8 days ago, I made this simple commitment. It’s changed my life.
It’s opened my eyes to the fact that I say a lot more negative words than I realized I did. So I’ve talked a lot less — which isn’t a bad thing. 😉
It’s also shown me that I spend a lot of time thinking negative thoughts or stressing over what appears to be a negative situation or purporting a negative perspective on a situation. This does nothing but waste time and cause discouragement. I’ve had a lot more brain space freed up because I’m refusing to dwell on negative thoughts.
I’ve been a whole lot happier because my focus is on the beautiful, wonderful, positive things in life. And I’m finding that I love life a whole lot more when I focus on those!
Thanks for sharing this personal story and challenge for us, too! I am deeply challenged (and convicted?), about my speech, as although I tend to appear to be a “positive” person, in reality I tend more towards being melancholy and if I’m not careful, negative. (I guess the introverted part of my “ambivert” personality wins out when I’m in public, making be appear more positive than I often feel.
I do need to work on this area (I have been, too), as being negative in attitude and speech flies in the face of all I believe as a Christian. Not only that, but it just stinks in general!
Thanks so much for being willing to share with us!
Crystal, this post was SO timely for me! I have been doing an intensive study of the book of Ephesians, and have recently been so convicted of the Lord of my careless speech regarding others.
Ephesians 4:29–5:4 are especially insightful. In particular, this verse has really been ministering to me:
Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
And I laughed out loud when I read that you aren’t talking as much! It was a sobering thought when I realized I didn’t have nearly as much to say if I wasn’t sharing some negative opinion. ?
I’m generally a very chatty and exuberant person, and I was telling the Lord that people are going to think something is wrong with me. What am I going to say LOL? Eph 5:4 shed some light on this – after listing all the yucky stuff, it says, “but rather giving of thanks”. So the next time I’m tempted to speak something that is corrupt (I’m thinking that to be the opposite of life-giving), I will choose to speak a word of thanks.
And all of this BECAUSE we are His dear children (5:1). Thanks again for sharing Crystal. Perhaps we can start a revolution of words – building up, not tearing down. Blessings!
I’m so glad it inspired you! Thank you so much for kind encouragement!
Yes! My husband and I made that commitment last year, and it’s been incredible what God has taught us during this time about how judgmental we can be. Such a wonderful lesson in prayer too. Glad you are taking this step. The Lord will teach you so many wonderful things through this experience. Good luck. 🙂
For those who requested a bible verse, but with warning….
Philippians 4:8…
“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.”
Warning…
This bible verse can be misinterpreted and projected towards others in a unloving way, so we must be careful. I use to worship multiple religions. New Age, Buddhism, etc… to find the path to the one true God. These other religions believe the same about positive thinking. What sets us Christians apart from many of the other religions, in this area of positive thinking, is that we don’t tell a person who has serious past hurts (e.g. a son who has died over a decade ago) to “suck it up” and just think happy thoughts. A true Christian loves others in times of deep hurts/needs. I learned this from a leader in the area of Apologetics, Craig Hazen from Biola University.
YES! Such a good word… and I definitely think there is a time and a place when we should share the hard and the hurtful with safe, trusted people. My commitment is not necessarily for all the rest of time or in all situations. It’s just a commitment I made for right now, for this season.
Wow! Advice can’t get anymore frugal than this, and it’s a great inspiration to me. I hope you will repost this periodically because it’s the best way to begin living a frugal lifestyle. Also, almost all of us can use the reminder.
Hi Crystal, I was wondering if there was a certain scripture or another resource that encouraged you to make this commitment. Thank you for sharing this! This seems to be a tough commitment for me, but I know with God all things are possible!
I love the idea that we can choose our focus, and thus choose the nature of our day. Fantastic!
I wrote about it here: http://everydayintentionalliving.com/thought-day-muir/
Well said! I think everyone struggles with this from time to time.
“In the abundance of words there does not fail to be transgression.” – one of my favorites. I like this challenge and just may copy it! I’ve been finding myself sharing too much negative news lately. There is so much evil in this world, so much violence, injustice. We know it’s there but we don’t have to parrot it. #comeLordJesus
I love this and it’s so true!!
Oh, why didn’t I read this this morning?!? Good for you, and thanks. 🙂
A very worthy commitment Crystal and one I think I’ll try more often. I think the world would be a happier place if we all tried this!
Thank you, that is AWESOME!
Thanks so much for the reminder! I am pretty sure this is biblical and there is a verse that speaks to grumbling and complaining. I need to get this in focus as I prepare for my first mission trip to the DR in 2 weeks as well as a week long reunion with my husband’s family in July! This way of thinking will make everything go so much better, not sure why we get sucked into negativity.
This is great! I am pretty sure it is biblical too and something we all should be striving for. There is a verse about grumbling and complaining. Thanks for the reminder! I needed it. I am going on a mission’s trip in a few weeks and in July will be at a week long reunion with my husband’s family. Practicing this will be so helpful!