Tag Archives: overcoming negativity

From I Can’t to God Can

Posted on December 2, 2021 by expressyourself4him

For most of my childhood, I was extremely negative. As accidents happened over and over again, I developed a low sense of esteem. When you add to this a severe speech impediment, my thoughts quickly filled my mind with a I Can’t mentality. This doom and gloom became a self fulfilling prophecy as accidents, disappoint and failure followed me for more than a decade.

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles. 18 The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent. 19 Many evils confront the [consistently] righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all, Psalm 34:17-19.

While I didn’t recognize this at the time, God began to send strong Christians into my life. My 8th grade Science teacher was like a modern day Jesus who daily lived out the Bible. As I reached high school, I was invited to attend the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, but I kept saying no. I guess I was too cool for God. Yet, ungodly beliefs like “I’m not good enough” or I’ll never amount to anything” separated me from God.

I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. 13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who [g]infuses inner strength into me; I am [h]self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency], Philippians 4:12-13.

By the middle of my sophomore year of high school, I became addicted to Jesus. As I started to attend Bible Studies with other Christian athletes, the negativity which once consumed me began to fade away. Subsequently, when a spiritual mentor introduced me to the passage above, I started to shed my I Can’t mindset. Following an amazing FCA summer camp experience, I was transformed from I Can’t to God can.

by Jay Mankus

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The Fruit of Lips

Posted on May 5, 2016 by expressyourself4him

 

Unless you live in the Bible belt, portions of the south or in a friendly neighbor, an encouraging word is a rare sound.  Rather, misery loves company, spreading negativity into the air, leaving a trail of carnage in its wake.  In this current environment, the fruit of lips is disappearing.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name, Hebrews 13:15.

To combat harsh comments during the first century, the author of Hebrews suggests praising God can turn a foul mouth into the fruit of lips.  However, you still have to overcome any influences which alter your choice of words.  The term continually is added to insure this practice is consistent, not something here today and gone tomorrow.  Change takes time and making praise a habits will lead to a transformed vocabulary.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption, Ephesians 4:29-30.

The apostle Paul discovered that unwholesome talk grieves the Holy Spirit.  If the church is one body composed of many parts, any comment toward someone you don’t like or related to is like slapping God is the face, the Creator of life.  Therefore, to avoid failing into this trap, replace curses with praise.  Then, you will emulate the fruit of lips.

by Jay Mankus

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Where Did Optimism Go?

Posted on October 20, 2015 by expressyourself4him

If you want to get a pulse on how people are doing today, just listen to a group of unhappy teenagers.  Although being around a losing team, the down trodden and less fortunate may paint an inaccurate picture, spirits of optimism seem to be disappearing.  Whether its listening to the rants of co-workers, observing body language or viewing a news telecast, negativity is taking over.

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals,” 1 Corinthians 15:33.

When I was younger, during my junior high years, I battled depression.  Maybe this is normal, a phase of adolescence, yet positivity was lacking from my life.  I guess you could say I was a Debbie downer, able to suck the life out of any room that I entered.  Until one of my classmates committed suicide in eighth grade, life didn’t seem worth living.

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, Proverbs 22:24.

However, sometime between eighth and tenth grade, a series of events led me out of this negative mentality.  A teacher, youth group and spirit of emptiness set the stage for rebirth.  While I resisted change for two years, my heart wasn’t ready to accept Christ until the world dealt me a hand of disappointment.  Perhaps, optimism remains invisible today until the Holy Spirit breathes new life into dead and dying souls.  God willing, this trend of pessimism will be reversed to spawn a revival of optimism.

by Jay Mankus

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