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And the prophet Isaiah said, "The heir to David's throne will come, and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hopes on him." So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
ROMANS 15:12-13
Day 29
- I just know it'll be bad.
- Nothing good will ever come of this.
- I might as well give up now.
- We'll never get out of this financial hole.
Negative thinking taints our lives, painting a picture of despair and hopelessness. Yet God calls us, as Christians, to "overflow with hope," even in tough times. However, he doesn't ask us to do it alone. He gives us "the power of the Holy Spirit."
If you think the worst first, here's how to move toward a hope-filled life.
Are You a Negaholic?
Two Christmases ago, sick in bed with the flu, I passed the time by watching a talk show on "negaholism." One guest in particular stands out in my mind.
"I'm no good. I can't do anything right," she repeated. "I have no goals, and I know I can't change. My family would be better off without me."
I grew frustrated by this woman's self-loathing. She's obviously not a Christian, I thought smugly.
But the program stayed with me. It made me think about the times I've reacted with near-fatalism to certain situations in my life. Only a year ago, a routine mammogram sent me into an emotional tailspin as I agonized over the "what ifs" and anticipated the worst. My child's listlessness can conjure up fears about serious diseases. And what about those electromagnetic power lines right next to my office—could I be zapped with lightning as I walk to my car on a rainy day?
It's hard to admit, but despite a decades-old faith in Christ, at times I really don't differ from the self-proclaimed "negaholic" on that talk show.
Beyond the burden of defeat or depression, negaholism can cripple us with fear and leave us feeling separated from God and often missing out on the joy our Christian walk should bring. Habitual negativism is at odds with faith in Christ—a faith that teaches us that "with God everything is possible" (Matt. 19:26) and to "give your burdens to the Lord" (Ps. 55:22).
But before we can deal with negativism, we need to ferret out the underlying attitude or problem it may be hiding. "Whenever I counsel a negative person," says Dr. Ray Mitsch, a clinical psychologist with the New Life Clinic in Wheaton, Illinois, "I like to ask her, 'What do you gain from this behavior?' A person who finds something wrong with everything frequently is looking for attention from the people around her."
Often our negative habits are old-fashioned sin: a self-centered heart, a lack of faith in God's sovereignty in our lives and the lives of those around us. In the end, pessimism is disagreeing with God, in effect telling God he doesn't know what's going on. And the only surefire remedy for these maladies is a healthy dose of confession and repentance.
When I was little, it was hard to
communicate because I was deaf.
Sometimes I felt lonely. Today I hope
when people hear me speak, they will
never doubt they can do anything.
HEATHER WHITESTONE
While God doesn't call us to blind optimism, he does call us to what Sheri Klinka, program director for the New Life Clinic's day hospital and a licensed social worker, calls "whatever" faith—trusting God no matter what. HE wants us to be willing to see our health, our jobs, our relationships, our futures, even the world around us, with a perspective that mirrors his own.
That kind of change may seem overwhelming. But the gospel is filled with the promise of transformation. It may not happen overnight, but when we bolster our decision to change with prayer and the power of his Word, our dependence on God's perspective—instead of a "negaholic" one—will steadily grow.
—Jane Johnson Struck
A STEP FURTHER
Be a Positive Thinker!
1. Distance yourself emotionally. When you're in the midst of worry, it's difficult to assess whether or not you have a legitimate reason for concern. Seek the counsel and prayers of friends for a balanced view.
2. Determine your motive. Is your pessimism triggered by disappointment over relationships or anger with God? Locating the cause makes it easier to develop a solution.
3. Pinpoint the distortions. List your fears, and compare them to the truth of God's Word.
4. Face your fears. Think about your biggest fear—then remember that God has promised to be with you and equip you in every situation. Choose to trust this truth.
—JJS
Faith Focus
On a scale of one ("negaholism") to ten ("whatever" faith), where would you rate yourself? What will you do the next time negaholism grabs hold of you? In what areas do you need to develop a "whatever" faith?
Prayer Pointer
Thank God for the many hopeful
promises in his Word—and espe-
cially for his promise to take you
home to heaven someday! Ask
him to help you look at any diffi-
culties with eternity in mind. Pray
that he'll assist you in developing
a "whatever" faith.
 The 30 Days Series is a 3 book set offering 30 thought provoking daily devotions each. Each day's lesson offers a Scripture passage, short message or story, quote for the day, tips on implementing the lesson, and a suggested prayer.
These 30 day devotionals are powerful little books that you won't want to be without. Order the 3 book set or pick from the 3 individual titles.
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Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today, Inc. All rights reserved. Excerpted from 30 Days to a More Incredible You, by Ramona Cramer Tucker, pages 170-175. Used by permission. For reprint information call 630-260-6200.
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