God is so faithful. God is so good. God is so true.

We are to rejoice in the Lord, always. Paul said that. And, you know... we don't!

Negativity consumes the world we live in. Negativity pops up everywhere we turn! How can we not be influenced by it somehow?

I'm just mulling this over, thanks to James MacDonald.

My mom has talked a lot lately about how we tend to be negative. We tend to lean toward having the glass half empty. At first, I was thinking that we might be sometimes, but what's the big deal?!

But, if Jesus is to be seen in our lives, negativity needs to disappear. We are to be reasonable... not someone who DEMANDS things or EXPECTS things. If we are reasonable, we can listen and think rationally. Better information is around the corner. We just have to listen, instead of jumping to conclusions.

Does that mean we can't have certain opinions or tastes? NO! We can. We are individuals. It's okay!

But, does that mean that we should freak out if people ask us to do something or move? Or what if all the family can't be together at the same time or what if too many people keep asking you about personal things? Should we be negative about those people or circumstances?

Oh how simple and joyous life could be if we just realized how readily available joy is.
Negativity must be replaced by rational reasoning.

In reasoning, we find time and space to rejoice. Rejoicing comes in letting go of all the foolish, negative things and embracing the better and good things around the corner.

Rejoice.
Always.
Again, I say, "Rejoice!"