The Power of Negative Thinking

Let us talk about negative thinking. We have heard much about positive thinking. The essence of this is found in Philippians 4:8-9 which says that we should always think about whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, whatever is called virtue and worthy of praise. These thoughts will influence our attitude and determine our behavior. What happens when we think negatively? Is there something counterproductive that happens physically, mentally, or emotionally?

Proverbs 12:25 "Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad."

This verse begins with anxiety in the heart. Anxiety is a very complex emotion. A person who has anxiety tends to wrestle with repetitive and disturbing thoughts. A strong and persistent feeling of uneasiness. This feeling is also very difficult to hide. A person's eyes will reveal that he is carrying many heavy thoughts, perhaps more than anything else. In the Old Testament this is often called “a downcast face.” When we have negative thoughts, this is certainly the kind of facial expression we often show.

If at the office we are thinking negatively or feeling anxious, our coworkers will be able to see it, including our team. It will affect our performance. Our willingness to do extra work will fade. We will lose our joy and we will see nothing but obstacles or barriers.

Yes, when we are feeling anxious we are like people who are half paralyzed, burdened down. This will make us more sensitive to feedback and criticism. It will be hard for us to serve others when we are surrounded by anxiety.

How often do we show a downcast expression?

Where does this anxiety come from?

Let me first say that I do not intend to make a clinical statement about anxiety disorders or chronic conditions. I will only discuss the kind of anxiety that comes upon all of us, such as the stress we feel while working on a project or uncertainty about our future.

To answer the question about the origin of anxiety, let us begin by looking at the last words of Proverbs 12:25. This verse says, “but a good word makes him glad.” This verse shifts from internal anxiety to a good word that is external, as if spoken by someone who has peace to someone who is anxious. Have you ever thought that “a good word” is something a person who is anxious might think to say to himself? Yes, this can also mean good words spoken to oneself. Words of encouragement given by a friend, coworker, or boss will feel very good. Yet this is very easy to see. If we reverse-engineer this verse, we can conclude that good words will make the heart glad, and bad words will make the heart sad (or in this case, anxious). Bad words will make the heart heavy. And it does not matter where these bad words come from, whether from an external source, or from the words you think to yourself in your own heart.

This will make us feel as though we are carrying an extra burden. It will keep us from being agile in making choices. Yes, all of this makes us unable to see God's work in every situation.

When we think negatively, we will waste our own energy. The longer we allow it to continue, the more drained we will become.

Translated from the article “The Power Of Negative Thinking” by Shawn Sommerkamp at www.mydtconnect.org