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Monday, July 12, 2010

How to Handle Negative Emails

Do your daily emails resemble mine: mostly negative? You know the kind—the economy is sinking; our freedoms are vanishing; our politicians are unscrupulous; our health care is scary; our national security is eroding; our medicines are dangerous; and our cars are unsafe. Although many of the emails are credible, few, if any, are inspirational. I am always glad, therefore, when an email slips into my Inbox that offers some humor or encouragement to brighten my day.

Yes, current conditions can darken our outlook as surely as black paint darkens a park bench. But Christians should be optimistic realists, realistic about the perilous times we live in but optimistic about the future God has carved out for us. Here are a few encouraging statements from Scripture that offset those negative emails we receive daily:

Isaiah 26:3—“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

Zechariah 14:9—“And the LORD shall be King over all the earth.”

John 14:27—“ . . . My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Romans 8:37—“ . . . we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

Philippians 4:19—“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 3:4—“When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

Revelation 22:7—“Behold, I am coming quickly!”

We don’t have to deny that national and international conditions are grim, but we do not have to dwell on them. If we look around us at what is negative, we can become depressed; but if we look above us to the God who is in control, we can be at rest.