Bridget A. Thomas
Every day is a gift!
Choose Joy
Hearing from God can be so special. I don’t hear an audible voice. But there are times when I “hear” something deep inside and I know it’s from God. One particular time when this happened was on February 26th of this year. I know what day it was because it was also Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.
On that day, I asked God to show me anything that might be a roadblock in my relationship with Him. And His answer was, “Negativity.” When I asked the question, an answer came quickly. And I had a feeling deep within that made me know this came from God.
If you know me, perhaps you think I am always a positive person. I do try to be. But I am not perfect by any means. Sometimes I complain and gripe, just like everyone else. I don’t like being that way. And it is something that I try to work on. But when the Lord spoke to me about it, it really hit home! So, this is something I have been working on even more this year.
It can be difficult to stay positive in our culture. And with all the events of 2020, it has been even more difficult. But it is possible. We have to stay rooted to the Lord, remember He is our source of truth and strength, limit time watching the news, express our gratitude towards God, and praise God. Those things have helped me to be more optimistic.
But I have two secrets to share with you that will catapult you into a positive frame of mind. (1) You have a choice. All the thoughts that come into your head, do not have to stay in your head. (2) Feelings are liars. Just because you feel a certain way, doesn’t make it truth. You should take your feelings to God and compare them to Scripture. When we know we are thinking or feeling negatively, we can choose to turn it around.
There are many Bible verses that speak about this topic as well, so it helps to memorize them and recite them when you are tempted to be negative.
- Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. – Philippians 4:8
- Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6
- Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
- Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. – Proverbs 4:23
- The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. – Romans 8:6
- We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:5
- The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. – Proverbs 18:21
Have you been sucked into a bad habit of complaining and negativity? Will you join me in turning it around? I hope so! Let’s start today! Let’s choose joy. And we can be a shining light to the world around us.
© 2020 Bridget A. Thomas
Bridget A. Thomas 
The two points you mentioned are so true. It is definitely a choice, I do not always remember that but have been doing it more lately. And that feeling should definitely not rule how we act or respond.
I like how you put all those verses here, seeing them all together makes us realise that the word does say a lot about it.
Thanks for a wonderful word.
Blessings to you dear friend 💙
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Thank you, Manu! Our thoughts and feelings are usually so strong that we take them to be truth. It can be difficult to turn them around. But when we realize we have a choice and that they are not necessarily truth, the process gets easier. I am glad you enjoyed the post and the verses! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! And blessings to you too, my friend!! 💕
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We need these reminders in today’s climate. It’s easy to get pulled in, guarding against it is so important.
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Yes it definitely is easy to get pulled in! You are so right about that! But we can change if we are willing! Thanks so much for your comment! Blessings to you and yours! ❤️
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Beautiful!!! This has been the echo of my heart lately!! We have a choice…and people need to understand that, believe it, and live it out through Him!!
I’m reading ‘Get Out Of Your Head’ by Jennie Allen and taking my time going through and everything in your post and the verses are things she is teaching into!! It does so much good for my mind which can sometimes be cynical.
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Thank you! Yes I love how you put that – we need to understand it, believe it, and live it out through Him! Amen! When we are surrounded by negativity, it can be so difficult to pull ourselves out. But it is absolutely possible! I read the book too and it definitely was a gem!! I probably need to read it again and again. We have to make these changes into lasting habits in our lives and heats. Thanks so much for sharing your feedback! I am glad you enjoyed the post! Blessings to you! 💜
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Yes I’m with you, I need to reread it once I finish..I’m taking my time so I can let it soak in!!! I started about a month ago and half way through now..she shares a lot of the same thoughts and fixes as me so it’s reassuring
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Taking your time is good! I am a slow reader and try to compensate by reading faster. But I tend to overcompensate and then don’t necessarily get as much out of the book. So I think going slow is wonderful and will help!!
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I agree!! Takes me a lot to concentrate and retain information!!
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I’m not a complainer, and I don’t see myself as a negative person, but I can get down really easily. My joy can be sapped in an instance. One day I’m up and the next day I’m down. It’s really challenging. I think these verses would help with this as well. It’s definitely mind over matter. Discouragement sets in so easily when we get focused on the wrong things. So I should write these down somewhere I can read them daily. I think my prayer journal would be a good place because I am trying to be faithful in prayer. I will look there everyday. Thanks so much for sharing. Hope you’re day is full of positive thoughts. Be blessed dear friend.
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I get discouraged too! It is so easy to get sucked into that frame of mind!! I am so glad this post and the verses were helpful. I think putting them in your prayer journal sounds perfect. Thank you so much for sharing your insight! And I hope your day is full of positive thoughts too! I must confess that I really needed to preach to myself this morning. I was feeling down and negative but I bounced back. Many blessings, my friend!! 💕
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This was perfect timing! I’ve been grumbling and complaining a LOT lately. My kitchen is torn apart and my house is a wreck. (I’m washing dishes in the stinkin’ bathtub! UGH!) I want to go shopping but there’s a crazy virus out there. And so on and so on. So yes, I’ve been all sorts of negative. Your words made me stop and think. It’s not the things that are putting me in such a bad mood – it’s my negative thinking! I’m going to try a lot harder to stay positive and be thankful for all I do have in my life. Thanks so much for this!!
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Michelle, I am so sorry! I can definitely understand the grumbling when you have been dealing with renovations for years. I think we all would be doing the same. But complaining / negative thinking does make us feel worse. I know it makes me feel worse, anyway. So, I love the idea of trying to be thankful for all that you do have. Since Thanksgiving is on the way, maybe you could keep a gratitude list for the next few weeks. It helps me to have something concrete to remind me to stay positive. I am glad the post helped and encouraged! And I am praying for you! Blessings my friend!! ❤️
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Thank you! I love the idea of creating a gratitude list! And thank you for the much needed prayers, too! 🙂
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This is a spot on post. It’s hard work to be positive all the time, in fact almost impossible without some guide lines to keep one mind focus on the scriptures you quoted. Great post.
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Thank you! I am glad you found the post to be insightful. You are absolutely right – it can be hard work. Some days are harder than others. But we can always count on Jesus to strengthen us, if we are run to Him! Thanks for commenting!! 😊
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