July 18, 2023
Overcoming Negativity
I saw an illustration about negativity that has changed my focus. A professor at a college gave each student a white sheet of paper with a black dot in the center of it. The professor had each student give an oral answer about what they saw. They could not use an answer already given. The answers were about the dot in the center of the paper. The answers included about the size, the color, the placement, the meaning etc. about the dot.
The professor then told them that the black dot represented negative things. The white paper around the dot represented positive things. Each student had focused so hard on the negative things that they had missed the vast number of positive things surrounding the one negative thing. They had lost sight of all the positive things because one negative had become their focus. WOW!
As I thought about that illustration, I applied it to my life. How many times have I allowed one small negative thing to blind me to all the positive things that are surrounding me? How many times have I allowed one small negative thing to ruin my positive day? So I have a piece of paper with a black dot on it on the bulletin board at my desk. When things that are negative happen (And they will) I look at this paper and INTENTIONALLY start trying to see all the positive things that are occurring. What a difference it makes!!!!
I know some people who always focus on the negative. If you gave them this illustration, they would not only want to make the dot bigger but also add more dots to it. They never see all the positive things that God is doing in and around their life. How sad to live this way, always looking at things through negative eyes and thoughts.
The Bible says in Philippians 4:8-9 from the Living Bible says, “…Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.”. When we focus on the goodness of God and all the wonderful things that He provides for us it will help overcome the negative things of this world. Intentionally change your focus.
God promises in Isaiah 26:3 “He (God) will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!” So win the war with negativity by keeping your mind on God. It makes life a whole lot more wonderful.
In love with Jesus – Gary Mimbs