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If we are going to talk about having and keeping a
positive attitude, we must first make a clear distinction between
thinking positive and the Positive Thinking Movement. The former is
fully supported by the Word of God. That is, thinking in the positive
and having a positive attitude is supported and encouraged by God
through scripture. The Positive Thinking Movement is a pull yourself up
by your bootstraps philosophy.
I, in no way, support anything to do with the Positive Thinking
Movement, sometimes referred to as "positive psychology." I
support, fully, the biblical idea of having a positive attitude and
thinking positive thoughts. A problem arises due to the fact that
both camps use the same jargon and techniques. This can lead to
confusion on the part of the viewer interpreting which element you hold
and practice.
The Bible is full of admonitions to think on positive things and
therefore have a positive attitude. Following are just some of
these admonitions from your Bible.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the
bones.
Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Matthew 15:11
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which
cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Ephesians 4:31-32
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil
speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Matthew 21:22
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall
receive.
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Hebrews 13:5
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with
such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear
what man shall do unto me.
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it
shall eat the fruit thereof.
Matthew 12:33-37
33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree
corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things?
for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good
things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil
things.
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they
shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt
be condemned.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it
be afraid.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought
to the obedience of Christ.
This last verse, I believe, says it best. Bring into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ. Since the Bible is the
mind of God and Christ, all positive subjects and thoughts in those
scriptures should be ours.
Let me answer the question specifically. To have a positive
attitude, immerse yourself into the Word of God. To keep it, stay
immersed in the Word of God. In addition, find secular sources
that speak to the subject. Following are three videos that do.
Zig Ziglar - Attitude
Makes All the Difference 9:28
Jack Canfield: Create
Your Attitude 1:17
10 Ways a Positive
Attitude Can Help You Win 2:24
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