“I hate my job”, “I’ll never be able to lose weight”, “I’m always messing up”, all of these things affect our thinking in a negative way. They can leave us in a bad mood, make us feel down, depressed, and even hopeless. Yes, I understand we can’t be happy all the time. I know that it’s healthy to feel all emotions. If you didn’t you wouldn’t be normal. We all have these thoughts from time to time, but when negativity becomes our life, when it defines who we are, there is a problem. We need a personal trainer of sorts. Someone to help us improve our mental, physical, and spiritual thinking and her name is positivity. Here are three exercises you can do to improve your health…
- Think Positive Thoughts
I know this sounds pretty straightforward, but when it comes to how we think, it can affect our lives deeply. Paul tells the Christians in Philippi,
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.”
Philippians 4:8 NKJV
This verse tells us to think on anything that would be worth commending or worthy of praise. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone say about a negative comment, “Way to go! That was a very admirable thing you said.” In fact, I believe that negative comments can make people think just the opposite, “That person complains all the time”, or “Why is she so upset about everything that happens in her life?” As Christians, it is our job to be the shining light that God told us to be.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 NKJV
How are we going to be a shining light if we are constantly negative? Here are some ways to improve your positive thinking…
| Negative Self-Talk | Positive Thinking |
| I’ve never done it before. | It’s an opportunity to learn something new. |
| It’s too complicated. | I’ll tackle it from a new angle. |
| I’m too lazy to get this done. | I couldn’t fit it into my schedule, but I can re-examine some priorities. |
| There’s no way it will work. | I can try to make this work. |
| I’m not going to get any better at this. | I’ll give it another try. |
Let’s put these things into practice and hopefully become a more positive person by it.
2. Do Things You Enjoy
Whether it be reading a book, exercising, or spending time with family, do something you love to do. Hobbies can improve your mental health (“Purposeful activity-hobbies”). When you improve your mental health, you improve your physical health as well (“Positive thinking”).
3. Be Thankful
There are so many things to be thankful for in this life that often get overshadowed by the negative thoughts we have. God has blessed us beyond measure! Make a list of some things for which you can be thankful. Challenge yourself throughout the day by trying to come up with a reason to be thankful for the bad things that have happened. Being thankful doesn’t require good things. The difficult situations we go through, help us grow. Be thankful for the growth that you’ve experienced. Most importantly, we must be thankful for the gift of God’s Son and the wonderful gift of eternal life if we’re faithful. Matthew 5:11,12 says,
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:11,12 NKJV
As a Christian, you are a part of God’s kingdom, which means you’re on your way to Heaven. We should rejoice and be glad even when life is tough because we have God and His promises.
“Just because it’s cloudy, doesn’t mean the sun isn’t there.” I came up with this one day and after telling my boyfriend about it, he came up with an alternative meaning to it, “Just because it’s cloudy, doesn’t mean the SON isn’t there.” In everything we go through, we have God. Talk to Him about it. Study His Word. Humble yourself and give it to God and He will take care of it.
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 NKJV
Works Cited
“Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress.” mayoclinic.org, 03 Feb. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950
“Purposeful activity-hobbies.” headtohealth.gov.au, 29 September 2022, https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/meaningful-life/purposeful-activity/hobbies
