Dealing With NegativityBy Brian Houston

Dealing With NegativityBy Brian Houston Are you ruled by what 'might' happen or what you 'think' you can't do? Do you see the container 'half empty' or 'half full'? Human nature tends to focus on the negative. For example, the public sits up and takes notice when a businessman, minister or politician fails morally or financially. But of course for every leader who falls, there are thousands of faithful men and women who, over a lifetime, diligently live by good ethics.A great percentage of people are unaware of the impact that negativity has on their lives but it can literally sabotage their destiny and rob them of a fulfilling, abundant life. Negativity has the power to hold you down well below your potential, and cause you to miss out on God's plan for your life. Negativity always reflects inner defeatJesus said, 'For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.' (Matthew 12:34 NKJV). You can easily tell the content of a person's heart by listening to the words they speak.In your day-to-day life do you ever listen to yourself speak? Do you notice the anxiety you express or the hopelessness you confess? This shows up in even the simplest comments. Negativity will reflect inner defeat. It often lashes out at circumstances, people, the environment or the government. It may cast blame on a father, mother, leader, boss or spouse. I believe that in every circumstance negativity is not about any of these things. It is about the individual and what's going on inside. Negativity always justifies itself'All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits.' (Proverbs 16:2 NKJV) We can generally justify the way we think and act. There are usually good reasons for us to feel hurt or perhaps victimised, but justifying won't change anything. It simply gives us a reason to accept mediocrity or failure.Negativity attempts to justify its stance by quoting experience. Religion sometimes justifies itself through tradition and experience. However we must stand firm in our determination to succeed, because the moment we begin to justify ourselves we'll cut off opportunities to change and grow.Negative people draw on negative experiences and build their beliefs and opinions around them. Then they justify their position because of what happened to them. Positive people are more likely to change themselves to line up with their potential. Negativity chooses your friends for you'He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.' (Proverbs 13:20 NKJV) We need to be very careful who we spend our time with, and who we allow to give us advice. Are they people 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 become the person you were intended to be, or are they deflating and distracting you? Whatever direction your friends are heading in, will have a major influence on your future ... if you allow it. A person determined to overcome negativity and fulfil their destiny cannot afford to be held back by leadweight relationships. Negativity magnifies and distorts the truthAnxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. (Prov 12:25 NKJV) Anxiety is built on what MIGHT happen. It affects every area of your life, and thrives on 'What ifs ...?' What if I get sick? What if I lose my job? What if my children have an accident?Negativity and anxiety work closely together. An anxious or depressed person cannot see straight. Their perspective on life is blown out of all proportion. Small things seem huge, molehills turn into unbeatable mountains.If you are looking at the world from a heart full of cynicism and bitterness, your perspective of the truth more than likely, will become magnified and distorted in a destructive way. Negativity makes sweeping statements and harsh judgmentsWhen King David began to dance with joy and happiness in the midst of a great crowd, his wife Michal watched with disdain. Embarrassment fuelled her caustic and sarcastic retort. "How inglorious was the King of Israel today." Was David's dancing the real issue? Or was it the negative condition of Michal's heart that prompted her to make such harsh judgments?It is easy to watch people from a distance and make sweeping judgments about them. Sadly, the need to criticize or pull down comes from a negative condition within.Negativity will rob you of the great future God intends for you, so challenge the negativity in your life. You can begin to change things by building a good foundation and living by God's Word. ©2005 Brian Houston. Adapted from the series 'My Deadly Seven' by Brian Houston. http://www.hillsong.com/brianbobbie/default.asp?pid=669