Negativity

Are you ruled by negativity? A lot of people are. Life for them is one big fat bummer! A negative mind-set can sabotage your life, rob your dreams, and cause you to end up lonely. No one likes to hang out with a sour puss.

Negativity reflects inner defeat.

Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34 NKJV). Negativity often lashes out at circumstances, people, the environment, or the government. It always lays the blame upon the parents, the preacher, a leader, a school teacher, or a spouse. When people spew their negativity, it’s not really about their circumstance – it’s a reflection of what is going on inside.

Negativity always justifies itself.

Negative people justify themselves and their sour personalities by portraying themselves as a victim. Negative people draw on their negative experiences and build their beliefs and opinions around them. Then they justify their position because of what has happened to them.

Consider what Proverbs has to say, “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits.” (Proverbs 16:2 NKJV). You see, men justify their attitudes and actions. God, on the other hand, knows the truth and holds us responsible.

You have to own it. You may not have been able to prevent what has happened to you in the past, but you are responsible for who you allow yourself to become. That’s the plain truth.

Negativity chooses your friends for you.

We need to be very careful who we spend our time with, and who we allow to give us advice. Are your friends the kind who are moving onward and upward, or are they wallowing in negativity, self-pity and mediocrity, going nowhere fast? Are their words inspiring you to, or are they draining to you?

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20 NKJV).

Whatever direction your friends are headed is where you are headed too.