Have you ever heard someone try to say something positive, only to hear a “but…” Being a negative person does not promote joy or optimism. This type of person spends more time thinking about the bad rather than the good. Whenever this topic is raised, I always go back and read about the nation of Israel described in the Old Testament. They were being freed from Egyptian bondage and yet quickly returned to constant complaining (Ex. 15:24; 16:2, etc.).

Just as Israel had a reputation of negativity, so do many people today. All they see is doom and gloom. This attitude can become a sickness that destroys children of God. They become unproductive, they lose their joy in serving the Lord and they forget about the blessings found only in the Lord (Phil. 4:4; II Pet. 1:5-9).

It can admittedly be hard to count your blessings when all you see is bad. Our lights are meant to shine though, not be smothered. We might have to force ourselves, but we can always think of ways our situation could be worse. If we focus on the negative, contentment is nowhere to be found (Phil. 4:11). Things are bad when we lose sight of the many things we ought to be thankful for.

Imagine bringing a child a gift and hearing complaints that “I didn’t get this” and “I didn’t get that.”  Most would be quick to label this child as being spoiled and ungrateful. There is no difference spiritually when any God’s children lose sight of the good and become constantly negative. They may still smile when everything is going their way, but watch out for a quick change in attitude when the world stops revolving around them!

If there is one characteristic Jesus tried to get across to all His followers, it was selflessness (Matt. 18:4; 23:12, etc.). Christians focus on what they can do for others – friends, family, fellow Christians, the lost, Jesus Himself, etc. Do you see any similarities between yourself and the nation of Israel described in the Old Testament? We serve the same God as they did – let us not be guilty of taking Him for granted as so many of the Hebrews were.

Chuck