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PMA—Positive Mental Attitude—it’s a term we hear a good bit. Well, should a Christian have a positive mental attitude? And if so, how do we do that in a very negative world?
When I talk about staying positive in a negative world, I’m not talking about denial or sticking your head in the sand. And the Bible is clear in pointing out the negatives of sin, of disobedience, selfishness, etc. Obviously there are times we must focus on the negatives.
But as I read scripture, I am convinced that a Christian who is really desirous of pleasing God and obeying him in everyday life will be developing a positive attitude. It should be a natural outcome of walking with God and getting to know him better and better.
There’s no question that a strong biblical principle is to be a positive thinking and living person. If we don’t have something to be positive about in this negative world, who does? After all, as believers we know the end of this story. We know that God is triumphant and that we are going to reign with him in Heaven. We know that no matter how terrible things look all around us, we have a hope and a promise that is steadfast, so of all people, we believers ought to stay positive in this negative world.
For example, if we think the way Philippians 4:8 tells us to, our thinking will be about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. We’ll find very little room there for negative thinking. And if we strive to do everything without complaining or arguing, as Paul tells us in the second chapter of Philippians, then our words are going to become more and more positive. We must conclude that a Christian who strives to glorify Jesus in their everyday life is one who works hard to maintain a positive attitude, right in the midst of this negative world.