Have you ever had someone give you a compliment about yourself? It really doesn’t matter what the compliment may be. But do you have the tendency to think to yourself, “If the person only really knew me and how much of a struggle it is to do that. I am really a failure.”
There are really two types of people, those who are narcissistic and when complimented they just gloat over it and they are constantly saying how great they are. Or there are those that are constantly putting themselves down for their mistakes and can’t see beyond who they are, they are negative about almost everything.
Neither one of these types of people are in a good place. A narcissist is so selfish he can’t see beyond the end of his nose. God is not pleased with this kind of behavior. The good news is that He is willing to forgive and help us be an unselfish person.
On the other hand the person who is always being negative about everything is also in a bad place. God has given you talents that He wants you to increase and to use in blessing others. He created you. He made you with what is necessary to become what He wants you to be. And when we put down ourselves we are saying to God that we don’t like the way He made us.
When we talk negative we become what we talk and think. And we can cause others to become what we say. I think of those we are closest to, like our spouse and children, if we talk worthless words that is what they will become.
My daughter has to do some school through the summer because she was not as diligent as she should have been. I was getting her started the other day and before I even started to explain stuff she started saying, “I can’t do it.” Negative! I told her that she needed to change her mindset. She needed to be saying what she wanted the outcome of her thoughts to be, “I am able to do this work.”
Here are some things that I would encourage you to think about and put into practice.
- Rephrase your negative words to positive words. Every time negative thoughts or words come to your mind rephrase them into a positive sentence. And then think or say them. For example when your child seems to always try to take charge of everything instead of saying negatively, “Quit, you are always trying to take charge of everything, now just go.” Say, “You have the qualities of a becoming a great leader.” And then of course with a Christ like spirit you can direct your child.
- Be grateful. When we start our day with a negative attitude everything goes wrong. Start the day with writing down things to be grateful for. It might be hard to find things within your family but I would work on this. When we see everything through negativity it is hard to break.
- It is okay to have good things about yourself. Some of us can tend to think it is wrong to have good things about ourselves. And definitely this can become a pride issue. That is why we always need to recognize Who has given us these abilities. When we talk negative about ourselves we are putting down our creator.
- Say what you want to become not what you think you are. A lot of us as Christians stumble in our walk with the Lord and we then make negative comments like, “I will never make it.” What I would encourage you to do in any situation is say what you want to become. “I am forgiven.” “I am an overcomer.” “I am Christ like.” And this can be in every area of your life. What ever you want to become speak it as if you are what you’re wanting to become, as you work toward becoming what ever it is. For me I have started to write. I am not considered a writing but as I work toward becoming better at it I can still say, “I am a writer.” Or “I am a blogger.”
Believe me this is an area that I struggle in. So you are not alone.
Dear Father,
You have made each of us unique. You have given every one of us abilities way beyond what we develop. Help us to be more positive with our thoughts and words.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Start today to speak and think positive thoughts. And remember, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
Love you all.
What do you do to help keep your thoughts and words in a more positive line?