Whether a situation is good or bad, there are many people that typically choose to see the bad side of things. They choose to see hiccups as negative. They choose to look at circumstances and only see failure, let downs, or how something doesn't measure up to some randomly created standard. They make comparisons and only see the downside. They fail to recognize the love of God in whatever it is that they are critiquing.
There are also people who generally choose to see the good side of things. They choose to see hurdles as growth opportunities. They choose to look at circumstances and see the positive aspects, the lessons learned, or the beauty that can be found in the journey. When they make comparisons it is to point out good qualities and positive attributes. They recognize that we are all different, but that God created us all and His love is in us all.
Have you noticed that these two types of people use words differently? Words are powerful tools, friends. They can build a person up or tear them down. They can be inspiring, loving, and positive. They can also be discouraging, piercing, and negative. How you use them is your choice.
I have been guilty of being that negative speaker. The fault finder. The cynic. I also consciously choose to often be the positive person. The one that looks for the lesson. The one that sees the blessing and beauty when things don't go as I planned. I try to always be the positive one, but I can be negative, too. I don't like that about myself, but I know that I can learn from that. I can learn that it is better to speak the truth in love in a positive and uplifting way rather than a demeaning, negative, cynical way. One really is better than the other. It is better for both the speaker and the listener to take the high road. A truly win-win situation.
I don't really know where I'm going with this. Rambling, I guess. I just heard something at work recently that made me think about how important our attitudes, perspectives, and words really are. If we keep a positive attitude, our perception of things will improve and the words we speak will be filled with love. That is so important, both for ourselves and the people around us. I guess I just wanted to share that with you all and ask you to keep a positive outlook and choose life giving words when you communicate.
4 remarks:
I am unbelievably bad at this one. I think the depression/anxiety thing predisposes me to automatically look at the bad side of everything, or even to EXPECT bad to happen. I HATE that part of myself, but often find I can't control it.
Note to self: THIS IS NOT OKAY.
Thanks for the reminder!
When WE do the things you mentioned, we give Christianity a bad name, shame on us. WE should "go our way and sin no more." That admonition, given to the woman caught in the very act of adultry, was given by Jesus. I believe He was aware that she would not remain sin-free for the rest of her life, but I believe He was serious about the adultry thing. I believe you are right in pointing out a weakness that WE must repent of and STOP doing.
The problem WE have is that WE pray, "Lord, I've been at it again, I'm going to need more of your precious blood, and by the way, I'll probably be back for more soon." THAT attitude is not worthy of the sacrifice made!
I love this! Thanks so much for the wonderful reminder of the power of our words. They really do reveal SO very much about what's truly inside.
Excellent post. I have been thinking about it every day since you wrote it. Surprised?
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