Why does negative energy seem to speak louder in our lives? Think about it. You can be having a great day, feeling really good and that one person can raise their eye brows at you and you begin second guessing everything.
I am blessed to teach at a wonderful gym and I truly consider class members like extended family. The support that I receive as an instructor is amazing. Recently though, I found myself distracted by a couple of people who were dissatisfied with class; rather than focusing on the positive majority sweating it out in front of me.
Or how about your social media? You can have a couple dozen likes and several positive comments; but, have you ever found yourself focusing on that one person who never likes your stuff? You make sure you generously like their posts; but can’t get any love back. Please tell me that I am not alone in this folks?
Well ya’ll, it is called negativity bias, a form of cognitive bias which causes humans to subconsciously place more significance on negative events than positive ones, affecting behavior and cognition.* In other words, the struggle is real.
Thankfully, we have freedom from this bias in Christ! We can shift our focus from the negative to God’s truth for our lives. And God is not biased. He loves us the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. You are His favorite! And so am I! His Word provides a daily boost of positive energy, goodness, love, hope and faith!
But, I would be remiss if I didn’t take a closer look at this issue of flesh. It seems to me when it comes to negative bias it is a basic issue of focus. Who am I trying to please? The world? Or Jesus? Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Matthew 16:24-26 NIV
So, the next time you find yourself focusing on the negative, stop and reflect on God’s truth for your life. Oh how He loves you. And He wants to be your source of love and light every day. Let Him speak life into your soul! Then, walk in His way, His truth and His light.
Be hopeful!
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV
*What is Negativity Bias at whatis.com, Margaret Rouse
Love, Faith and an Angel Dog 