— Christian Living, Scripture Reading —

How to Deflect The Negative Attitudes of Our Upside Down World: Seeking Kindness

The world seems upside down these days. 

Things aren’t just right.

Families are fighting, relationships are breaking, and the workload has increased as politics become burdensome. When will these tense times break? When will the distasteful attitudes disperse? Will we ever see a day where peace doesn’t elude us and rest finds us home?

A few days ago I was prompted to take a negativity fast. I shrugged a bit and scoffed a lot. Alas, that was my negative response. You see, I have become exhausted in mission and thoughts. I am burdened with the world’s sin and grieving with the Lord. I cannot seem to find rest as my mind pleads for justice and mercy. Negativity has become intertwined with my hope and has really brought me down.

As I was reading through a devotion and lamenting to the Lord about how tired I have been, I saw the words: Negativity Fast- One Week. Okay, Lord, I see what you’re doing. Can we compromise? I know my attitude has much to be desired, so can I take small steps?

Three days… I agreed to these few days to take a fast.

Day one I put down my phone, prayed and prayed, and sought enjoyment in watching my children and working on some projects before I lost track of time. When I got frustrated over something, I chose not to yell but to speak of my concerns and fix the problem. I laughed a bit more and slept really well.

Day two I woke up to the world losing their minds once again in anger, accusations, and hatred. Ugliness just continues to spew out of its sinful head. Do I dare tread through it? Do I dare engage? I was angry, but felt righteous in it. Instead of my first instinct to text my mom in a complaint, I spoke to my husband, voiced my concerns to my children, sought prayer, and went right back to social media.

I didn’t fall prey to the negative thoughts. Instead, I came across a Scripture writing plan that focused on kindness. Yes, Lord, I hear you. I stopped, prayed for those who have been on my heart despite my dislike of their attitudes, and then moved forward.

I want to preach fire and brimstone against all the hatred. I want to pour out every ounce of God’s Word and call all to repentance. I want to stand on the corner with a megaphone, blowing the shofar while calling all to seek the Lord. But the Lord, He is giving me an out right now. In my lamenting, He heard my need and has given me this opportunity to rest so that my mission no longer feels futile and so I can see His goodness through the trials of life.

Let us start with our speech. If someone is being rude to me or my loved ones, I can defend myself without sinning or with an attitude counter to my goal. I encourage you to join me with truly grabbing on to the following Scripture:

Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
We can do well to turn away from the temptation to bring people down because they do not agree with us or act counter to Godly living. The thing is, we need to remember that unless we are dealing with fellow followers of Christ, their attitudes will typically not align with ours. By keeping our talk authentic yet firm, we can be a light for Jesus despite anger and hostility.
James 3:17-18
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Life is tough. The Lord didn’t promise ease. He promised eternity. We need to be kingdom minded and use our witness in love. We should never set out to hurt others or to walk our paths with habitual skepticism.
We can make it through when we rely on the Lord and His goodness. He allows for us to bring our burdens to Him. His load is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
If you are looking for a few verses that reflect kindness, please check out the following Scripture:
Proverbs 3:3-6
Proverbs 11:16-17
Proverbs 22:11
Micah 6:8
Romans 12:9-21
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Galatians 5:22-26
Ephesians 4:29-32
Philippians 2:1-18
Colossians 3:12-17
1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
James 3:17-18
2 Peter 1:5-8
1 John 3:16-24

7 thoughts on “How to Deflect The Negative Attitudes of Our Upside Down World: Seeking Kindness”

  1. It’s truly a matter of choice, isn’t it? I’m choosing to list all my thankfuls for the day before at the beginning of my QT. It’s helping and I know it pleases God. I’m quite outspoken to Him and He can handle it but I’m sure He’s happy that I’m starting w/ a good list of good!

  2. Thank you, Maryann for this timely post. I love the idea of a negativity fast! Indeed seeking kindness and filling our minds with scripture can keep our own negativity in check. “A soft answer turns away anger”.

  3. Second try…my first comment faile to post. Hope it doesn’t duplicate.

    There’s so much of the negative
    embraced by self-brought blindess;
    could we open eyes, and live
    the crying need for kindness?
    The earth speeds madly in a gyre
    of anger and of hate,
    toward the ever-hungry fire;
    can it be all too late?
    Or can our prayers build energy
    to stop the wayward spin?
    Can we unite in synergy,
    and then, perhaps, can win
    a world of faith and love and praise
    from these very worst of days?

  4. There’s so much of the negative
    embraced by self-brought blindess;
    could we open eyes, and live
    the crying need for kindness?
    The earth speeds madly in a gyre
    of anger and of hate,
    toward the ever-hungry fire;
    can it be all too late?
    Or can our prayers build energy
    to stop the wayward spin?
    Can we unite in synergy,
    and then, perhaps, can win
    a world of faith and love and praise
    from these very worst of days?

  5. I will come and join you blowing that megaphone from our corners. There is such going on in the world currently thankfully God is in control even when we are too numb to see it and feel it. I think many of us relate to you post. God bless visiting from fmf #4

  6. I agree, we need a global attitude adjustment. When I find myself going negative I go to Philippians 4:8-9 for a personal attitude adjustment. Look for the good and dwell on it.
    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. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. NIV

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