Negativity

Negativity is something that plagues our society to the point that no one even seems to notice anymore. It's really kind of sad. 

It has become a way of life for people. Just look through the majority of social media interactions. Nine times out of ten, someone is complaining about something, whether they are being serious, sarcastic, or joking.

What I have realized is that many of the people who are complaining the most, are the ones who should be the most thankful.

Visualize this:

You live in a world of black and white. There are no colors. 

Everything, including yourself, is black and white. Literally.

One day as you're taking a walk, you see a flower that is bright yellow. You don't generally deal with life in color because everything is black and white. You don't know how to handle this.

You take the flower home and it becomes all you can talk about; all you can focus on. 

The beauty of this colorful flower in a world of black and white.

That is similar to how and why so many people are constantly focusing on the bad things in life. Because, if they were honest with themselves, life isn't too bad. It's pretty great actually. So when something doesn't go your way or doesn't work out as planned, you complain. You focus on it. You dwell on it. It is all you can talk about or think about because you aren't use to having to deal with such setbacks. 

Don't be the person always focusing on the negative. Don't be that spoiled kid who can only talk about the things that aren't going their way, when in reality, they have so many other things they could be thankful for. 

This applies to family situations. So many teens have to deal with ridiculous family situations. There is so much unseen pain in the world. So many teens are hurting everyday, wishing they could live in a "normal" family. Don't be that teen in the somewhat normal family (because no family is completely "normal") who complains when your parents don't let you do everything you want. Don't let the one frustrating setback consume your thoughts and energy. 

Philippians 4:8-9 ...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

God commands us to think about the positive, rather than focusing on the negative. He also says that if we practice what we've learned from him, His peace will be with us. No need to worry and stress about negative things if you have the peace of God. 

So try adjusting your thoughts. Try making a habit out of positive thinking. It will overall make you a happier person and you'll feel much better when setbacks in life do come.