A few weeks ago, I was out and about, and I overheard someone complaining about something I thought was kind of silly. They were complaining that someone said it was a beautiful day! They said, “Are they crazy?! It’s 95 degrees out!” And they ranted and raved in anger about it.
Later, I heard another complaint someone had regarding something someone said, and it was just as petty. I started to ponder this and I came to the conclusion that we are really very negative people. Statistics show that if we have a bad experience, we will share it at least 7 times, but if we have a positive one, we share it only ONCE. Wow.
I decided to research God’s Word for what He had to say on the matter of being positive, and here’s what I found:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:8
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Ephesians 4:29
“Let no corrupt communication come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
It seems that it is easier for us to look for the bad in others, rather than the good. We are great at complaining! We excel in it! But what if we decide to look for the good in others? Instead of trying to find out what’s wrong with someone, what if we decide to see the good that God sees in each of us?
I am convinced that we can change our world by choosing to see the positive, and maybe just complaining a little less.
Try it this week and comment below what happens!