Negativity is a poison. We innocently pour it into conversations - infecting our friends and neighbors.
We’re just letting off some steam.
We feel the need to say something. (about everything)
We’re not trying to complain, but...
Excuses.
When we are critical of someone else, their beliefs or their lifestyle, we automatically assume we are infallible. There are times we may be right. When the Bible tells us in no uncertain terms how we are to live and we see someone living outside that walk, we should say something. We are to keep each other accountable.
But this is the catch - we don’t do so lovingly. We are so completely full of ourselves that we wrap ourselves in our pride and condescendingly pronounce judgment on people we believe to be beneath us. We don’t really want for the change in the other person - we just want them to know how awful they are.
Within the boundaries of my faith, there are a lot of things in life that I may not enjoy. We all have preferences. But is there really any point in complaining about other people’s preferences if there truly is nothing "wrong" with them? Okay, so maybe it isn’t what we would choose. So what?
My main problem with complaining is this - the thing we are complaining about is 100% of the time something that is entirely in our control. We just choose to remain under the spell of negativity. And it isn’t enough to foster that spirit - we spread it like a disease to those around us - hoping they too will share in our misery. It becomes habitual. It becomes expected.
I’ve been around a few people who have not fallen victim to this spell. Even if something goes horribly wrong in their lives, they focus on the positive. They fill you with hope. You feel uplifted by just being near them. Its beautiful. Its warm. Its life-giving. And really, isn’t that what we all long to be?
7 comments:
So are you tring to say something to someone with out confronting them? or are these just random thoughts that you have of people you know. if you have a problem with someone confront them don't write about them behind their backs.
But seriously though, isn't Jeremy Camp hot?
No, its really no one person in particular that I am thinking of. It is more a general observation I have made in my day-to-day life. And it is something that bothers me a lot. It makes me sad. I know we can't go through life thinking everything is beautiful and perfect and wonderful all the time, but I also don't believe God calls us to be harsh, critical and negative. Some situations justify honest criticism. But even when that has occurred, no love was shown.
To anonymous 2 - yes, Jeremy Camp is a nice looking guy. However, he is not NEARLY as tall as you would think. He can't be more than 5'9". I also liked his hair better when he spiked it.
yeah i know i'm hot
it is also easy to see the speck in our neighbors eye but not see the plank in our own.
Interesting comment cousin vinny. Clearly I have offended you somehow and you have decided I am aiming this post at you. I understand you think I am chewing you out on my blog - but sadly you are truly mistaken. I never claimed to be perfect. I know I make mistakes and I absolutely have my negative days as well. But I am working really hard on it and I strive every day to be thankful for what God has placed in my life - good and bad. I'm sorry that offends you so much.
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