Stay positive in God

There are times in our lives when we go through negative experiences. Some may call it trials, some call it temptations, however it is portrayed, it is still a negative experience.

When loved ones or friends see and hear what we’re going through, most of the time they would tell us to pray, or to look on the positive side.

However when these negative experiences keep happening, even though we have prayed, do we honestly want to keep on hearing look on the positive or bright side?

No! We want results, we want breakthroughs, we want the harvest to start coming, and we want the pain to go away, immediately.

Now this may not be a typical Christian response, I should be more encouraging and positive. However what happened to being honest with ourselves; especially God?

Often times when we go through trials we are told, and are taught to smile. Let our lives be a testimony, so when people see us, they would wonder how we are going through our circumstances, stress free. Then we can preach to them the gospel. Though this is a good thing, it can also be dangerous as we are holding back on our true feelings; that need to be exposed in order for us to get released from it.

When we do complain, or tell people how we really feel about the negative things that are happening in our lives, we can be seen as being ungrateful. Not being a true Christian, not trusting God, which is why some Christians suffer in silence. Afraid of being judged, afraid of being cast out, by their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

We often see and hear terms ‘stay away from negative people’; yes if people are negative out of malicious and jealously, then it is best to stay away from these people. However there is a difference when someone is being negative out of malicious, and when someone is just generally fed up, and as Christians we need to ask God to help us to discern this.

If you’re the one going through a negative experience is it right for you to let out your feelings? Is it right for you to let God know how disappointed you are with certain issues? Yes it is! God wants to have a relationship with you, when you have a relationship with someone, aren’t you supposed to be honest with them? Yes you are.

Even King David was honest with God when he was going through his trial.

I have heard preachers state that David should have trusted God more. Well it wasn’t that he didn’t trust God, far from it. He was fed up, genuinely fed up. He couldn’t hide it anymore he had to air out his feelings, and God doesn’t want you to hide your feelings from Him. He understands, He knows, and He cares.

There are many times I myself had come to God disappointed with certain issues, I had to release certain feelings to Him.

I still felt His love, warmth, and presence. It also done me good, as I know if I had hold back on the negativity, it would do me more harm than good. In fact not exposing it to God would be an open door for the enemy and could even cause sin to manifest.

What God doesn’t want you to do is stay in the negative position. The reality is you have to push pass your negative experiences, casting your cares upon Him and keep moving forward. We have to be careful not to allow ourselves to continue being down, and make the decision to move forward without undermining how we really feel, so it all comes down to being balanced. I’m not saying you’ll feel one hundred per cent overnight, but you will feel better.

To conclude, brethren – all of us have negative experiences, sometimes these can make us stronger. Let us be honest with ourselves, most importantly God, let it out our system, on how we are feeling. Let us not stay there but push pass it, and ask for His peace, as He will work everything out and take care of us.

‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ (John 14:27)

‘Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.’ (1 Peter 5:7)

By Vanessa Grossett

Vanessa is a Literary Agent at the Authors Care Agency. She is also a columnist for the UK’s largest gospel magazine – Keep The Faith. She was born in London and raised in a Catholic home. Years after becoming a born again Christian, she published her first book called ‘Don’t Look Back – The Harmful Consequences for Backsliding’, in the year 2010. Read more of her beautiful writing here: https://www.keepthefaith.co.uk/category/columnists/vanessa-grossett/