How do we stay positive in a world gone crazy?
By Dave Foucar
We live in a world that seems to be going crazy. Some may argue that every generation has experienced similar upheaval. That may be true and might even be worth further conversation. Still, whether this is a new situation or one that seems to historically repeat itself, the sense of “crazy” that surrounds us makes it difficult at times to remain positive. Whether our “crazy” is driven by the political environment, regardless of which side of the aisle you happen to fall on, or what appears to be international chaos doesn’t matter. Or perhaps our sense of “crazy” has nothing to do with any of that. Our personal life just feels like a shambles: health issues, financial issues, family issues, career issues have us overwhelmed. How do we stay positive in the midst of it all? Or maybe we even ask, “Should we stay positive in the midst of all of it?” Yes, we can and yes, we should.
I was recently listening to a podcast that related the specifics of a study done some time ago on positive attitudes. Separate groups studied were asked to keep daily journals. One group was to journal all the positive things that happened while the other group was to journal negative things. I’m sure it won’t surprise you what the impact on the attitudes of the participants was. In fact, I found myself wondering, “Do we really need a study to tell us the answer?” You guessed it. The group that journaled about positive things developed positive attitudes while the group that journaled the negative had more negative attitudes. Surprise. Surprise. Surprise. Concentrating on the positive makes us more positive.
Would it surprise you to know that this idea of positive thinking is Biblical? Paul the Apostle instructs Christians in Philippi to think about “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy.” (Philippians 4:8) So, if we’re still wondering about the “should” question we have biblical instruction to think about positive things. And that my friend, which we intuitively know and studies support it, makes us more positive.
One of the things I have come to love about the Bible is how practical it can be. In this case, if we spend time thinking about what is true, noble, right, pure, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy we have less time to think about all of the bad stuff that can overwhelm us. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that we should ignore what is going on in our lives and in our world. There are real issues that we need to address. It would be good for us to remember that Paul’s instructions to think about good things were given in an environment of strife and anxiety. We aren’t instructed to ignore the bad stuff. We just want to balance all the bad by remembering the good stuff. Especially if we believe that “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” (James 1:17) When we do, I believe we can keep things in balance and avoid the sense of “crazy” that overwhelms us.
Naturally, as with many things, this might be easier said than done. The reality is that some of us have a tendency toward positive while others have a tendency to be more negative. Shocking I know! You never would have thought. So, while we all need help being more positive, some of us (true confession time – like me) need more help than others.
So, what do we practically do to think about the positive? Well, maybe you actually want to keep a journal. Daily, weekly, as the thought strikes, whenever, actually write down the positive things. There are plenty of them out there. Is it an answered prayer today? The wonder of the family that loves you? An owl perched in your backyard tree? Waking up next to a woman who has put up with you for thirty-five years? Those are some of mine on this very day. Your “good things” may be similar. Maybe they’re different. When we begin to look – when we build the habit – the good things are everywhere we look. Both the spectacular and the simple are all around us if we look. Did you wake up breathing this morning? Just being alive, that’s your first positive to think about.
Here’s another thought: Have you considered the answers to your prayers? I’ve not kept a formal prayer journal as some do but I have been in the habit of writing down prayer requests as I’ve met with friends or small groups. I’ve written down prayers both as I requested prayer and as I received prayer requests. Now, I write them down so I’ll remember, forgetful as I am, to pray about these specific things. It’s as simple as that. When I look back at my scribbled notes on note pads, in the margins of my Bible, wherever, I’m amazed. I see, while some prayers are still continuing, that others are answered—over and over. Some so simple that we might even be tempted to chalk up to circumstance or coincidence. Others are unquestionably miraculous. It is hard to not be positive when I’m reminded of the miraculous work of God.
Those are a couple ideas. What about balancing your input? At the suggestion of a friend, I took a twenty-one day fast from news recently. Again, I’m not saying we ignore what’s going on in the world but let’s find balance. News media can seem so overwhelmingly negative. What happened when I fasted? I felt noticeably more positive. It helped that I filled the gap with positive stuff, like sermon podcasts etc. Now, I keep up with the news and events, and I believe whole-heartedly in fulfilling our civil responsibilities, but I’ve tried to have more balance.
Ok. Are you ready for one more practical suggestion for being more positive? Read your Bible more. Yep. Simple but true. The closer we draw to God by understanding Him though His scripture the more positive we will be. I just can’t avoid that simple truth.
It’s a good thing to talk about suggestions and tools to help us think about the positive, which, as a consequence makes us more positive people. That’s all very helpful. However, when all is said and done, if we are believers, the reality is that we have much more to be positive about than we have to worry about. We just have to remember that. No matter how crazy the world seems. No matter if the world seems to be “going to hell in a handbasket.” No matter how bad our personal situation is. Our reasons to be positive outweigh everything else. Everything we face here pales in significance to what we have to gain in Jesus. The Apostle Peter says it like this:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade–kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” (1 Peter 1:3-6)
Wow! What an amazing reminder. It is really pretty simple. We just need to choose. We can concentrate on all the bad in the world and in our lives or we can make hope our focus. Peter does not deny that there is rotten, terrible stuff going on in the world. The people he is writing to “suffer grief in all kinds of trials” but he reminds them it is “only for a little while.” In the midst of the difficulty Peter gives them, and us, a way to look beyond the grief. He reminds them of their hope. A hope “kept in heaven for you.” Whatever the difficulties in our world or our personal lives, our hope is in Jesus.
Should we be so focused on our heavenly future that we become no earthly good? Some might say that is the danger. Not at all. When we balance our hope with a desire to impact the world only good can come from it. It is balance that we must seek. We can’t ignore the world because we want the world, every corner and every individual, to experience our hope. The danger comes when we get distracted by the “crazy” and it obscures our hope and purpose. In the end, if we are positive, hopeful people, we are better equipped to help solve the problems in our world.
Dave Foucar has a passion for teaching God’s word and has led Sunday School, Bible Studies, and Small Groups of all ages. He has served as a supply preacher and has been a lead speaker and seminar leader at Couples Retreats, Men’s Retreats, and Family and Youth Camps. David’s first book, “What Do I Say When Asked About Jesus?” is a conversational approach to helping people answer questions about Jesus. The book provides a layman’s perspective on personal evangelism and the basics of the Christian faith. “What Do I Say When Asked about Jesus?” gives the average Christian tools to help share about Jesus while increasing confidence in their own faith. Dave has been married for thirty-six years to the love of his life, Debbie. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters. Follow Dave on Substack
Feature Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
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