24. March 2026

Why am I drawn to the Negative?

1/21/26

My son was creating videos for his channel, he had thousands of positive comments, but he focused on the negative ones, wanting to defend his position.  I remembered a study I had seen that said you need at least 3 positive statements to counter a negative statement.  Why are we drawn to the negative?  We live in a world of social media where the negative gets more views, retweets, watches than the positive.  The negative stands out, why? 

Psychology tells us our Amygdala was designed to process fear and emotion.  And the reason it looks at the negative is looking for threats.  Our brain is designed to look for the threat.  When we see negative information our brain (amygdala) sends out signals that are designed to help us survive like increased vigilance and emotional arousal.  So bad news is more attention grabbing and more memorable than good news.  Of course, the media is very aware of this and by focusing on the bad it keeps us engaged.

What does God say about focusing on the bad?  Philippians 4:8 tells us “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 things.”  I don’t see negative or bad in that list. 

I think God is telling us don’t focus on the bad.  It can lead to fear, depression, anxiety and lack of faith in God.  Research shows that pessimists tend to die earlier than optimists.  The study says 15% shorter lives for those that always are looking at the bad. 

The full statement in Philippians 4 goes like this: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

God is promising peace that transcends understanding.  He says we have to guard our hearts and our minds.  We do that by Rejoicing ALWAYS and prayer. 

We sung a worship song on Sunday and in the verse it says, “Blessed be your name on the road marked with suffering, though there’s pain in the offering blessed be your name.”  I have found that if I focus on the bad in this world or the scary in this world then I don’t focus on God and I miss the beauty in front of me.  Everyday there is beauty to thank God for. 

Here is just a quick list of verses that state HOPE in the Lord, don’t focus on the bad.

1 Peter 5:7 “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Psalm 33:20 “We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.”

Psalm 42:5 “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

So even though our brain is designed to protect us God tells us to take every thought captive.  2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”