Positive vs. Negative

Hey everybody:

I've been thinking and Jane always says that's VERY dangerous! No really, I've been thinking... and I'm really excited about the future. Jane and I were taking our morning walk a couple of days ago and talking about the future, about plans, about ideas God' is giving me for Faith, and we just got so pumped.
Now here's what I want to talk to you about. For the last several months, we had both kind of slipped into discussing problems and challenges that were facing us...during our walks. Everyday, as we kind of dwelt on the negatives, we just felt more and more depressed about things. I don't mean "clinically depressed" I just mean "down." Well the other morning as we were discussing the positives, the plans, the vision for the future, etc. Jane turned to me and said, "It just feels so good to be talking about positive things, doesn't it?" Now here's one of the places were I can say, "Learn from my mistakes." It's so easy, even with the best of intentions, to slip into the "negative zone." It's easy to be overwhelmed by problems and difficulties. This is one of those places where the power of our speech is so evident. The book of James says that the tongue is a powerful tool, either for destruction (negative talk) or for building up (positive talk). The Bible says we have the power of life or death in what we say!
So...let me encourage you, as I encourage myself, to dwell on the promises of God, the visions He gives, and the prosperous plans He has for us individually and corporately as a church. Let's confess (remember that means to "agree with God"), let's agree with God that He has good plans for us, that we are more than victors through Christ, and that all things work together for our good and His glory.
Keep it positive, victorious, encouraging, and uplifting...when it comes to what you say. And when others try to draw the conversation the other direction, kindly offer a good word in exchange, even if that word has to be good-bye.

Pastor Rick