FROM THE EDITOR amber weigand-buckley
are you a negative nellie? During the months of COVID quarantine, I’ve found myself fighting one long-lasting virus more than any other—the virus of negativity. And it doesn’t matter how much I pray or how many Scriptures I read it doesn’t take much for the symptoms to come creeping back in.
Frequently my British husband tells me, “Stop being a Negative Nellie,” and I don’t even realize I’m being negative at all. But you see, the symptoms of negativity are more surprising than you might think.Do you find yourself struggling with any of the symptoms below on a consistent basis? • Do you spend time fuming at someone’s Facebook post even if you don’t write a reply? • Do you dread when one specific name pops up on your cell phone because you “just know” they are going to “drain you” of your good mood? • When you talk to a friend who just got in a fight with their spouse, are you quick to join the rant and share all the same things about your spouse that make you mad? • Do things that you don’t like about yourself, or “stupid mistakes” keep you feeling like you will never achieve (you fill in the blank)? • And—this is a big one for me—do you find yourself calling yourself “a failure” or other demeaning names when things go wrong, or your home is not at peace.
Negativity is an outflow of TIRED, FRUSTRATED, PROLONGED, DISCOURAGEMENT. It is as infectious as any virus. In fact, I think that the enemy of our soul likes to use it more than any other weapon against us. Why? It’s a Spirit-killer.
It SEEKS TO KILL and DESTROY the Spirit of Hope, Joy, and Peace that the Father works to grow in us daily so we might be a testimony to His faithfulness in and through all things. Hebrews 12:1 challenges us to strip off “every UNNECESSARY WEIGHT and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us” (AMP). Negativity may not be sinful, but it definitely is “unnecessary weight” that keeps us from testifying the truth of God’s faithfulness. Refuse to carry it. You can turn the channel on negativity with mindfulness to what we let into our thoughts and hearts. When the negative dialogue starts playing in our head, we can catch ourselves. Speaking God’s truth into those moments will break negativity’s hold on us!
When I walk through the door of my home, I’m reminded in Jesus’ name to cast the spirit of negativity off me. I do not want it to come into my house with me. Guide negative conversations
with friends into the truth of God’s good things. There is nothing wrong with guarding your heart against social media or feeds that stir up negative emotions in you. Also, consider Philippians 4:8 when you are posting, too.
love, Amber
I hope this issue of Leading Hearts encourages you to arise to everything God has called you to be and daily strip away everything that the enemy would like to use to hold you back.
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