How Can Unpleasant Negative Thoughts Be Managed?

 I recently visited a large home center to purchase an item common to every household. The first person I asked for help sent me in the wrong direction. The next one asked another employee, who was willing to guess but didn’t actually know. Needless to say, unpleasant thoughts were beginning to accumulate.

Regardless of what provokes frustration, it’s incredibly important to consider the impact words and nonverbal communication have long after someone has experienced disappointment. Frustration is a natural consequence of failure, even while struggling to remain at peace within oneself.

It’s not uncommon to encounter frustration in the family or at family gatherings when stress surfaces that's been residing below a person’s consciousness. So it’s important to elevate patience to the top of each person’s priority list. Remember, “God will keep in perfect peace those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord.” 

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So always trust the Lord because he is forever your mighty rock.

~Isaiah 26:4 Contemporary English Version

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A View of Hope for the Future

Disappointments produce a wide range of responses from mild displeasure to despondency. The depth of negative reactions is measured by the degree of hope that is felt. Although God became disappointed with the people for their proclivity for sin and moral failure, he never gave up on them.

While Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land, this disappointment did not destroy his hope and faith in God. As he viewed the Promised Land from across the Jordan River, he was pleased God had permitted him to see its beauty and promise. Even in death Moses believed his future was good.

He knew he had finished his race in good standing. God's word testifies: "No prophet has risen in Israel like Moses whom God knew face to face. No one has ever shown the mighty power of God or performed the deeds Moses did in the sight of Israel.” Moses’ hope for the present and future was in the Lord God. This can be your hope.  

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You, [Lord,] will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.

~Isaiah 26:3-4 New International Version

 

… Always honor the Lord. Then you will truly have hope for the future.

~Proverbs 23:17-18 Contemporary English Version

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Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

Faith's Priority ~ 2020 Vision of Trust in God

Do you believe on this New Year's Day that the new year can offer a fresh start for your life? If so, have you promised to make lifestyle changes to ensure that a fresh start has a chance for success? Your fresh start has a chance for a positive outcome and success provided you inaugurate Christian faith’s priorities into the action to be taken. 

What do Christian faith’s priorities include? Trusting in God to give you wisdom to choose what to include in your fresh start will determine if your journey will be successful. Trust is essential for activating faith that keeps you on the path when the way grows narrow and distractions abound.

What is an essential faith priority that holds you steady when the way becomes filled with obstacles? Essential is a heartfelt belief that the presence of God will keep you from falling away or giving up when it’s impossible to see what lies ahead. God promises never to leave or abandon you regardless of what you encounter, so keep pressing onward. God keeps his promises.  Happy New Year! 

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Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

~Psalm 143:8 New International Version

You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you.

Trust in the Lord forever; he will always protect us.

~Isaiah 26:3-4 Good News Bible