My dear husband calls me his little “half-empty” wife. This wonderful pet name stems from my incredible ability to see the negative in everything. He, on the other hand, is extremely “half-full” in every sense of the phrase.
I’ve often wondered what causes people to be at extreme opposite ends of the spectrum in this important area. One of our big differences is the fact my husband has always known Christ, even as a small child. I truly believe his strong faith and knowledge of the Word keeps his thoughts in a positive direction.
I spent most of my life as an unbeliever. Only in the past 5 years have I come to not only want to know Christ more but to also follow Him in the way He has instructed us. I’m learning that following His Word can help me not only take those negative thoughts captive, but it allows me to truly find freedom.
A few months ago, I did a wonderful Bible study called the Hem of His Garment. We learned the best way to escape negativity was through the use of Philippians 4:8.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
So we took it upon ourselves to change “Philippians 4:8” from a noun to a verb. In order to take those unnecessary thoughts captive, we would need to Philippians 4:8 every negative string of words that came to mind.
Please join me at ArabahJoy.com to read the rest of this encouragement and learn more about how we can leave behind our negative attitudes and become positive thinkers today…
Absolutely beautiful message. Powerful column, Candace….thanks too for introducing me to Arabah Joy. I subscribed while there…….what a wonderful site!
you have a way with words! I definitely needed this today…any day, really.
Thanks so much, Chris! I’m glad these words could serve you today, my friend. Arabah is wonderful. I actually met her through a Christian blogging class she created. I’m honored to be contributing monthly to her beautiful site. You will gain a lot through her posts :).
HA! My husband calls me Eeyore! I like your name better! I guess we both need to read more of the Apostle Paul to get our hearts into Half Full Mode (or Tigger mode!).
I’ve definitely been called Eeyore more than once as well, Michele :). And my husband is a true Tigger. Paul has given us some perfect words of wisdom on this topic. I should really post this verse throughout my home!
I’ll be over in a minute to finish reading this. I’m half-empty, too. Trying to reform!
Please drop by and say hello!
ஐღLauraღஐ
Harvest Lane Cottage
…doing what I can with what I’ve got where I am
on a short shoestring budget!
~~~~~
There are a lot of us “half-empty” people out there, Laura. I’m definitely a work in progress with this as well :). So nice to meet you!
This is timely for me, Candace. My mind is tormented today with lies of self-condemnation. Sometimes just when I think it’s going better, I go plunk. Three words here give me such encouragement – “Progress, not perfection…” Thank you. Blessings and hugs to you!
I’m so sorry you were struggling yesterday, Trudy. I hope you are feeling better and basking in truth today, my friend. “Progress, not perfection” has been truly life changing for me. Try posting it around your house to never forget :).
Good thought!! I am also a half empty person and have to push myself to look on the brighter side and I’ve been a Christian since I was 10 I believe. We need to be more positive and understand that God puts us through a situation so we can grow.
Amen to the growth, Miranda. I completely agree. It may be hard to see when we are in the middle of a struggle, but those have been my greatest lessons. Thanks for that reminder!
Oh my goodness, I love this. I’ve just been talking to my tween about this very approach: about taking thoughts captive and throwing them “in jail” and about replacing them with “whatever…”! In fact, she has adopted “whatever” as her catch-word to respond, mentally, to negative “stuff” at school. Which gladdens my mama’s heart so much. Thank you for sharing your words and heart…stopping by from the SHINE Blog Hop!
What a great tool your tween is already using, Elizabeth. I wish I would have tried taking thoughts captive at such a young age. She will be well ahead in her emotional wellbeing than most of us were :).
Heading over to read the rest of this. But I’m like your husband I try to think positive while my husband can be a bit pessimistic.
You seem like a really positive person, Sonya. I’m truly amazed by people who lean that way :). I have jumped to negative thoughts for as long as I can remember. This transformation is definitely a journey for me.
My husband and I are the total opposite of this; I’m definitely the optimist and he’s the pessimist (the realist, as he prefers to refer to it). I think there’s a place for both personalities, but the key is finding balance. Being too much of either one can have negative consequences.
I’d love for you to come link up with The Alder Collective link party! https://bit.ly/1LYB1Zn
I agree about finding balance, Abby. That’s probably why opposites work so well in relationships :). It seems like most of the couples I know have one of each. Thanks for the invite to your link party!
I have to keep that same verse in mind, along with Romans 12:2 And 2 Corinthians 10:5! Thanks for sharing!
Those are both great verses, Tina. Thanks so much for sharing them. All 3 of these verses together are an unstoppable tool for emotional wellbeing :).
This was wonderful – I left a more detailed comment on Arabah Joy’s site for you.
Thanks so much for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely day!
xoxo
Thank you for the visits and linkup, Jennifer! I’ll see you over there :). I hope you’ve had a wonderful day as well.
Candace, I really needed this today! It’s so nice to hear I’m not alone in my “half-empty” world! Thank you!
You are definitely not alone, Leigh! There are an abundance of us in this category. I’m so glad this could help you today.
I am a half full women so when I do think half empty I know I am walking in the flesh. sometime though I can see not half empty or half full within a matter of minutes. How we see life really has to be sorted through our perspective of what we think our what the bible says. to gain a Godly perspective we must at all cost spend time with Him. Great post.
I couldn’t agree more with this, Betty: “we must at all cost spend time with Him.” That is the key. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here.
Short but really encouraging. Straight to the truth. 🙂
Hi Lux! It’s actually much longer. The rest is at my friend, Arabah Joy’s site :).