify our faith in Christ.
God created the human spirit with a lot of thought and care. Our creative and imaginative ability comes from our minds. A thing that functions via the spirit. This is why the Bible advises that we protect our hearts and minds. Knowing the power the mind wields makes it important for us to always feed it with positive things. Therefore, as children of God, in spite of what life throws at us, we must always imagine positive outcomes. Our thinking must always be about the best of situations or things.
Meanwhile, the antithesis of imagining positive results is drowning in worry. Worry feeds off the fear of the “worse case scenario” could be. Worry radiates negativity and pessimism built on lies. These things cripple our ability to dare to imagine the great things God has for us. This has to be the reason God tells us not to worry or be anxious for nothing.
Whilst some may argue that not worrying when bad situations occur may send a wrong message. It can be misconstrued to mean a lack of concern for the situation, right? However, worry not. Have you ever heard of a time when worrying fixed anything? If it’s so useless and even harmful to our health, why then do we dwell on it in turbulent times?
We must rid our minds of fearful thoughts drenched in redundant need to worry. As God’s children, our source is God and we must remember that when we worry, we limit the capacity of God. It’s a futile attempt at trying to use the world’s standard against that of God. In Philippians 4:8, Paul simply urges us to think about “What is true, worthy of respect, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, or praiseworthy.” The Christian thought process should focus on the promises and truth of the scripture.
In thinking positively, we aren’t talking about positivity all by itself. We are reminding ourselves as believers of our place in Christ and the power it commands. In God, we have nothing to fear or worry about.
If we truly believe in and trust God, then we must maintain positivity.
Ogo Adelakun writes on diverse subjects.
