We just need to look at our daily news to realize that nowadays, many people are suffering from anxiety and depression. So many desperate acts because, as humans, we focus on the negatives more than the positives. We tend to look at the glass as if it is half empty more than we realize that, in reality, it is half full. Two persons can be suffering the same problem, and one looks at it with positivism and hope, and the other looks at it with negativism and pessimism. It is how complex is our human brain. But why is it so hard to see the glass half full? Because it is hard for us to look beyond what our physical eyes see and see that our situation can change.
I think that renewing our minds is one of the toughest things Christians have to deal with. Changing our mindset and fostering more positive thinking is not something you do in a matter of seconds; it is a process that we will be conquering our whole life. Every day we must decide with what kind of mindset we will face our day. It is a daily decision between thinking something positive will happen, persevering and having faith, or thinking we are doomed, getting frustrated, and eventually quitting. Seeing the glass half full speaks about how we see life and how much faith we have that no matter what circumstances we face, God has control, and even when we do not understand, He will always work in our favor.
Unfortunately, there is no magical way to start seeing things differently; it is hard to think positively in every situation because when we are in the middle of a problem, we get consumed by suffering and despair. That suffering and despair cause deep frustration, impeding us from seeing a positive outcome. I know by experience; there have been many circumstances in which I wanted to see things differently but failed to do so because the negative impact of the situation itself in my life was so severe that all I could see was defeat and desperation. It is not an easy task! It is so difficult that sometimes I think it seems almost impossible when in reality is a decision. We are the only ones who can decide how we will face the trials. We are the ones who can determine to start seeing the glass as half full instead of half empty. But how do we do that? Here are some tips that will help you change your mindset:
1. Fill yourself with God's Word- If you are full of God's Words, there will be no space for the devil's lies. God's Word is a powerful tool for helping you counteract all negativities. When we fill ourselves with God's Word, we can remember His promises in the middle of a trial and find comfort and peace.
2. Look out for opportunities. Every situation presents us with obstacles and opportunities. A great example is Numbers 13:17–25. In these verses, Caleb and Joshua saw the same problems that the other ten spies saw but decided to have faith. Both saw and recognized reality; however, they trusted God. We must have their attitude and trust God because, with Him by our side, we will be able to overcome anything.
3. See things from God's perspective. Whenever a negative thought overwhelms you, take a step back and stop to think if your thoughts are logical or irrational and full of fear. Fear leads us to believe that everything is lost and that we do not have a chance when, in reality, there is always a way. Counteract the negative thoughts with God's Word. Doing this will reduce your anxiety and fill you with hope and peace. Seeing problems from God’s standpoint changes the way we confront them.
4. Surround yourself with people who feed your faith. Fear, defeat, and despair are contagious. We must be aware of what we are listening to. When we are always with people that whine about everything, we will also start complaining and whining. But if, instead, we surround ourselves with faithful people, we will be influenced by them.
5. Be grateful and appreciate all things. When we are thankful for every blessing, even the small ones, our eyes will be fixed on the positive things rather than the negative ones.
6. Pray, Pray, Pray! Praying is a powerful tool to strengthen ourselves and self-regulate our thoughts. When we pray, we tell God that we need his help to overcome; we show Him that we trust Him. When we connect to God, we find peace and joy.
7. Count your blessings, not your setbacks! We have many things to be grateful for; they are more than our setbacks. Use your blessings as nourishment for your faith.
8. Recognize God's Sovereign and accept His will. God's will is always perfect and is the best for us. When we accept His will, we will be more content with it. Instead of always trying to impose our will, we must trust God and accept His will.
9. Always find a reason to have joy! If we trust God, we know that everything will work out, and even if the outcome is not what we expected, God always has a plan. So, instead of focusing on the negatives, look out for those things that bring you joy and rejoice in them.
10. Remember that Jesus paid the Price! Jesus conquered everything on the cross. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33. Jesus gave us victory! And even in death, we win because He gave us eternal life with Him.
If you are in the middle of a storm and all you see is that the glass is half empty, surrender your cares to our Lord and recognize that you cannot overcome fear in your strength, and you need Him to give you His strength and peace. Start applying these tips above, and you will see how your mindset starts changing. But always remember that having faith and seeing the glass half full is a decision you must adopt every day!
