Avoiding the Obvious

I’ve spent more than my allotted five minutes pondering what to write in today’s blog. I’ve been under the weather for a couple days and haven’t written, but today there is so much hitting my feed that it’s tough to decide what to write about. The problem is much of what is in my feed is negative, from comments about a rap video to criticism of Harvard or calls against a convicted felon using the system for his personal gain. There’s a lot of negative coming into my world this morning.

Rather than focus on the balance of negativity hitting my feed or coming from the news, I’m going to avoid it. It’s obvious we all have plenty of negative influence from FB or the news, but that doesn’t mean I have to make that the centerpiece of my day. I can choose to get wrapped up in the negative comments and become a part of the problem, or I can choose to be part of the solution and refuse to join in the downward spiral.

You see, when I choose to engage in negative conversation, that negativity carries through to other aspects of my life. I describe myself as “jaded” by experience but that doesn’t have to continue. I can choose to avoid the obvious negative comment or barb and remain silent. I can choose to pass over a negative news article and spend my time on a positive story. I can choose to see less negativity by electing feeds with a more positive spin.

Just as negative information colors my world, positive news has a positive impact. By electing to ingest more positive news than negative, I am allowing myself to see the good over the bad which helps to improve the color of my world. Some call it seeing life through “rose colored glasses.” I call it filtering negativity out to make room for positive thoughts. In computer jargon it’s called “go-go” or garbage in, garbage out. In Christianity it’s called obeying God’s word.

“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.” (Philippians 4:8, NIV)

Paul exhorted the Philippians to think on good and noble things. In the same passage he reminded them to not be anxious; rather, to trust God in everything and let His peace transcend occurrences. Why think on noble things? Because Paul understood that negative influences can take our focus off the goodness of God which increases the distance between us and our Savior.

So here is my challenge today. Avoid the obvious. Avoid the negative. Avoid becoming part of the problem. Instead focus on God. Think on those good and noble things around you and remember that He loves you in spite of yourself. Laugh a little – even at yourself. And if you find the negative creeping in, just recall Paul’s words to the Philippians “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7, NIV)