Be Positive

After a presentation, performance, or big event, we can breathe a sigh of relief and relax. It’s like the resolution after a climax in a story or the calm after the storm. It’s a time for reflection and restoration.

After God created the earth in six days, He rested on the seventh. He even commands us to rest because He knows how important it is for our bodies. He also knows how we overwork, pack our schedules, and have busy lives. We need to take time to relax, breathe, rejuvenate, and refresh. Then we’re ready to hit the ground running.

God also reflected after each day’s creation to see that it was good. Sometimes we over-analyze and over-scrutinize. We point out all the things we think are flaws and focus our attention on the nit-picky negatives.

Perhaps we should follow God’s example and see the things that are good. If we focus more on what went right and what was good, we’ll uplift those involved. We’ll brew positivity and change for the better.

So, what do we focus on? It’s all a matter of perspective. Positive reinforcement is more encouraging than negative reinforcement. Positive attitudes about things that went well are more motivating and uplifting. Meanwhile, negative attitudes look at all the things that went wrong and cause others to feel like they failed.

It’s important to be realistic. But in the same breath, is it more important to scrutinize or to support? To criticize or offer ways of improvement? The Holy Spirit can temper our approach to breathe life and hope. In all cases, the underlying tone needs to be love, because that is the strongest motivator for positive change.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Genesis 2:2-3

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves.” Psalm 127:2

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3

“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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

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