True Positive: Day 18 – Patience

July 24, 2017July 24, 2017Leave a comment

painting-1654823__480

“Patience” may not be your favorite topic of conversation, but there is a unique beauty in learning to wait. Impatience only stirs up anger and frustration, but if we can develop the positive quality of waiting, we experience peace and joy. Being patient with others brings them blessing. The Bible reminds us that God is patient and slow to anger with us.

What is the first attribute of love listed in 1 Corinthian 13? Patience! When we love people, we bear with them and recognize that God is still at work in their lives. While we are waiting on circumstances or on people, it is a good idea to pray and look for something productive you can do. I always keep a book in the car with me, so that I can occupy myself while waiting. Whether waiting for the right job or the right spouse, we can always find something productive to do while waiting.

Don’t be afraid to ask the Lord to give you patience. It’s a positive and beautiful quality

True Positive: Day 16 – Helping Others

July 22, 2017Leave a comment

madi-robson-113926

Feeling blue? Consider doing something kind for someone else. It may be volunteering at a hospital or a dog shelter or at a local school. You could write a letter to someone who needs encouragement or cook a meal for someone who could use some help or even bring groceries to someone who can’t get out right now. When we reach out to help others, thinking of their needs, it gets our mind off of our own stuff and actually gives us a feeling of joy. Although our motivation for doing things for others shouldn’t be to please ourselves, it is a natural consequence and an added blessing.

A team of sociologist tracked a group of 2000 people over a 5-year period and discovered that those who described themselves as “very happy” also volunteered at least 5.8 hours per month. Of course, there could be a number of reasons for this, but researchers believe that showing compassion gives people a neurochemical sense of reward as an emotional boost. For more benefits to helping others click here. Jesus spoke about showing kindness and love even to our enemies. He said, “Give and it will be given back to you, a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, it will be poured into your lap.”

Take one step today to reach out in kindness to another person.

Photo by Madi Robson on Unsplash

True Positive: Day 12 – Work

July 18, 2017July 18, 2017Leave a comment

beautiful-15704__480

Our work can bring us joy, enrich our lives and even increase our positivity. Projects, chores or responsibilities give us a sense of accomplishment and commitment to a greater cause. Work often gives us the opportunity to serve others and to get our minds off of our own self-centered problems. We learn and grow as a person through hard work and perseverance. Certainly, we must be careful to keep a balance in life and not take on too many responsibilities which may increase stress. Additionally, we must avoid complaining and grumbling – which we will talk about in tomorrow’s post.

Let’s teach out kids that work is not something to be avoided, but rather something to be embraced. Paul wrote to the Colossians, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ (Colossians 3:23,24).” Find joy in your work by thinking of your work as an opportunity to serve Christ. When you have down days (which we all do), ask God to give you a fresh viewpoint or a new perspective to help you see a greater purpose in your work.

Some of the happiest people I know are also some of the hardest working people I know. Don’t avoid work, embrace it and discover a new strength and confidence as a result.

True Positive: Day 11 – Purpose

July 17, 2017Leave a comment

bright-1911255__480

We were created on purpose and for a purpose. God has given each of us unique gifts, talents and abilities to use for His Kingdom purposes. When we recognize that God has an individual purpose for each one of us, it gives us a sense of joy and confidence. How do you discover that purpose? I believe the best way to walk in your purpose is to walk closely with your Creator.

As you get to know Him through reading His word and spending time in prayer, you begin to sense His direction and purpose in your life. I love how David wrote in Psalm 23, “He guides me down the right path, bringing honor to His name.” Paul encouraged the Ephesians with these words, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” How wonderful to know that God planned long ago for us to do good works for His glory!

Ask the Great Artist to lead you and guide you as He carries out His great purpose in and through you.

True Positive: Day Six – Faith

July 12, 2017July 12, 2017Leave a comment

FullSizeRender (8)

Our belief system impacts our overall attitude toward life. When we operate from the belief that a loving, creator God cares about our lives and listens to our prayers, we live with a hope and peace that surpass normal understanding. More than that, through faith in Christ we live with a sense of forgiveness and grace that God has bestowed on us, and we in turn extend a similar forgiveness and grace toward others. Living faith of this nature creates in us a deep and abiding love and joy which can’t help but elevate our attitudes in life.

Even secular psychologists site that faith practices can elicit positive emotions such as joy, tranquility and compassion. It’s one thing to believe in the God of the Bible with our minds, but it’s another thing to lean in with our lives and trust His unfailing love for us. One of the ways we strengthen our faith is by reading His Word and spending time with Him in prayer (which we will talk about tomorrow). Consider how Paul encouraged the Roman believers’ faith, and notice the peace and hope that come as a result:

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5)

Ask God to strengthen your faith in Him today.