Taking It to Work:
Here’s a hard question for you. Are you someone who uplifts the people around you, in general, or are you, in general, a “Debbie Downer”? I know we are all a little of both sometimes, but it is a good Biblical question to ask of ourselves.
I remember a Peanuts episode where a small rain cloud followed Charlie Brown around wherever he went. From what I remember, no matter what happened, or how good something seemed, as soon as Charlie Brown got involved, the little rain cloud would open up and ruin it for Charlie Brown and everyone else around him. Soon they didn’t want him around.
Some people at work can be like that. Sometimes we can be like that. Even as faithful followers, we are not immune to the trappings of pessimism and faithless, negative thoughts. This can be an issue, especially the older and the more experienced we become. If our past experiences with people and similar circumstances tend to drive our minds to want to make negative comments, expect the worst outcomes. Always be the nay-sayer in the group, or even worse, become the nay-sayer and the “I-told-you-so” guy.
Nobody is uplifted by that kind of person. They might end up being right, but they are nobody’s favorite company. DO you know someone like that? Be aware that a negative attitude can sneak up on the best of us.
How do we combat it? Proverbs 4:23 says we are to guard our heart with vigilance, for from it flows the wellsprings of life. We can’t let the negative things in life pollute what flows out of us. Paul says in Philippians, we are to fill ourselves with praiseworthy things, excellent things; commendable, honorable and lovely things . . . and when we top it with the truth of God’s promises, His very uplifting promises, instead of a Charlie Brown raincloud, we will be wellspring of life and encouragement to those around us!
Take a few minutes today and count the praiseworthy things that surround you. Decide to be that wellspring of Godly, positive expectation, in the middle of your workplace, as His Word works in you, today.
Phil 4:8 (ESV) – Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Rom 8:28 (ESV) – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Proverbs 4:23 (ESV) – Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
2Cor 10:5 (ESV) – We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ . . .
Listening to the Holy Spirit:
The mind houses strength and weakness. Thoughts not holy can drown the soul in unholy anguish. In this state, faith and its strength cannot be felt. Those who hold high thoughts, with expectation they move forward, riding on hope in faith. Capture the thoughts, that they would not mislead. Hold fast to My Word, and you will not sway like the reed in the wind. As the flower follows the sun, so too you must follow the truth. I Am Truth and Life to those who call Me Lord. My Spirit dwells within them, and My Father loves them. You are one of these, if repentance has flushed your heart with My blood to cover your wounds, and your mind and will are subject to Me through the rebirth offered you. Then you will hear not only your thoughts, but the thoughts of the Spirit, counseling and extorting you to Truth. In the strength of this Truth, take hold of every thought not uplifting, every anxiety which comes to steal peace, and every temptation set up against you. Your mind must be under guard, for as a man believes wrongly, so he may wrongly become. Stand guard in the strength of the Spirit. Take hold of the good, giving thanks to the Father. Bind and discard what is not of the promises of My Word. Lift again your eyes, to follow the Son amidst the wind.
