18th July 2022

Accentuate the positive 

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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

The famous song ‘Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive’, written by Johnny Mercer and recorded by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters, is ‘sung in the style of a sermon’¹  and tells us to ‘accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative and latch on to the affirmative’.

The way we think influences our mental health, our physical health, our relationships and even our spiritual health. In Proverbs 17:22 we read ‘A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.’ We have a choice how to think, however, outside influences can affect our thinking. For instance we may have a tendency to be positive or negative depending on our upbringing and our life’s experiences. In the end though we generally determine how we are going to think.

God knows our struggles and we cannot hide them from him. We all experience trials that can sometimes lead us to a sense of despair. Instead, we need to allow those trials to bring us closer in our relationship with our Creator. What better way to lift our spirits than to praise God even in the midst of despair? We can know that Christ rules supreme over our situation because he himself suffered, and we should remind ourselves daily of who we are in Christ. The Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 8:39 give us encouragement: ‘…neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’

Our attitude also affects other people. Smiling is contagious and promotes positivity. As a music lover I often find myself humming a tune when out and about or shopping. I have noticed on many occasions how, when I am humming my tune, the person next to me starts humming too. It’s contagious and who knows, may brighten up someone’s day?

When we look at the world today it’s so easy to become despondent. Remember Christ’s 

words in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Remember – ‘accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative and latch on to the affirmative’.

Prayer
Loving Father, please give us strength when we are weak; love when we feel forsaken; courage when afraid; comfort when we are alone; hope when we feel rejected, and peace when we are in turmoil. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Study by June Burrows

¹ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate_the_Positive

 

About the writer:
June Burrows attends the Southampton congregation of Grace Communion International

Local congregation:
Hythe & Dibden Parish Hall
West St
Hythe
Southampton
SO45 6AA

Meeting time:
Saturday 11:00am

Local congregation contact:
Peter Noon
Email: southampton@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church