In episode four of Project Afterlife, the power of positivity is credited as one of the main reasons for Dean Braxton being brought back to life. Afraid that negativity might cause family members or friends to lose faith, Dean’s wife Marilyn surrounds her dead husband with encouraging words and prayer. This spiritual warrior mentality, never giving up, eventually led the man that she loved to be resurrected.
Jesus said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him, Matthew 9:24.
As a coach of nearly twenty years, I’ve witnesses teams collapse due to a spirit of doubt. All it takes is one key individual to become consumed with pessimism to turn the tide of a game. Following a bad inning in the field two seasons ago, I called my baseball team into the dugout. The body language displayed signaled the game was over, yet it had just begun. Looking into the eyes of these boys, I asked “do you believe we can win?” After hearing several no’s, I threatened to forfeit the game. Negative minds kept this team from tasting victory.
Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live, John 14:10.
Whether you’re in school, working or retired, no one is immune from negativity. This mindset can be contagious, contracted by oppressive parents, bossy siblings or Debbie downers. If you’re not careful, you might join their misery or be brought down, sucking the life out of a room. To avoid going down this road, its essential to clothe yourself in the fruits of the spirit. Even when environments can be suffocating, the Holy Spirit has the ability to pierce the darkness through the power of positivity.
by Jay Mankus
