Have you ever been told by someone that you see things differently or that you are looking at something from the wrong angle based on your feelings about a situation? If so, here’s a word of encouragement: when you choose to see things from God’s perspective, it changes how you feel. We are all guilty of feeling negative about things that do not really matter. Negative feelings can cloud your thinking and lead to poor judgement.
It has been said that the only thing that is keeping your old negative feelings in place is your thinking. A biblical reminder of this in Proverbs says, “as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” A person’s heart full of positive thinking will provide clarity to their feelings and values.
When you start thinking the right way, your life starts going the right way. But remember you do not become negative overnight and so you will not become positive overnight. Here are some key points on how to start seeing things differently and in a more positive light:
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- Replace your negative thinking with thoughts that are praiseworthy. Deal with destructive thoughts the way you deal with flies at a picnic—shoo them away.
- Before you take on the future, recall God’s goodness to you in the past. Remember what Shakespeare said, “let never day nor night unhallowed pass, but still remember what the Lord hath done.
- There is a song that is often song in churches with these lyrics. “I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart.”
Remember, you do not have more problems than other people, you just think about them more often. Remember, what you think produces how you feel. You cannot feel angry without first having angry thoughts or feel sad without first having sad thoughts. To experience a feeling, you must first entertain the thought that produces it. This is life-changing information, and it will change your life as you act on it. On this Valentine’s day, have thoughts that are positive, and you will have positive feelings in your heart. Positive feelings about things in your life can lead to a happier life. So, start seeing things differently and Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
By Chaplain Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net
