28. April 2026
No Negativity
I have a co-worker that all she does is complain. This morning she wanted to vent about administration and how they aren’t doing their job and how they expect us to come back to school at night for awards and we don’t get paid any extra for all the evenings. It just pulls you down. I had to walk away and reframe my mind to say NO! This is a good school, I have a good job and everyone is trying their best. A 2019 study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that optimistic men and women lived 11-15% longer than those with the least positive outlook, with a greater likelihood of living to age 85. A 20-year study published in Psychological Science found that people with higher negative emotional reactivity (responding to daily stress with high negativity) had a higher risk of mortality.
We aren’t supposed to be negative. Philippians 4:8 says “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such thing.” I don’t see look at the bad, the negative, complain about everything in that verse.
Romans 12:2 (NLT) says” Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think…” We aren’t supposed to be like the world; we are to be a light on a hill. Do you know what light is? It’s hope and joy!
Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”
Good works – I don’t think negative talk and complaints fall in that category. Now, this lady isn’t a follower of Jesus – I don’t expect her to be a light to the world but I can. I tried to tell her the positive things, that we should be happy about having a job and that school ends soon and we get some time off.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”
I want to show joy and peace and light to the world. I want them to be drawn to Jesus and no one will be drawn to someone who is grumpy. The people I am drawn to usually have big smiles and lots of laughing. I believe that while Jesus was here on earth he was smiling and laughing. That shows the peace and joy of the Lord.