Staying positive

Positive people are usually more confident. They are less inclined to focus on problems in their life. If they have trust that all will be well they will avoid becoming worried.

So what makes us worry?

That seems to be a silly question. We are all different and have our own issues that cause us to worry. But let’s think about it in more general terms. We all have things in life that we value. Any threat to those things is cause for worry.

If we are focussed on ourselves, our possessions and our family that is what we value. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that. Of course we should care about such things but we should add to that list. We should also care about others and that is reflected in what Jesus taught.

The first great commandment is, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

So it would seem that if we do this we take on everyone’s worries. That would be stressful so it’s better to simply have concern. Worry causes stress but having concern for others is uplifting. Like the pay it forward movement it spreads goodness in the world.

Trust in Jesus

By recognising that we can cope with our worries by trust in Jesus we can let go of what causes us distress. It doesn’t mean that we will no longer have difficult issues to deal with. It just means that we are able to cope with life’s trials and tribulations in a much better way. We can detach from our worries by accepting that they are “of this world” and we have a better destiny that is not of the world.

Matthew 6:19-20 – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Avoiding worry

In my blog titled “Our awareness” I discussed the importance of having a positive mindset. I also suggested that there was a need to maintain some balance between positive and negative awareness. Being blind to the negative impacts of our own, and others, behaviour  would not be desirable. After all, awareness of things brings about the impetus for change.

I know and have met many people who stress the importance of being positive. They enjoy life and are focussed entirely on themselves. Their attitude is, “why should I worry about other peoples problems; they only have themselves to blame”.

I agree with the suggestion that we should not worry about other people’s problems. Worrying about things is not appropriate. It only makes us anxious. But being selfish and not offering to comfort and assist others in need is not a good characteristic.

Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:4 – Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Don’t worry, be happy

That’s a song title and it’s repeated many times in the lyrics. It’s a simple reminder not to focus on the negative aspects of life. It is, I believe, a song with good intentions. But I also believe that there is more to life than this.

Worrying about things only adds to our problems. I support the view that we shouldn’t worry but, although I am normally happy, I don’t think that we should be happy about bad things in life. My view is that we should use humour when faced with worrisome situations. We should laugh in the face of adversity.

In fact, the only assured way of dealing effectively with our worries is to place our trust in God. If we do that we offload our worry and that should make us happy.

Psalm 56:3-4 – When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?

Psalm 55:22 – Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.