by Ms. Sasha
Have you ever been having the perfect day, and then something happened that changed the whole mood? Maybe a negative person approached you, or a situation took a turn.
It’s happened to me too. However, there’s a solution for overcoming negativity. In this article, we will show you how to stay encouraged when you see negativity coming.
Get ready to discover the key to …
- Tackling Negative Attitudes Head-On
- Trading Negativity for the Truth of God’s Word
- Staying Encouraged with Scriptural Affirmation
How to Tackle Negative Attitudes
Getting Rid of Our Own Negative Thoughts
An annoying conversation with a customer; traffic on the way home; a drink spills in your car.
All incidents that may not be so bad if they are isolated. However, we tend to process things differently when they happen one after the other.
When this happens, our moods sour quickly, and out comes careless speech, complete with dramatic phrases.
(ie. ‘My life is over!’)
But, is it, really?
Then, there are times when we’re negative without anything negative happening. I’m talking about the times we say certain things we don’t mean, even though they have pessimistic undertones like,
“You make me sick.”
“I died laughing.”
“It is what it is.”
When we look at these phrases written down, they have a different tone than when we say them. At that point, we have to ask ourselves, ‘Do these sayings truly reflect our desires, or are they meaningless words?’
The concept of “manifesting” and “putting it out there” originated in the early 1900s. However, the Bible spoke of a similar concept long before. In Proverbs 18:21 NLT, it says to be careful what you say because “The tongue can bring death or life, and those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”
Sometimes, our own negativity interrupts our day; but thankfully, God has given us an alternative. Instead of “taking life on its terms,” we can welcome peace, better circumstances, and even miracles all by saying and believing the right things.
We can fight negativity, and reverse what seems or sounds natural by speaking words of faith instead.
“I’m super disappointed right now, but I know God will work this out.”
Let’s replace one of these common phrases with a Faith Statement.
Instead of saying, “It is what it is,” we can still express our real feelings and maintain a position of faith. A better expression we can use is, “I’m super disappointed right now, but I know God will work this out.” Then, we can watch God do miracles for us as we talk to Him about the situation in prayer.
This approach does take a little more effort because it requires us to stop and think about saying the right things. However, putting forth the effort is worth it because we can trust that God will give us answers, resolutions, and peace through our dilemmas.
Dealing With Negativity From Others
Sometimes, we enjoy a great day, and then we are approached by people who specialize in discouragement. They don’t know what God promised us, and they’re not interested.
Then, some are not malicious but don’t have a habit of faith, and they just can’t see our vision.
When I was first married, the thought of having a baby with my new husband was very exciting. However, when we decided it was the right time, it didn’t happen. We tried for seven whole years, and still nothing happened.
Then one day, I read this in the Bible, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you (John 15: 7).” When I read that, something clicked for me. I had seen that scripture before, but God spoke to me and told me that those words were for me; right now.
I looked over at my husband and asked him, “Do you think God will give us a baby? He raised one of his cheeks, unleashed a pleasant smirk, and said,” Yes.” He was used to me asking this, and I was used to him saying yes.
This time, I believed it. I believed it because I had just read a promise that God said applied to me. In that moment, I prayed sincerely, asked God for a baby, and he said, “Yes.”
People knew that we hadn’t had a baby yet, and since years had gone by, they stopped asking about it. In fact, some of our mutual friends began offering us consolation every time other friends in our community became pregnant.
I decided to keep hoping though, because I knew I had something gold. A word from God.
We continued to talk about God’s promise and believed it.
Some people thought we were doing “wishful thinking,” but by continuing to speak about God’s promise to us, our faith became strong. After two months of speaking and believing God’s promise, I became pregnant. We are now blessed to have three children!
For years, I depended on others’ faith concerning having our first baby. But this time, I had accepted a faith challenge from God.
You see, no one can believe or speak God’s promises into motion for you. You have to do it.
When we stand against negativity with a shield of faith, God moves on our behalf, and the devil’s plan to discourage us becomes dismantled.
Trading Negativity for the Truth of God's Word
Years ago when my husband drove Uber, he had passengers who would sing occasionally. One night, two friends in their 30s were riding and began to sing, one much louder than the other.
Despite the songstress’ confidence, my husband noticed her performing the wrong lyrics. Instead of “Street Life,” she crooned “Street Lights…is the only life for me” repeatedly. She continued to sing the wrong words for several minutes.
Tickled and feeling slightly guilty for waiting so long, my husband gently corrected her, letting her in on the right lyrics. As her cheeks reddened with embarrassment, she threw her head back and said, “Wow,” with acceptance. Her friend laughed wildly.
She had gone at least 10 years saying the wrong lyrics and no one stopped her! I’m sure there were others who knew the words, but they appeased her and let her sing the wrong lyrics anyway.
We can go our whole lives saying the wrong thing unless there is someone bold enough to intervene. I am thankful that Jesus is bold enough to intervene. He is not afraid of our thoughts or things we may have said. He offers us a new way of thinking and new ways of speaking so that we have more opportunities to welcome his goodness in our lives.
When negativity creeps up, God’s Holy Spirit is here to bring us back to a place of peace in our hearts and help turn bad thoughts into hopeful ones. This hope will help us prepare to welcome God’s amazing blessings, that we wouldn’t be able to access without believing for them and speaking words of faith.
When we experience negativity, we have to look for reasons to hope, and replace hopeless speech with God’s promises.
Stay Encouraged with Biblical Words of Affirmation
Hearing God’s Word is the best way to build your faith. Thankfully, there are so many ways to access it. If you don’t have a Bible, you can access the Bible online, or print and repeat the scriptures on this page.
Here are some Biblical words of affirmation to help you combat negativity and start manifesting God’s peace and blessings in your life.
John 10:10 AMP: “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. [Jesus] came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].”
You Say: Satan, the thief, only comes to steal from me, kill me, and destroy me. Jesus came so that I can have and enjoy my life, and have it in abundance, to the full, until it overflows.
Psalms 23:4 NIV: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
You Say: Even though this experience feels awful, I will not be afraid of evil, because God is with me. His leadership and protection gives me comfort.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
You Say: God has plans to bless me. They are plans to prosper me and not harm me. They are plans to give me hope and a future beyond what I’m experiencing right now.
Ephesians 6:10 NIV: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
You Say: I will be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. I will stay armed spiritually, so that I can take my stand against all of the devil’s savage plots.