A part of being a Keeper of the Home is protecting your family.
(Proverbs 31:27)You stand at the door of your home and keep out bad things and bad people.But hopefully you also keep out bad influences and as much negativity as possible.Its challenging. Good stuff is out there. But so is the bad. I decided a long time ago that there would be certain things that would not be allowed in my home.And it doesn’t bother me if that upsets other people or not. It’s my home. It’s our safe haven.I will do my best to protect it.I work consistently at keeping out drama and negativity. Because a positive outlook is absolutely essential to effective Christian service! For me it is IMPERATIVE!
How are we to convince others that living for God is the best thing that ever happened to us while we wear frowns and talk and think negatively? You won’t!
Charles Spurgeon wrote:“You cannot glorify God better than by a calm and joyous life.Let the world know that you serve a good Master!”Negative people are never dynamic witnesses.
The stresses of living are not nearly as responsible for a host of debilitating diseases as our faulty reactions to those stresses.The Dr’s offices are filled with people suffering from nearly every disease in the book because their minds are beset by a thousand worries about their finances, their health or their children.Its a direct result of our focus.Focusing too much on the negatives.“Giving too much attention to negatives causes one to become an expert at faultfinding.”* Are there practical things we can do?Yes.And you can start with a few easy steps…right now, today! Stop watching so much news. News is depressing. The problems of our world are a heavy load to carry. Stay informed just enough to know and turn it off.Our brains are more likely to seek out negative information and store it more quickly to memory so stop it from coming in.Eliminate entertainment. Stop listening to and watching things that are negative. Any activity, entertainment, recreation or pastime that violates your convictions produces an inner conflict that causes negative feelings. If you feel guilty about what you watch, read or do, you will become negative about yourself. Books. Movies. Downloads. Social Media. Youtube. Eliminate all that is necessary for you. Turn on some good gospel music, or some good choir music.Let it permeate the airwaves of your home. You will be surprised at the change this can make!
Separate yourself . Not only are we called as Christians to separate ourselves from a lot of worldly activities we must also separate ourselves from negative people and circumstances. Negative people, complainers are an absolute energy drain.If you hangup, or walk away from them feeling depressed, discouraged and critical of others, then you need to delete or eliminate exposure to those people. Period. It’s that easy.I made the decision to delete people on my social media sites who talked vulgar, posted distasteful images, complained about everything or who talked about others frequently.I have no regrets.I don’t need the drama.I don’t want the drama. “To complain about our circumstances is to complain about God since He directs or allows the events that come into our lives. ”You are in charge. You have a delete button. You can remove those people from draining you. It may take some boldness on your part. Then again, if you are tired enough of seeing it and hearing it,then you might just do it with no regret too. When you make the attempt to delete negative people from your life great things will begin to happen.
Philippians 4:6-8 Amplified Bible (AMP)
6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([a]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
Tim LaHaye in his book, How to Win over Depression, warns:“There is no place in the Christian’s life for negativism. Avoid the complainer the griper and the critic; most of all avoid imitating them.”“Negativism, pessimism, griping, criticism, and gossip are not only harmful but also contagious. In fact you reinforce them in your mind every time you verbalize them.”Misery loves company.A person with a negative attitude attracts those who have the same feelings.Some people specialize in seeing clouds and they enjoy gathering for pity parties. Craig Massy in his article “Pulling through Depression writes: "While it may be difficult to admit,depression is a deliberate choice.” A few simple lifestyle changes can make all the difference.But even these can be difficult to master when they require breaking old habits and, on occasion, ending old associations.A whole new world awaits those who learn to rise above their circumstances and live each moment to the fullest. *People often become depressed and discouraged when they isolate themselves from others. Get involved.Get to every church service possible. Read the Bible every day. Other books too, but first the Bible.Get involved in the lives of others.Take someone out to lunch that you admire.Bake cookies for the new family in your church. Ask someone to go for a walk everyday with you.Volunteer to do something for the Church or for the Pastor. Pray that God brings the right influences into your life.
Good people. Good Books. Good friends. Good fellowship. Good role models Fill the gaps!
Fill the gaps of time you have available with working on a hobby. Learn something new. Try new recipes. Take a class.
Go buy a new journal or daily devotional.
Start a gratitude list! Write down any and all things you are grateful for. Pass on the praise! It’s been said that a person can go days on a nice compliment. I can tell you this is absolutely true! I was going through a few dark days and feeling low awhile back and somebody told me how “they admired my energy level and all I seem to get done in a day, especially for my age!” That was a positive shot in the arm for me! I lived on that compliment for days! Call or write someone and tell them what a blessing they have been to you, how much they mean to you, and how they have encouraged you. Start lifting others up and in the process you lift yourself!