On Being Positive

There are two ways to understand this characteristic. Let’s consider both.

“Being positive” can mean “being absolutely sure about something.”

When you are absolutely sure about something, be kind.  If you know you are right about something and someone else is wrong, be gentle.  Be humble.  Ephesians 4:15 teaches, “Speak the truth in love.”

When you are absolutely sure about something, be bold.  Even if there are detractors or doubters, act on what you know to be true.  James 4:17 says, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

When you are NOT absolutely sure about something, be prayerful. There are all sorts of decisions to make and actions to take without all the information or certainty we would like. You cannot wait to be positive, absolutely sure, about everything before you do anything. Gather the best information you can find. Consult people you trust. Consider what scripture says. Say a prayer. Think.  And then act. Remember, we walk by faith. For all we can be positive about, lots of life’s adventure is trusting God when we are not certain about things. Ultimately, it’s then that God is God.

“Being positive” can also mean “having a spirit characterized by optimism.”

This is the spirit of the Christian. We walk in relationship with a God who can create heaven and earth. We walk in relationship with a God who raised Jesus from the dead. We walk in relationship with a God who reigns above, dwells within and promises to work all things together for our good.

How can we not be positive, optimistic, hopeful?

Sure we are realistic. We are aliens in an alien world. Among Jesus’ promises are these. “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.” (John 15:20) “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33) “There will be wars and rumors of war.”  Matthew 24:6 “The poor you will always have with you.” Life will not always be easy.

But God has greater promises that lift our spirits, control our countenances and enable us to have joyful positivity always.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? … Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? …  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8

The world, the Church, your family and the unbelievers around you need to see you positive, optimistic, hopeful. Such a demeanor gives testimony to your trust in Jesus. Such a demeanor also creates a good chance that people will ask about the hope you have within. Postitive optimism wins permission for evangelism.

Too many people are negative and pessimistic. We Christians should not be so. Because we are positive about God’s love and our eternal safety, we can be a positive influence on the people around us.