Negative Nancy

Ephesians 4:29


Let no corrupting talk 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.


I needed to read that today.


It is so easy to get caught up in the negativity that surrounds us these days. From constant complaining, worrying, and arguing, to having the best, and being the best. Jealousy can be overwhelming. and when you see someone that has everything, and you don't believe they deserve it... bitterness can creep in.


I'm one trillion percent guilty here. I've made fun. I've talked trash. I've not stood up for people when I felt like I should. I've joined in on the gossip. I've wined about what I thought I deserved, and I have done a ridiculous amount of pouting. I was so busy pointing out everyone else's faults, I didn't realize the severity of my own. They are even more dreadful than the ones I was going on about.


Negativity is like a bad habit. It becomes part of your daily routine. Until one day, you decide you want to quit. If you want to quit drinking, dont hang out in bars. If you want to quit smoking, don't hang out with smokers. If you want to stop being negative, don't hang out with negative people.


1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”


I don't want to simply cut back on negativity. I don't want to ween myself off of it. I want to stop completely and abruptly. I want to lift my friends up, help them out. I want to focus on the good, and realize the bad could always be worse. I want to be thankful for what I have. I want to love without conditions. I want to see the good in everyone. I want to set a good example.


This does not mean I am going to start spouting off positive reinforcement every 3 minutes or anything. It does not mean I am going to bite my tongue and just say something else. I want it to be a genuine, inside-out change. I want to change my mindset, rather than JUST the words I choose to say aloud. I am going to have a change of heart, and in turn, retrain this brain of mine.


If you hear me being unjustifiably negative, flick me or something. Even if its justified complaining, smack me.


oh. boasting is out too.





“Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.” Buddha