08/16/14 ADDRESSING NEGATIVITY IS NOT BEING NEGATIVE

08/16/14 ADDRESSING NEGATIVITY IS NOT BEING NEGATIVE

Sometimes we share thoughts or feelings through a post, but it does not get a response, which almost makes us wonder if anyone reads or cares about what we say. Here are THREE quick thoughts I have about posting.

My posts and comments should please God. This is true with all of life and with all of our communications, but it is especially true with our written words. Since they linger longer and are easily accessed, and on the internet, they impact a wider audience, maybe for a longer period of time. This means they should be positive and not negative.
Now, I know some of you are thinking that I share a lot of things that are negative. I do address negative issues, but I am trying to turn our attention to the One Who is above all of our negative encounters. I try to share the answer to the problems that surround us.

My posts and comments should help others. This can be informational, inspirational, relational. Even if what we say is unpopular or is not PC, it should lift others, rather than trample them down. Anyone can be a stumbling block, we should be stepping stones. As a preacher, I address some really bad problems in life, but it is with the intent of pointing folks to the right answer, as seen in the Scriptures.

My posts and comments should not be the "airing of dirty laundry," whether mine or someone else's. I should not whine and cry or be ugly. One negative, selfish post can cancel the good of anything good we may say. Some people are always looking for your weaknesses and failures, but that does not mean we should accommodate them. Why would I want to present things about myself that contradicts the grace of God? My problems do not glorify God or help others. Only when we recognize His power over our problems are people truly lifted-up. Even if I am having personal issues, I need share them with God, not everyone else, because only God can help me and also because others may either stumble over my words or use those momentary lapses (which last "forever" on the internet) against me and my message of hope, deliverance and love. For me to focus on my moments of trial does not really tell about the life of victory that God is giving me. Why should I let a "snapshot" of difficulty be imprinted on someone's mind, when my life is action packed with overcoming victory.

(BTW) If your life is more dark than light, you need to draw near to God. Until we are facing the problems that are being faced by Christians under Islamic persecution, or we are suffering a painful disease, or we are totally destitute in this world, then we have nothing to complain about. Even then, there is no reason for complaining, because God is greater than any problem we face.