To Be Positive Is Better

I believe, in general, it is good and important to be positive. Over the years, I have discovered there is research in the field of psychology which confirms this is true. However, my understanding that being positive is a good thing is much more simple than that. It is based on the straightforward idea that having a primarily negative attitude throughout the course of life would be a miserable way to live. And in the end the negative person will look back and see that he/she has experienced a sad and sorry life.

(By the way, I have encountered a few people along this journey who have provided confirmation of this truth with their negative misery.)

My belief that being positive is good and important does not mean I am unwilling to recognize there are ugly, bad, evil, tragic, frustrating and sad things that occur. Of course I realize terrible things happen. No one is immune from this aspect of life.

But even though bad things occur I still believe we can choose to seek solutions and, because of the wonderful truth of God’s grace and mercy, attempt to focus on what is good. It may be that we seek the good even as the tears are flowing. But for the sake of my life and, frankly, for the sake of my own sanity I want to seek and find the good. It is not always easy to do this, and I have not always succeeded in this attempt, but I believe it is worth it.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8