Staying positive

Life has many catchy phrases for it. Getting lemons, keeping your chin up, it’s all very well-intentioned but rooted in absolutely nothing. We have a hard time as humans remembering all the good things we have in our lives. We fixate on the negative and let it consume our time and energy. Some say its an internal defense mechanism, back when we were all fighting for survival on a daily basis. I believe we just happen to get lost in the present or caught up trying to plan our way through the future.

We do have a lot to be thankful for, a lot to look forward too, but life here on earth isn’t it. It’s not those things we first think of, it’s not the fame and riches seen on TV. That’s actually very selfish and small-minded. We love to use buzz words that make us seem like we are a caring, advanced culture who are inclusive and generous to all, but are actually grounded in a worldview that believes we are a cosmic mistake with no real value or purpose beyond the few years we are on this planet. It’s more than that. We receive more information now than ever before. What has it done? Made us more self-conscious. It has amplified the false promises of vanity and wealth. It has even spawned a counter-culture within itself as young people try to detach from society and explore the world around them. This pushes us to a decision point. Either we accept God’s word as truth and believe we are loved and have a purpose or we believe the ever-changing view of society that lead to depression, aggression, and ultimately it will destroy any civilization.

It’s out of fashion these days. What used to be the accepted truth is now a matchstick for controversy. It doesn’t seem to matter that it’s the truth, that there are a million reasons in each of our lives of God’s love and attention.  In the past it was known as the “simple life” It’s the day-in, day-out work ethic and focus on what is truly important to make people’s lives better, for Christians it’s that daily picking up of our cross and living our lives for who we do indeed owe it all. One of the first big truths that every person needs to learn upon believing is that God’s love and promises are real, everyday, good or bad situations are irrelevant. Its been warped a little by those that think that solemn is holy living, that our lives should be boring and void of any joy. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. No matter how many mistakes we have made or will make we are never going to lose salvation. That’s God’s promise not mine. That’s a joy worth shouting about and sharing to everyone around us. Its the external difference that people first see as a sign that someone is a Christian.

We don’t have to do it alone. That is what the body of Christ is for, to lift us up, encourage us and remind us that our God is bigger than any problems we might encounter. With all that in mind we should strive everyday to start in the right positive mindset and know that if we are willing to step out in faith we can have the most fulfilling life possible.