Stay Positive

Let’s look at being positive, constructive, optimistic, confident, and grateful in the Lord.
Why do we need to consider these attributes?

Paul tells us in Philippians 1:6 that we can and should BE POSITIVE and CONFIDENT, because “…HE who has begun a GOOD WORK in us will complete it…”

2 Corinthians 5:21 reminds us that we are His and we are the righteousness of God in Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us that Christ is in us, we are His temple. And as His temple, we must glorify Christ with positive, optimistic, confident, and grateful thoughts and behavior.

We are to do ALL things without murmuring and complaining. Philippians 2
We are to build ourselves up -- “The wise woman builds her house.” Proverbs 14:1

Focus on hope and NOT despair—
H – Happiness in Christ (hope in Christ)
O – Optimistic
P – Positive
E – Eternity with Christ

Monitor your mind. Monitor your thoughts. Keep your mind and thoughts stayed on Christ. Trust in Him. Isaiah 26:3

Take captive all negative thoughts to the obedience of Christ. Remember that we serve a mighty and powerful God. And in Christ, we have MIGHTY weapons to pull down negative strongholds in our mind. 2 Corinthians 10:4,5

Sing, make melody continuously in your heart to the Lord. Be filled with the Spirit! Be filled with thanksgiving and gratitude always! Ephesians 5:18,19,20

Practice humility. Practice being in the presence and grace of the Lord. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

When David felt alone and depressed or despondent he built himself up in the faith. “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved…But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6

When Paul was in prison writing the Epistles, he was alone, isolated, and perhaps forgotten, but he kept encouraging others through his writings. He had needs just like we do: to be in community and be connected. Yet his focus was not on himself, but on the church. He encouraged the church to live in peace by thinking and meditating on things that are noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report. Philippians 4:8,9

Paul had needs, just like you and I have, yet he knew the importance of being content. He knew and learned: how to suffer; how to be abased and abound; and how to be full and hungry. He learned that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him. Philippians 4:13

I have found that positive, optimistic, confident people are thankful, grateful, humble, joyful, and happy (rooted in hope in Christ), with singing and melody in their hearts. ❤️