Having a Positive Attitude

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." -James 1:2-4

You know, in life its pretty safe to say, people don't tend to enjoy being around negative people. There is enough negativity out in the world, coming from the news, our workplaces, and perhaps even our own families. The reality is people enjoy being around people who help them feel better, to look at the positive side of a situation, and who have an "anything is possible" attitude.

The apostle James had this kind of perspective: "...consider it an opportunity for great joy..."

Of course, there are plenty of instances where being overly happy or joyful is not appropriate, such as the death of a loved one or a very trying situation. But, this does not mean we cannot be positive and at the same time empathize with someone's situation. When we're going through something hard, it's good to have good, positive people around who understand.

Winston Churchill said, "Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference." (my emphasis)

Do you need to have a more positive attitude? If you're not sure, ask the people around you if you need to be more positive. One person can either buoy up or drag down an entire team, depending on their attitude.

Focusing on the Negative Brings No Return

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."-Phillipians 4:8 & 9

Jesus asks us in Matthew 6:27, "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"  We know the answer is "no", but so often we get caught up in the drama or the negative in life and forget this one thing: in the grand scheme of things, love is all that will remain.

When people or things bother us, such as workmates, politics, family, friends, institutions, policies, and schools, what should we do?  Certainly if it's in our power to change something for the better, we should. But if it isn't, what should we do? 

Some things we just need to let go of. Some issues require that we deal with them, lovingly. (Matthew 18) But when Paul said he had peace that surpassed all understanding, he meant it. (Phil 4:7) He was able to have peace - when arguing for the sake of Christ, when in prison, when facing trials - all because of the grace of God in his life. 

"I would not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum."  -Frances Willard  

We have such a limited time on this earth. Isn’t it most important to focus on the positive instead of the negative - to provide solutions instead of making the problem our focus?  It's true that what we focus on, we get. But, each and every day, we can invest what little time we have into making someone else's life just a little bit better. 

I hope this is our goal. Focusing on the positive and providing solutions to problems brings a much greater return.  Don't get stuck on the negative, and it won't get stuck on you!