By Maria ML #3581 12/05

Dear Family,

1. In this Letter‚ and probably a few more in the series, I'm going to talk about a subject that many of you may be quite familiar with—negativity, and specifically when it comes to our opinion and perception of ourselves. But when thinking about what to title the Letter, I didn't want it to have a negative spin, because, after all, the point of talking about negativity is to rid our lives of it and replace it with positiveness and praise!

2. Sadly, the Enemy attacks a lot of you with negativity. And although we know that the solution is to be positive, to be praiseful, and to use the new weapons—and I shared some wonderful material on praise with you in Link #1—it's still helpful to delve into negativity and dissect it a bit. Not for the purpose of dwelling on the negative, but for the purpose of being able to recognize what negativity is and why it's so devastating—which will then give us the impetus to fight the darkness of negativity and strive to walk in the light of positiveness and praise.

3. So that's the purpose of this Letter—to help us all to begin to be more positively positive, aka (also known as) praiseful! I'm only exposing the negative in order to bring in the positive, to have the ammunition to be able to fight the negativity the Enemy hits us with—whether it's regularly or only occasionally—to be reminded of what powerful spiritual weapons we hold in our hands to defeat him, and so that we can suffer much, much less of his influence in our lives.

4. Although there are a lot of ways that negativity can be manifested—such as being negative toward others—we won't go into the details of each form of negativity. We'll focus mainly on negativity toward oneself, which is very closely linked to discouragement, so there will be some information on that topic as well. My hope and prayer is that as you make an effort to transform any negative thoughts you have toward yourself into positive ones, that the positiveness and spirit of praise will spill over into every other area of your life as well.

5. The power of praise and positiveness is contagious. So be a carrier! If you've been negative about yourself in the past, turn over a new leaf in your life and ask the Lord to transform you into someone who is so praiseful and positive that you'll be able to influence others' lives for the better. It is possible. You can change—and not just slightly, but you can change drastically. What was once your weakness can become your strength! I know it's possible, because I've personally seen some incessant negative thinkers overcome their nature with the will to change and the Lord's unfailing help.

6. One key promise I always claim when I need to make changes in my life is, "The Lord can change your heart‚ your mind, your desires, your very nature, if you'll just give it all to Him." That's a promise you can claim too‚ if you need a positive change in your nature. That's all it takes—giving your all to the Lord, asking Him to transform your life‚ and He will.

7. Dad was a great proponent of fighting the Enemy, so I'm also going to include some of his quotations in boxes throughout this series‚ from the classic Letter he wrote in the early days of the Family—"Dumps!" That's a good Letter to review from time to time, and if you who are new to the Family haven't read this Letter yet, ask someone to provide you with a copy. It's one you won't want to miss! (Note: This Letter can be found in Greater Victories, a Mountain Streams book, and online at: http://www.thefamily.org/word/mls/index.php3?letterid=90)

Negative or positive?

8. First I'd like to share with you a message that the Lord gave about the difference between the definitions of negative and positive. He also makes the connection between positiveness and faith, and says that by being strong in faith, which comes as a result of our time in the Word, we will be better able to fight the Enemy's attacks of negativity.

9. (Jesus: ) There is one rule of thumb that is helpful to remember in fighting negativity: Positive anything is better than negative nothing. Anything you do that is positive is going to be better than the nothing good that comes from giving place to negativity. Take the word "negative" and overwrite it with the word "positive." They both have the same number of letters, but the results of putting them into action are worlds apart.

10. Check your dictionary for the definitions of the word "negative."

11. (Jesus continues: ) There just isn't anything good about being negative, as you can see. It's the opposite of everything that I am. Now look up the word "positive" in the dictionary and read the definitions and words that describe it.

12. (Jesus continues:) Don't these descriptions sound a lot like what faith is all about? Faith is knowing. You have no doubt. Faith is seeing the good and possibilities that others cannot see. Faith grows as you use it. Faith believes even when circumstances and conditions point to the opposite. Faith stands no matter what. Faith continues on even when something "negative" happens in your life. It shines, and is at its height when you live the principle of the Letter, "But If Not!" (ML #313; can also be found in More Than Conquerors, Mountain Streams.)

13. Grow in faith, My loves. The way you grow in faith is through the Word—not just reading it, but receiving it, believing it, accepting it and applying it. If you will be doers and not just hearers‚ calling on the keys of receptivity, faith, acceptance, and application, you will overcome the negativity in your life. The more negative you tend to be, the more you need to make My Word a part of your life. If you receive‚ believe, accept, and apply My Word as much as you can each day, you will be changed for the better. (End of message.)

Effects of negative thinking

14. (Mama: ) If you're a negative thinker, chances are it has become a habit for you. So breaking your negative habit and replacing your thought patterns with the positive, will require quite a bit of faith, determination‚ willpower, and effort on your part. It won't be easy to train the new positive you—though, of course, it will be much easier if you cry out to the Lord for His help, and use the spiritual weapons, and all of the spirit help available to you.

