Week 1 Negativity | “Goodbye Negativity. Hello Glee-tivity!” Open Up
Big Idea: When we choose an attitude of gratitude over a negative Have you heard of an "oxymoron"? It's a "rhetorical device in which two seem-
spirit, joy will be the result. ingly contradictory words are used together for effect". Here are a few exam-
ples: "awfully good", "climb down", "free credit", and "adult male" (o.k., that
one's for the ladies!)
Bible Verse: "...give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will So, can you name a few?
for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5.18
Here's an oxymoron that shouldn't be... "Negative Christian". Think of some nega-
tive Christians that you know (unfortunately, it shouldn't be hard...wow, that was
Her name was Brittany, but around the office (behind her back of
kind of negative). What do you think contributes to them having such a negative
course), she was known as "Debbie Downer". Never make the mistake
spirit? How does it affects those around them?
of asking her "How's it going?". An hour later, and 20 problems later,
you'd realize how she got her nickname. No wonder she was already on When you find yourself getting a little negative, what typically is behind it?
husband number three and she hadn't even hit forty yet! I must of done Dig In
something to upset God, because I was assigned the cubicle next to
The cure to negativity, otherwise known as the “poison of pessimism”, is the anti
her! Now here is the really sad part...she goes to my church! Every
-toxin known as GRATITUDE. Developing the attitude of gratitude doesn’t came
Sunday she hears about God's love and grace. Every Sunday she
naturally, it must become a habit.
stands like the rest of us and sings songs of thanks to God (though I'm
amazed how she does it with that "pained expression" on her face). I
hate to admit it, but I pray that nobody at work finds out we go to Contrast Romans 1.21 with Philippians 4.4-7. What can happen when we DO or DO
church together. I don't want people thinking "That is what a Christian NOT have a grateful spirit toward God?
looks like?". Hey, I have my share of flaws, but at least I have some
spark of joy in my life. I'm not the one people walk in the other direc-
DO NOT (Romans 1.21)-
tion when coming. I'm not the one not getting invited to the after work
parties. I really do feel bad for her (though not as much as I feel for
her family). It sure makes you think, how does a person get like that? Do (Philippians 4.4-7)-
DO NOT (Romans 1.21)- Sometimes we tend to be like the 9 lepers who didn’t give thanks. It’s easy to fall
into the trap of negativity by focusing on what ISN’T going well in our lives in-
stead of giving thanks to God for what He IS doing in our lives (and even through
Do (Philippians 4.4-7)-
our trials and circumstances). Which of the following roadblocks keep you from
having an attitude of gratitude at times?
Many of the Psalms are “Thank You Prayers” set to music. Psalm 103 is an Too busy to take the time to thank Him I didn’t get what I asked for
example. Go ahead and read it.
Taking for granted what I have Feeling like I earned it myself
Which reasons for gratitude resonated with you the most? Why?
Close Out
The 1 Minute Challenge: In the following categories, what are the things you are
Jesus tells The Story of 10 Lepers to emphasize the importance of giving thankful to God for? You got 1 minute to come up with as many as possible.
thanks. Read it in Luke 17.11-19. Ready, set, GO:
Why do you think the other nine did not return to give thanks? Who God is-
Family-
Why do we sometimes forgot to give thanks to God for what He’s done for
us?
Work-
Material possessions/provisions-
Jesus healed these ten men of leprosy. What are some of the ways God has
In this weeks WEBCAM WISDOM, we mentioned five practical ways to start devel-
“healed” you? Take time to give Him thanks.
oping an attitude of gratitude. Which ones will you commit to this month?