Posted by Art Alexander 

I was reminded today in a meeting of a Ray Charles song where he sings, “If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all.” 

Have you ever had one of those days or weeks where you have sung those same words? How long does it take you to get into that loop of negative thinking? 

 Do you find watching CNN, FOX, the CBC or listening to the local talk radio that causes you to go down that rabbit path of negativity? Or it may be the crazy weather or Covid19, going maskless or getting or not getting Vaccinated? What about those body aches and pains that just don’t want to go away? Or possibly the current political scene and what is happening in your part of the world? 

New Thinking is Needed

What or who is it for you that is bringing this negative thinking to your mind? Others have suggested that when you get into that negative zone you are caught in that infamous “Doom Loop” and around you go again. 

Let me suggest that you can change that negative thinking. You might be thinking how is that possible Art you don’t know my situation?  No, but I do know that the Creator of the universe does. He has given you that internal switch that with one flick your thinking process can change. Is life always a bowl of cherries as Forrest Gump said, not at all. We do see that scripture reminds us in Romans12:2.“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Let’s not be like the “Babblers” as the Scriptures talk about in Matthew 6:7  “to babble on” like non-believers who have no hope. Let us develop a healthy mindset thinking about the positive things in our lives.  This will help develop an attitude of gratitude.

I’m not saying walk with your head in the clouds but not to dwell on the negative. Do you know a few negative Nelly’s or those people whose glass is always half empty? And when you are around them there seems to be a heaviness in the air. We can make that intentional decision to focus on more positive productive things.

We can grasp hold of Romans 12:2

“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable will of God”.

It’s been said that we may not be able to keep the birds from flying overhead but we can keep them from building a nest in our hair.      

Our Infinite and Intimate Heavenly Father calls us and instructs us how to pray and in these times of negative thinking let the Lord guide you out of the darkness. Like Charles Schulz’s Lucy character maybe we could be that “Positive Force” for others. We can pull ourselves out of that negative mindset as we call on our Heavenly Father for that new outlook. 

We can choose and be intentional about putting aside negative thoughts and ideas where we should do as it instructs us in 1 Thessalonians 5:21,22 to “Test all things and hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” With that, I believe it includes negative talk to others and our own self-talk.

Chuck Swindoll says that  life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent of how we respond to it. What do you think?

How are you responding to life today?