The Lord has pressed on my heart to stop complaining about everything that goes wrong in my life. I have gotten so used to calling my "go to friends" and discussing things that were going wrong in my life, but I wouldn't take those issues to God. I found myself constantly dwelling on the negative things, that I didn't have time for the positive things. I would do everything I could, from reading the Word, to listening to sermons, but I still found myself talking about the wrong things.

        Do you ever do this? It could be something as little as getting angry with someone on the highway for cutting you off, and you fuss about it the rest of the day. Or if a family member or a coworker mistreats you, and you tell anyone who would listen about what happened. I know I do at times, and it can be such a mood killer. I could be having a great day, then something bad happens and my whole day would be ruined. Well, today I have decided that today is the last day. I want to turn all that negative energy into positive energy. And you should too. I'm not saying it will be easy, but if we take it ONE day at a time, we WILL see a change. One of my favorite people to listen to in ministry is Joyce Meyer, and in her book Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind, she teaches how to overcome negative thinking by using scripture. It is a powerful read, I'm actually still working my way through it.

       Proverbs 18:21 states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue. And those who love it will eat it's fruit." Sitting here reading this scripture, I couldn't help but wonder what that last sentence meant. Then it hit me, when I speak death, i.e. complaining, negative talk, then I am eating the fruit of death. Because that is all I will attract. But when I speak life, uplifting and positive speech, then I am eating the fruit of life. You may ask, "How do I keep from speaking negatively over my life?' The answer is this, when a negative thought enters your mind, don't speak it. Instead, thank God for something positive. Even if you can't see it, it will manifest through your faith. By not speaking to negative thoughts, you have defeated the enemy. Being positive has to be intentional. Here is an example, the other day, something happened to me that upset me deeply. I was extremely hurt, but I encouraged myself in the Lord, and reminded myself of His promises. When I got home, I wrote what I was feeling down, and I thanked God for things that I have not yet seen. Then, I burned up the letter. Why? Because I didn't want to keep dwelling on it over and over. I gave it to God, then I let it go. That's the way we have to be about everything. In order to live a positive life, we have to let anything within us that is not like God, go.

       Another scripture that deals with our words is Matthew 12:37 where Jesus tells us "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you are condemned." Using this in the context of negative speaking, if we become offended by someone, and we talk about what that person did to other people, then we become just as guilty as them. And we cause the other people to sin as well. Being justified is taking the matter to God and to that individual, and resolving it peacefully. Again, being positive intentional, because Proverbs 19:11 states, "A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. NIV"

     As I am writing this post, I am being made aware of how often I have failed in this area of my life. So as I am helping you, I am helping myself first. Negative thinking and speaking becomes a habit that we develop over the years, but we can break this habit by choosing to be positive. This is a total renewing of the mind. So, before you speak the negative thought that IMMEDIATELY comes to mind in adverse situations, take a beat and say something positive. You will feel so much better. Talk to God about your problems, instead of people. Focus on the good things happening in your life, and if you're in a situation where you're thinking, "There is no good in my life." Start declaring that things will get better. Thank God for life, health, and strength. Thank God that He gave you another chance to live for Him. Speak life into your life. God is able to do everything you need Him to do. Your faith activates His power. As I close, I will leave you with this, Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God; to those who are called according to His purpose." Things will get better. My challenge for myself and you, is that for the next 21 days, we make it our mission to not complain. We won't focus on the negative distractions in our lives, but we will intentionally be positive about every situation. What do you say? Will you join me?

Prayer:

Father God, I thank You for Your faithfulness in my life.

I ask that you give me the strength to take on this

"I won't complain challenge."

I put my faith and trust in You.

In Jesus name.

Amen

 

 

Yours in Christ,

Erica J Hill

© Grace Built This Creations 2015

gracebuiltthis@outlook.com
gracebuiltthiscreations.blogspot.com


*****In the spirit of full disclosure, there is an affiliate link on this post, which means that I may get a commission if you decide to purchase this book from Amazon.com. I only recommend products & systems that I use and love myself, so I know you’ll be in good hands. 

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