February 10: Guarding against Negativity

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Guarding against Negativity 

Dr. Terry-Ann Robinson

 


Key Text: 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. Philippians 4:8

 

It is very easy to focus on the negatives in life. The hurt we feel, the times we are lied on, cursed out, deceived, or mistreated. The moments that break our trust. The disappointments that shake us. The words that sting long after they were spoken.

The negatives in life can haunt us, robbing us of our peace.
Have you ever spent a sleepless night replaying something that went wrong?
A conversation you wish happened differently?
A wound that still feels tender?

Those thoughts don’t just stay in the mind — they settle into the body.
Your heart may start to race…
Your muscles tighten…
Your stomach twists…
Your whole body responds to a thought as if it were a threat.

The Bible knew this long before science ever caught up, which is why God gave us a Holy Spirit–inspired 8‑point thought audit.

Before you allow a thought take root, the Scripture says to run it through this filter:

  • q  Is it true?
  • q  Is it noble?
  • q  Is it right?
  • q  Is it pure?
  • q  Is it lovely?
  • q  Is it admirable?
  • q  Is it excellent?
  • q  Is it praiseworthy?

God never said, “Don’t think.”
He said, “Think wisely.”
He said, “Think intentionally.”
He said, “Think on things that elevate, not things that suffocate.”

But here’s the honest part…

Even when you run your thoughts through this audit, even when the thought fails every test, negative thoughts still try to bombard the mind.

They barge in uninvited.
They cling tight.
They talk loud.
And they refuse to leave quietly.

So, what do you do then?

When negativity refuses to leave your mind, praise becomes your weapon.

Praise shifts your focus from what happened to Who is still in control.
Praise turns your attention from the wound to the Healer.
Praise drowns out the internal noise with the voice of truth.
Praise reminds your spirit:

“God is here. God is good. God is greater than this.”

Negativity can survive in silence, but it cannot survive in praise.

Praise breaks mental patterns.
Praise interrupts intrusive thoughts.
Praise changes the spiritual atmosphere.
Praise invites God’s peace into the very places your mind has felt attacked.

I encourage you to put up your guard of praise. 

Prayer

Lord, guard my mind today. When negativity tries to take root, replace it with Your truth.
Teach me to filter my thoughts through Your Word, and when negative thoughts persist,
teach me to lift my voice in praise. You are my peace, my protection, and my strength.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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