Negativity is all around us. We are exposed to it in every form of media as well as in our social and personal lives. It is enticing, comes easily and can infect us. It is a deadly and devastating influence that can wreck a relationship, destroy a marriage, damage a family, tear down a company, devastate a church and ruin lives. Negativity may be born out of laziness…too lazy to change things. It may be born out of fear…fear of the future, the obstacles or failure. Negativity travels in packs. A negative person most likely has negative friends. One thing is sure, negativity starts and stops with you and with me. It is infectious, spreads rapidly, but there’s a decision to make…will it stop with you?

Scriptures
Num 13:27-28, 31-33, 14:2-4; Eph 3:20; Isa 40:31

Verse
Glory belongs to God, whose power is at work in us. By this power he can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. (Eph 3:20) But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak. (Isa 40:31)

Thought
God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. By God’s power Pharaoh released them after ten plagues devastated Egypt. God parted the Red Sea for safe passage, provided food and water in the desert, and physically led them in a cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. When the time came to claim the land God promised, Moses sent spies to survey the situation. Ten of the twelve spies returned with a negative report about the size and might of the occupants. Their words infected the Israelites and the result was incapacitating. Because the Israelites didn’t trust God to lead them into the Promised Land, they never entered. They wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Negativity can change the future.

Questions
What do you find to be most negative in the media? Do you have any negative relationships? How do you respond to a person who has a negative view of everything? How do you respond when something negative happens to you or to someone you love? What efforts do you make to be a positive influence at work, at home and in your relationships?

Response
EAGLE acrostic. EVALUATE your relationships. Avoid relationships that leave you depleted. Some people drain and some build up. Choose wisely. ASSESS what God has done for you. God gave you salvation. He has a great plan for your future. God wins! You win! GIVE God the glory. Be thankful for your blessings. An attitude of gratitude has positive results. LIVE it. Say positive things. Do positive things. Encourage others, affirm them; give compliments freely. END negativity. By recognizing negativity, you can head it off. Look for ways to turn the situation toward a positive outlook. God is in control and He is Lord of all!

Prayer
Thank you Lord for your love and for the peace and hope I find in you. You are the God of the past, present and future. Although I live in a world filled with negativity, I am thankful that I can dwell in your presence with the promise of your continued care and provision. Remind me daily that my relationship with you is more powerful than anything the world can throw at me. May I share your love and hope with others who need to hear the positive message of Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray, Amen.