Transparent Christian Magazine

Over the last few years, I have developed some great mentors. Some of them are the authors for Transparent, some are family members, and others have just showed up, seemingly out of nowhere, to breathe truthful advice into my life. (Thank you by the way).

A month or so ago, I reached out to one of those mentors and asked for some help. I was frustrated with some things… It was the same old junk really, not enough money, my weight, worrying about family, job stress.

I said, “You seem to be walking on air lately. What’s your secret to staying so positive ALL the time?”

His response was quick.

He said that he has learned to notice negativity and negative energy when it approaches. He was referring to buzz-killers like temptation, depression, frustration, anger, loneliness and anxiety. We talked about how Satan loves to steal our joy, kill our desires, and destroy our self esteem any chance he gets.

He told me, “Jason, when I notice negativity, I’ll identify it out loud… I’ll say something like, ‘I see you, and I won’t allow you to invade my heart and mind.’ Then, I’ll pray, ask God for strength, and many times physically remove myself from situations or people that help facilitate those negative feelings.”

He then said he feeds his mind with “thoughts of God.” He reads the bible and spiritual books, attends church, has some great mentors himself, and listens to music and watches many shows that are positive, or spiritual in nature.

This doesn’t mean that he only views Kirk Cameron movies, ONLY listens to the Praise and Worship channel, or ONLY hangs with Christians, and never has trials; he just makes it a priority to ‘offset’ any negativity with the positivity of God and God’s Word.

So, I tried it.

If I listened to secular music, (and some of my favorite music IS secular) I would offset that with a similar amount of Christian music (I know, sounds weird). If I was having a rough time, I would identify it (either out loud or internally) and pray against it. I have been reading the bible a little every day, even if it’s just a 30 second quote and a verse from my friend Everton who writes “Today’s Good Word”.

Example:
Delivered…for most is many but many is not most….

Mark 2:4

And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

(You can sign up for his daily e-mail here).

I make sure I’m praying for people and my family every day. Overall, I just decided to have a more conscious attitude about prayer and a more direct anti-negativity mindset.

It has really made a difference in my life lately. If I spoke “Christian-ese” I would say that I’ve felt the daily‘favor of God’… But because that’s not my vernacular, I’ll just say that overall my life has been much more positive during the last 5 weeks. I feel better about myself, and have felt my confidence increase. I have a lower stress level and I am more hopeful right now than I have been in years… and there are other great things happening.

• I’m having a record sales month at work.
• I’m connecting with my children in awesome and wonderful ways.
• Shelli is trying some alternative approaches to her back situation and we’re both excited about it.
• I had a couple of discussions with a published author regarding some upcoming collaborative writing projects.
• I found some extra money (almost literally).

I am WELL aware that negative things happen, but I’m much less likely to absorb these things right now. Another friend of mine refers to this process ‘lifting spiritual weights’ so your ’spiritual muscles are ripped up and running marathons.’ (Now if I can just get my body to be doing the same thing!)

I’m so thankful that I had someone to reach out to, that would give me some advice, and was willing to tell me his secrets.  I hope this revelation blesses you in some way.

Love,
Jason