“The Right Attitude: A Positive Outlook”
In his book The Power of Positive Thinking, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale says, “Have faith in your abilities. Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” For Dr. Peale, the goal of “success and happiness” is driven by human effort and self-actualization. In contrast, for believers in Christ Jesus, our joyful disposition is not determined by external human effort or events. Our inner gladness is founded on an inner satisfaction and sufficiency that is not determined by outside influences.
When Jesus gave what is commonly known as the “Beatitudes,” he used the word “blessed” or “happy” to describe the inner character of a person in the kingdom of God and who has inner traits that come from the King. These inner traits help believers to have a positive outlook on life that enables us to endure and overcome many of the adverse and arduous moments we are sure to encounter.
Sometimes life’s circumstances can challenge us in ways that tempt us to be pessimistic and cynical. Whenever we get the news that there is life threatening sickness in our body, it can tempt us to have a pessimistic attitude toward life. Whenever we have marital problems that attack the unity and oneness of the marital relationship, it can tempt us to have a pessimistic attitude toward life. Whenever we get the news of a sudden and unexpected job loss, it can tempt us to have a pessimistic attitude toward life. We need to have and maintain an optimistic outlook no matter what happens in life.
The reasons for having a positive outlook on life become even more priceless when we fully understand Solomon’s words in Proverbs 15:13, 15. These verses teach us about the nature and necessity of having a “positive outlook” on life.
1. A Positive Outlook Starts In The Heart (Proverbs 15:13)
Solomon said, “A merry heart” or “Happiness makes a person smile, but sadness can break a person’s spirit” (NCV). The heart is synonymous with our inner being, and it is the driving force behind a person’s spirit. Solomon wanted his readers to understand that happiness and depression are heart issues. Someone has said that “What we are inwardly has a more lasting impact on our emotional state than do our circumstances.” When we are happy on the inside, our faces can’t help but show it on the outside. David C. McCasland wrote, “If you have joy in your heart, it will show on your face.”
2. A Positive Outlook Is Helpful to Others (Proverbs 15:30)
Solomon said, “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones” (NIV). Solomon wanted his readers to understand that people who have a positive outlook on life can offer tremendous encouragement to others. A positive person’s nonverbal encouragement (by a cheerful look) or verbal encouragement (good news) is helpful and uplifting. Solomon said it “brings joy” and “gives health to the bones.” The word “joy” in Hebrew is samach, and it means to “make cheerful” or “to brighten up.” The words “health to the bones” are a Hebraic symbol of health, happiness, and prosperity.”
Solomon goes on to say in Proverbs 17:22 that “A happy heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit drains your strength.” When we feel good on the inside, it shows on the outside. Most of the time, people can tell when we feel good on the inside because it shows in our external disposition. Solomon also said, “…a broken spirit drains your strength.” If you have ever been depressed, you understand that depression makes you feel weak. How can a person have a positive outlook that encourages them when, on the inside, they don’t even feel good about themselves? Every child of God needs an inner joy like a dose of good medicine. Whenever I choose to have joy, it has a medicinal effect that enables me to brighten up and say, “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will be glad and rejoice in it” (Ps. 118:24).
I remember reading a quote by Dr. Maya Angelo in which she said, “If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love. Don’t be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning ‘Good morning’ at total strangers.”
Remember: Solomon said in Proverbs 15:30b, “…good news makes you feel better.” One of the greatest reasons we should be able to help someone else have a positive outlook is because we have some good news. If you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you have some good news that can help to change someone’s outlook on life. What is the gospel of Jesus Christ? The Greek word for gospel is from the word euggelion, which means “good news.” What is the good news of Jesus Christ? John Blanchard said the gospel, or good news, is “a glorious declaration of the mighty acts of God when he invaded this earth in the person of his eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
For those who have embraced the gospel/good news of our Lord Jesus Christ, we should consistently bless others by sharing the life-altering message of the gospel. The gospel can bless and enrich a person’s life by breaking down barriers that keep them from possessing a positive attitude rooted in a biblical foundation. This means that our goal as Christians should always be to focus on developing a positive outlook based on the transforming power of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives.