Are You Positive? - The One Year Father-Daughter Devotions

Are You Positive?

What do you think when you see a glass on the table filled up about halfway with milk?

If you think, Wow, that glass is half full, then you’re an optimist.

If you think, Oh, that glass is half empty, then you’re a pessimist.

If you think, Hey, my brother forgot to clear the kitchen table again! then you’re going to be a good mom. Just kidding. But seriously, how you view the world and the people around you says a lot about who you are.

Research shows that how positively you see other people is a direct reflection of how satisfied you are with your own life. When a person describes others positively, she tends to be more enthusiastic, happy, and kindhearted. On the other hand, those who perceive others negatively are more likely to be narcissistic (focused on themselves) and depressed. In other words, when you view people negatively, you may be judging yourself more than the person you’re talking about.

Jesus talked about judging others several times in the Bible. Basically, he said the same thing every time: Don’t do it. In Matthew 7:3, Jesus says, “Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” Sometimes we can get so focused on the people around us that we don’t evaluate our own lives. It’s easy to see when a fellow student is peeking at answers from another person’s test. It’s harder to notice when we do the same thing by copying a friend’s homework assignment that we forgot to do the previous night. By working on our own thoughts and actions, we can better live for Christ and show his love to others. And in the end, that effort is going to make us very positive people.

Daddy-Daughter Time

Do you struggle with negative thoughts? It’s easy to fall into a negativity trap every now and then. But researchers have proven that optimistic people outperform pessimists in all areas of life. So try to look on the bright side!

Get some paper and pens. Write down a few things that bring about negative thoughts. Now wad up that paper and throw it in the trash. When you focus on God and the good things he gives you, it’s easier to be positive. Pray and ask God to help you be positive and make a beneficial impact on the people around you.

What’s The Word?

Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?   Matthew 7:3