In a world filled with so many troubling and disheartening events, it is hard to maintain a strong and positive outlook. These reports bear a lot of fruit into our lives which then transfers through us into the lives of those whom we are in contact with.
In a world of so much trouble and fear, the believer in Jesus Christ needs to rely upon the statement which He made, “In this world you will have many troubles, but be of good cheer (positive cheer) for I have overcome the world.” This spirit of surety must be prevalent in the believer’s life and testimony both through application and sharing with others. I am not talking about a self-psyching emotional pep talk, such as the power of positive thinking, but an attitude of heart based upon the fact that God is in control. This type of thought and reality must be used to encourage and edify those around us. The word edify refers to the building up the structure of one another’s life. Living in the negativity of this world and allowing it to control how we respond to others will never fulfill the command of building up one another.
Based upon Philippians 4:1-9 with the instruction of those things which we are to think upon and the instruction to change our thinking process gave birth to “The Positive Challenge”. Here is the essence of the challenge:
The Positive Challenge
I therefore pledge, for the next 30 days I will, by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, not say or do anything that would be negative either to or about anyone. I will put into practice Philippians 4:4-9 each day. Further, I will each week do at least one positive action toward someone whom is a stranger or I have had trouble with either currently or in the past.
I further allow people to hold me accountable to the above pledge.
Are you up to this challenge? What would the results be in your, mine, and other lives if we accept this challenge? How would it spread from person to person, or would it? What do we have to lose other than 30 days of being negative?
“Do something for somebody everyday for which you do not get paid.”--Schweitzer
