Tips for having a positive Christian attitude

Have you ever noticed how fun it is to cool off with people who think positively and who seem to naturally maintain a positive attitude? No matter how bad the circumstances are, negativity doesn't even enter their mind, let alone cross their lips to form negative and faithless words! But let's be honest, meeting a positive person is a rare event these days. Sorry, that was definitely a negative thought!

In her typically cheerful tone, Karen Wolff shows us how to turn our negative thoughts into positive thoughts - permanently - with these positive attitude suggestions.

Negative versus positive thinking
Why is it much easier to have a negative than a positive attitude? What is inside us that naturally drags us to the negative side of things?

We read books. We participate in seminars. We buy the tapes and things seem to be going well for a while. We feel better. Our prospects have improved and we are confident. That is ... until something happens that makes us start all over again.

Nor must it be an important catastrophic event to send us back to the land of negative thinking. It can be something as simple as someone stopping us in traffic or pushing us forward in the grocery store checkout line. What gives those seemingly simple events of everyday life so much power to literally throw us back into vertigo?

This infinite cycle continues because its source is never addressed. "We do our best" to be positive, trying to overcome what we really feel. It's a lot of work that pretends to be positive when we know too well inside that it won't be long before one of those annoying life problems creeps in and pours into our whole positive attitude.

Think negative
Negative attitudes derive from negative thoughts that derive from reactions to negative behaviors. And around the cycle it goes. We know that none of these negative things come from God. There is nothing negative in the way he thinks or acts.

So how can we end all this nonsense? How can we reach a place where our positive attitude is what is natural for us and not vice versa?

We wish we could give you a magic formula that, if applied correctly, would erase your negative attitude in three days. Yes, can't you see the information on such a product? For just $ 19,95 you can make all your dreams come true. What a deal! People would line up for this.

But alas, the real world is not that simple. The good news is that there are a few things we can do to help transition from the land of negativity to a much more positive place.

Positive thinking tips for a permanent positive attitude
First, focus on what you are thinking about. Do you remember what we said about being stuck because we never dealt with the source? Our negative actions and words come from our negative thoughts. Our body, including the mouth, has no choice but to follow wherever our mind goes. It is possible to control our thoughts, regardless of what we have been led to believe. As soon as a negative thought comes to your mind, you decide to replace it with a positive one. (2 Corinthians 10: 5) In the beginning, this may require some work, because it is likely that we will likely have many more negative thoughts in our heads than positive ones. But in the end, the relationship will reverse.
Secondly, stop letting others' negative attitudes influence yours. This could mean that we have to stop dating people who do nothing but throw up bad things. We cannot afford to do this when our goal is to become more positive. Negative people in our lives won't like it when we stop participating in negativity. Just remember that birds of a feather really gather together.
Third, make a list of all areas of your life that you want to change. Also list all your negative attitudes. If you can't think of things to put on your list, just ask your family. We bet they'll help you make a really long list!
Fourth, take some time to write strong, life-giving and positive affirmation statements. Commit to reading these statements out loud every day. Enjoy how fantastic they make you feel. Know in your heart that you are making progress, even if you still cannot see it. Continue to affirm the positive.
Finally, take some time to pray for this. You can't change alone. But you can spend time with the One who is able to help. Do what you can and let God do the rest. It really is that simple.
This process will change the way we think and this is the real key to changing the way we act. Remember, the body will follow wherever the mind goes. There is no way to separate the two, so we could also "program" what we want, instead of casually leaving it to chance.

Just know that God's version of a righteous attitude does not contain anything negative. And if we want the best of God for our life, start with the right thoughts, his thoughts to be exact.