Bible, Joy, Movies, Contentment

The Grinch

With Thanksgiving being a Holiday focused on gratitude and Christmas focused on generosity, you’d think that this time of year, we would all be in a pretty good mental and emotional state. But according to new reports, 3x more of us are dealing with mild to severe symptoms of depression since the beginning of the pandemic. So how can we replace the negativity all around us with something more positive and how can we change our focus so that we can live with the joy God intends for us?

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MESSAGE NOTES

It is so easy for us to become negative and cynical towards things. Even when there’s not much to be negative about.

Negativity is our default mode. Positivity is our disciplined mode.

Today, I want to help you identify the source of your negativity & replace it with something much healthier. I want to give you something better to focus on.

 

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.

[Philippians 2:14-15]

 

Joy is learned. Negativity is innate.

 

  •  What are the things in your life that you are turning dark?
  • What are you unnecessarily skeptical towards right now?
  • What do you find yourself becoming quickly frustrated at and negative toward?

Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

[Philippians 2:16]

 

Choosing joy begins with choosing God’s Word.

It’s up to you if you will find joy in your life. It is your choice because it is your perspective. Not your circumstances.

But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a
liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.

[Philippians 2:17]

 

  • Your attitude is your offering to God.
  • Your perspective is your offering to God.

Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

[Philippians 2:18]

Joy spreads joy.

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Application Questions

1. What stood out to you from this message and why?

2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?

3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?

4. How will this message change how you act at home, work and in the your relationships?

With Thanksgiving being a Holiday focused on gratitude and Christmas focused on generosity, you’d think that this time of year, we would all be in a pretty good mental and emotional state. But according to new reports, 3x more of us are dealing with mild to severe symptoms of depression since the beginning of the pandemic. So how can we replace the negativity all around us with something more positive and how can we change our focus so that we can live with the joy God intends for us?

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