In a recent sermon, Pastor Craig Groeschel made the statement that “You can’t have a positive, faith-filled life if you have a negative, fear-filled mind.” Living victoriously for Christ begins in our heart but is quickly followed by the thoughts in our head. After taking the initial step of surrendering our lives to Jesus, we begin a lifelong journey of surrendering our minds. What we think about matters. It reveals what’s really in our hearts.
If we claim to have the love of Jesus in our hearts but spend our days dwelling on negative thoughts and living in fear, it demonstrates we have not grasped the power of Jesus and the transforming strength of His love. The love of Jesus banishes fear from our lives (1 John 4:18). No matter in what circumstances we find ourselves, we know Jesus is with us. He goes before us (Deuteronomy 31:8) and will never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:6).
There is so much negativity in the world today. The weight of it is crushing. Everywhere you look and in every conversation you have, negative images and words are bombarding your senses. It’s everywhere. The temptation to join in the chorus of negative talk and fear is compelling. It’s as if we think if we corporately give in to fear, doubt, and disappointment that it will all go away. Commiserating in negativity or fear does nothing except inflame your anxiety. Repeat the pattern often enough, and soon you will find yourself clinically depressed and on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Fear and negativity are toxins that will eat you alive, spreading through your body until they consume every part of you. When that happens, how will you ever shine the light of Jesus? How will you ever carry out His mission? Fear and negativity will steal your joy, ruin your witness, and wreck your life.
You can’t have love in your heart if you have fear in your mind. The opposite is also true. A heart overflowing with love will flush the fear from your mind. Positive thoughts and actions have the same effect on the negative thoughts that are crippling you. When you notice negative words tumbling from your mouth, stop and smile. It’s virtually impossible for fear and negativity to consume you when you have a smile on your face. But more than physical tricks, what we need most is a spiritual transformation. When we allow Jesus to rule our hearts, He will drive the fear and negativity from our lives.
Turn off and tune out all the voices that are feeding your fear and negativity. They are devices of the devil and will serve no good purpose in your life. The message of Jesus is hope and love. When you feel fearful, try reading through a few Psalms. When negative thoughts overwhelm you, immediately go to God in prayer. You cannot worship God while engaging in negative thoughts, words, or activities. If you want to live a life that is vibrant and full, you must overflow with love and the positive hope of Jesus. Fear and negativity have no place in the life of someone surrendered to Christ. Start flushing it out today and feed your mind with Scripture, hope, and love. Jesus is the antidote to the fear and negativity infecting you.