Avoiding the NEGATIVES of Life
by: Sandy Domelle
One of the things I hate the most is the nasty garbage can that sits in our garage. After a few days, it always stinks and by the time garbage day rolls around I am anxious to get it to the curb. There are some days the smell is just so atrocious that we leave the garage door open to air it out.
Luke 6:45 reads, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” When I read this verse, some thoughts came to my mind that I believe will be helpful to all.
How often have we heard the statement, “Garbage in, garbage out?” A good man has good treasure in his heart because he takes in the good and dwells on it. The evil man has an evil treasure because his thoughts and deeds are evil.
If I want a happy life full of good, I need to be sure that I stay in God’s Word and stay focused on the good things of life. By nature it’s so easy to look at the negatives. I have days when I need to read a little extra in God’s Word, listen to happy Christian music and pray a little more for God to have control of my mind and to help me dwell on the positives in my life. I think each of us need to be sure that we focus on not being a negative person. Even the words we choose as we talk with others can be a good treasure. When we are negative, ugly and despiteful in conversation, our words have a stench, just as garbage does.
If we aren’t careful, we will focus on the negatives of life, and when we do that we get discouraged, depressed, bitter and then that evil treasure sets in. Let me give you three things you need to do to avoid becoming the garbage can that stinks.
1. Remember that God never intended for you to be a garbage can.
Philippians 4:8 shows us what we are to take in when it says, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” When you read this verse, you realize that God wants you to think on those things that will help others. Talking or listening to anything that is contrary to this verse will make you a garbage can. God would rather you be the dispenser of praise and truth. The best way to be avoid being a garbage can is to be the person who always finds the good in every person or situation.
2. Avoid those conversations that turn you into a garbage can.
We have all found ourselves in that uncomfortable situation where the conversation turned into a gossip session. There are ways you can keep this from happening. First, avoid those people who constantly talk negative about others. We don’t need to hear about the negatives of others. We have enough we need to change about ourselves to keep us busy without having to spend time talking about others. Second, when the conversation changes into a gossip session, either change it or politely leave. If you are going to avoid becoming the garbage can, you are going to have to learn how to change a conversation when it turns into gossip. If you can’t get the conversation to change, then politely leave. There is something about a person quickly leaving when a conversation goes negative that tells the others you were not pleased with what was being said. That one action can have a convicting impact to help those who were negative to change their ways.
3. Always be the air freshener to every conversation you enter.
People love being around someone who is always happy and cheerful. Ask the LORD to help you be that person everyday. I know we all have bad days, but the LORD can still help you to be that person who brightens another’s day. Make it your daily goal to brighten the day of every person with whom you come into contact.
There are enough human garbage cans walking around without Christians adding to it. If you don’t want to have a bad attitude and have the stench of garbage, then you need to do your best to keep the garbage out of your life. Always remember that you represent the LORD, and He “went about doing good.” (Acts 10:38) If you will copy the LORD’s example of going about doing good, then you will never become like the nasty garbage can in our garage.