We all love encouragement! It just feels wonderful to have others be excited or "get on board." When someone is excited about a new opportunity, if it's not against Scripture, I want to encourage them! When someone is specifically seeking G-d regarding a project or a purchase, or using their talents; I definitely want to encourage them! As the projects for the homestead to be ready for winter are winding down, I'm giving great consideration to other aspects and projects of this lifestyle to which I'm called. Realizing there will be no garden next year, I'm contemplating all sorts of projects, but I want them to be the right projects. I can be quite creative and as my parents always say about me, "get too many irons in the fire." They seem to be clueless as to how much I've slowed down and how focused I've become. I don't really consider "too many irons in the fire" to be a negative comment, at all. I enjoy being busy and working. I just want to make sure I'm on the right projects.
Have you ever noticed there is at least one person in your circle of influence who consistently has something negative to offer about your exciting news or projected plans? In my particular situation, I've taken note of the consistent naysayer and no longer take their comments as criticism, but confirmation. On really good days, I even feel sorry for them. Some people just have a negative perspective. In every opportunity, they see the potential failure. In each adventure, they see the possible calamity. In every new project, they have to walk themselves through their many phases of dread. Keep in mind, it's not your project, it's their perspective.
When we are blessed to notice this consistency, consider the way they speak of their faith, or if they speak of their faith. Nine times out of ten, these same individuals only speak of faith from a perspective of debate or disagreement, and often focus on the enemy. Once the consistency is noted, consider the pattern. How many of your projects in which they declared disaster or questioned competence, turned out just fine? Some folks are serious negative confirmation for achievers. Sadly, these bearers of negative confirmation don't usually aspire to a lot in life, and they seem exhausted most of the time. Notice the pattern. It takes so many more muscles to frown than to smile. It probably takes a lot more energy to be negative than positive. Now consider the energy beyond a positive attitude, led by the spirit of G-d and the results are: "I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me."
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