We all experience hardships, maybe not to the degree of Columbine, nonetheless, we do experience difficulties in life. They arrive in many shapes and sizes: a negative report from a doctor, a spouse who is no longer in love, a sick loved one we must care for, or even a conflict with a family member or friend. The list goes on and on, and I'm sure you can relate.
How you choose to deal with the negative that comes into your life is completely up to you. However, it takes a reprogramming of sorts to go through difficult situations as victors and not victims. This may take time, and it usually does, but it can be accomplished.
"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it."
--Helen Keller
(Ms. Keller was sight, hearing and speech impaired, yet overcame those debilitating obstacles.)
So, how do you make the transition from negative to positive thinking, and view yourself as a victor rather than a victim? Here are a few suggestions:
- Ask God to help change your outlook and guide you into a habit of positive thinking.
- Visualize succeeding in the particular challenge you are facing. The more you visualize success, the more you will believe in a positive outcome, which will result in one.
- Avoid dwelling on and speaking about the negative situation you are going through. Instead speak words of hope. You will be amazed at how good you feel when you speak words of life, rather than doom and gloom.
- Read and meditate on encouraging Bible passages. Psalms is a great place to start. However, many encouraging verses can be found with an online search.
"But no matter what comes, we will always taste victory through Him who loved us." --Romans 8:37 The Voice
--Beth Brandt
