Philippians 2:14-15

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world:" Philippians 2:14-15

Negativity is a contagious force. It is worse than a cold or the flu. Those sicknesses of the body will run their course and begone! Negativity is a sickness of the mind. It can linger around for an unlimited amount of time. Once emitted into an environment, it can affect many and change their positive mood into a negative one.

The Negative Airborn Sickness(N.A.S.) is a regular at my place of employment. I am often the carrier of this disease. Customers, corporate office, drivers, and other office personnel influence my mood. I allow their actions to affect my positive mood. They are usually not even in a negative mood. They just happen to infringe upon my schedule, space, or sanity. This triggers the N.A.S. Irritability never leads to much uplifting and encouragement! It usually leads to bitterness and ridicule. How do we combat the bitterness?

" Do all things without murmurings and disputings" Philippians 2:14 Keep Christ in the forefront of our minds. Christ was and is ever positive. When bitterness is part of our nature, the light of Jesus in our heart is dimmed by the negative forces trying to grab a foothold. I must keep in my mind that life is not against me. God is not against me. Jesus is not against me. Our lives have a plan for them; they are to be lived for His glory and the furtherance of the Gospel. The Gospel cannot be spread with a negative attitude. Love is not capable of negativity. God is not capable of negativity. We must take our eyes off the small picture(us) and put them on the BIG picture(God).

Proper perspective is the theme. A joyous attitude is a must for the proper spreading the Gospel. Negativity is like shutters thrown on a lamp. People cannot properly view the light and love of Christ. Christ did not show negativity. His eyes were on the end of the race. They were on his Father and the Father's Will. The furtherance of the knowledge of the Glory of God was and is Christ's joy. It should and must be ours as well. Mumbling and grumbling does not promote love. Love can be just as infectious as those other two cancers. Let love and joy be your airborn contagion, for they inspire growth and happiness NOT negativity!

kenny