Are you a “Negative Nellie?” Are you having a pity party today? God knows I’ve done my share of both. I have argued that the sky wasn’t blue just to be negative. I would complain just to be complaining.  Going out to eat with a Negative Nellie, going on a trip; running errands; playtime, worktime, watching TV or a movie… What a drag for a Negatve Nellie’s  companions!

The food isn’t hot enough, the meat is undercooked, the meat is overcooked, the veggies are gross. Bleh. Service is horrible. Stupid drivers, stupid road planners, too many signs, not enough signs, gas is too high, augh! pot holes. Don’t leave the vehicle running because it wastes gas. Don’t turn off the vehicle, it gets too hot. Prices are too high in the store; merchants are gouging us. It’s MY toy! It’s MY game. She’s copying my work and taking credit for what I’ve done. He’s picking on me. Life isn’t fair…. movies are stupid and the theatres are ripping us off. Idiotic TV shows. I’m broke; there’s never enough money. (Feel free to add your own comments!)

We are all guilty of complaining, and I think that it can occasionally be justified if there is a legitimate reason. What are you going to do about it? I was told once (okay, several times!) to go ahead and have my pity party for the next 5 minutes, and then MOVE ON. (Thank you, Vicki Robinson and Amy Wilson!)

“If you aren’t part of the solution, you are part of the problem.” – Chuck Robinson 

Living in a negative world is exhausting. Not only does it wear out Negatve Nellie physically, it is emotionally and spirituality taxing. It takes a definite toll on our physical bodies and manifests in headaches, ulcers, unexplainable pains, and more. Being negative separates us from God, too. It’s very difficult to praise God and worship Him, when we are wrapped up in our pity party. It brings down the people we are around. Instead of hating everything, try finding something positive to focus on. What a difference in attitude it makes!

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” – Philippians 4:8 NLT (http://bible.com/116/php.4.8.NLT)

When I find myself locking in to negativity and starting a pity party, I start constructing a gratitude list. It might seem like everything is against me, but I can promise you there is always something to be thankful for. If I just can’t bring myself to be delighted in Christ Jesus at that moment because I’m mad at Him, I can still find something to put on my list – as my friend Katy Britton says, “you can always be thankful for toilet paper.” Small, but mighty.