Taking Down Negativity

Have you ever noticed that the most microscopic trace of negativity holds a disproportionate amount of impact?

An eye roll.

A critical thought.

A snarky remark.

Whatever form negativity takes, it does a quick work in a bad way. Negativity fizzles enthusiasm, hurts hearts, and steals joy. A negative word adversely changes the atmosphere of our home or a person’s heart.  

Worst, negativity is infectious. It goes viral faster than a video of a deployed soldier’s surprise homecoming.

I’m not sure why it’s so dang easy to be negative, or why a critical word slips between my lips with such ease, despite my intentions. But I’m determined to fight it. To do my part. And to pray for God to change my heart. Because as Luke 6:45 points out, it’s “out of the heart the mouth speaks”.

The most powerful thing we can do—that changes the very atmosphere of our hearts and squelches negativity—is to cultivate intentional gratitude. And what better time of year to prayerfully practice this than now…with Thanksgiving on the horizon?

Here are 3 simple, specific ways you can practice intentional gratitude:

1. Before your feet hit the floor each the morning, whisper a sentence of gratitude to God. Lord, thank you for Your peace. Or, Lord, thank you for your fresh new mercies this morning. Whatever you need or whatever He has already done for you, turn it into a simple prayer of thanksgiving as you swing your legs out of bed. This sets the tone for a day of gratitude.

2. Ask the Lord to help you recognize and notice everyday blessings all throughout your day. Then thank Him specifically. Have a full pantry? Thank Him. Did you enjoy that talk with your friend? Thank Him. Whether it’s a hot shower, sunshine streaming into your windows, a beautiful breeze or a car that works, notice it and express your gratitude. Make this a daily habit!

3. Thank those around you for simple gestures. Did your spouse take out the trash? Thank him. Did you child actually put their cup in the dishwasher? Thank them. Did your mailman lug a large box up your driveway? Thank him. People love to be noticed and appreciated (I sure do!), and expressing our thanks to those around us (even for small things) is a great way to encourage others while cultivating our own heart of gratitude.

This November, let’s take our gratitude efforts to the next level. As we each prayerfully cultivate intentional gratitude this month, it will become a holy habit—one that squelches negativity and changes the atmosphere of our hearts and homes. And that is something to be thankful for.

Every woman struggles to believe she is who God says she is and to believe the stunning promises He whispers to her heart. But when you're a hot mess (and we all are to one degree or another), it's hard to imagine things can be different—that you can be different. 

In my book, From Hot Mess to Blessed, I help you 

• understand your identity in Christ instead of believing "I'll always be this way"
• embrace your true significance instead of feeling less-than
• hold on to peace instead of freaking out when hard things keep happening
• grasp your God-given destiny and begin walking in it

It's not that God doesn't bless hot messes. (If that were the case, where would any of us be?) But you don't have to remain a hot mess. It's time to receive and experience God's hope and promises in a fresh way!