15. I've found that often when the Lord asks something difficult of you, it helps to know the reason why you're going to all the trouble. What will the effects be if you continue on with your negative mindset? How will it affect your life, your well-being, your happiness, your interactions with others, and all the rest? If you know where that road leads, it can give you a lot more determination to not allow yourself to walk it, and to get desperate with the Lord for the change that you desire.

16. (Jesus: ) The effect of negative thinking in someone's life is nothing short of devastating. It robs that individual of the potential that I have created within them, and hinders Me from accomplishing all that I wish to do through them. Negative thinking, as it is commonly termed in the Family, is really just old-fashioned pessimism.

17. A negative outlook on life is so different from the optimistic‚ positive outlook that I wish for My children to have. It is the antithesis of faith. I have called My children to a life of faith, but negative thinking is a life of doubt. Negativity is manifested in different ways and in varying degrees in different people, but the result is the same. Negativity brings real pain into people's lives.

18. So many people want to do great things. So many people dream of being a person who changes the world through some great work written, a great deed of courage performed, or great acts of compassion rendered to those in need. But the negative feeling of "I just can't do it" robs people of that chance to make good on their dreams. It's the Devil's ploy to make life miserable and unfulfilling.

19. So many people know that they can do great things, but do not have the courage to step out and try for fear that their attempts will be subject to ridicule by others, and because they fear that they will fail. (Of course, there are many more reasons that cause people to be held back by negativity; this is only one example.) The world is full of negative thinkers who lack the courage to step out and do things that will make a difference.

20. Negative thinking cripples a person's life to one degree or another. It robs people of the opportunity to live up to their full potential and of achieving their greatest desires and aims. In the world, it condemns many to the rat race of mere survival— drudgery day after day—because they don't think they can achieve anything more. It brings depression and other mental disorders, and that in turn leads to physical disorders.

21. I call My children to rise above negative thinking in their lives. For I know if they do, the happiness that they will find will far outweigh the loss of pride and other hurts that are incurred as they step out to try something different. The it-can't-be-done attitude hits at the very core of My children's faith, that they can do all things through Me and that nothing is impossible for Me (Philippians 4:13; Mark 10:27).

22. There is so much to be positive about! If My children lack self-esteem‚ it would help to look at things this way: I died for them. I, the Son of God, died for them. They are so valuable in My sight, and in My Father's sight, that it was worth My while to go to Earth and die for them. That should raise people's self-esteem‚ their self–value, if they realize that they are so valuable that I died for them. Think on that for some time; dwell on that. Really think about it.

23. Further to that, with My children in the Family, I not only died for them, but I have given them the privilege of being My intimate brides. Of all the people in the world, I have chosen you to be one of My brides. Don't look around at the others. I have chosen you to be My bride. Think of that. It is a great honor. So the problem of low self–esteem should be nonexistent in My Family because of the great honor I have bestowed on each Family member.

24. If I have chosen you for such an honor, then why should you think negatively about yourself? "Well," you say‚ "I think I know myself better." But what you are really saying when you say that is that you know better than Me. Now you know that simply isn't true. So if I know better than you, then you'd better fight to accept and believe the good. Imagine what your negative thinking is robbing you of because you will not accept that there are many positive things about you that I love. And the negative? Well‚ that is washed away with My blood‚ and I don't even consider it. How can you think negatively now?

25. The sinful nature of man has given rise to pride, and pride manifests itself in several ways. Two ways in particular have to do with negative thinking. Some people who think negatively of others are so proud and so obnoxious that people can't stand to be around them. On the other extreme, some people who think negatively of themselves are so proud and timid that they can hardly stand to be around themselves. Both of these things war against My purpose in My people's lives.

26. Negative thinking often results in shyness and timidity. Because it binds people so much, negative thinking takes away the wonderful joy and feeling of usefulness that I wish to give them. Some of My poor children have this negative thinking so ingrained in them that they walk about as half the women and men of God that they could be.

27. Negative thinking reinforces the feeling of worthlessness and so reinforces the negative effects of pride. When you're thinking negatively about yourself, feeling worthless and unworthy, then you allow pride‚ usually in the form of shyness, to hold you back. So fighting negativity can also keep you from falling into pride through shyness and timidity.

28. Look at the great men and women in the world and what they have done. When I speak of great men and women of the world, I don't necessarily mean that they are great in My eyes, but they have risen to great positions in the world. Some through pride, of course, but others because they refused to believe that they couldn't do it, and so they stepped out and did it.

29. Now, I'm not saying that you should strive to be some sort of leader of the world. You are not called for that. Whatever your form of membership, you are called to be a leader and a feeder of My sheep, to share My love with others, to be a missionary in one way or another. You are called to the greatest life there is. The fact that you are a member of the Family shows that you had the gumption and the faith to step out and start living for Me. So tap into that same positive will that first got you into the faith life‚ that inspiration of knowing that you were going to step out and do it; even if you failed, you were still going to try. Remember that faith you had, that positiveness, and tap into that and use it in your daily life. When challenges present themselves‚ once again step out to accept the challenge.

30. Don't stay a spiritual cripple! You do not have to be! Think positively as you focus on Me, think positively about yourself, and also think positively about others, because the negative effect, the discouraging effect you have on others is another dreadful repercussion of thinking negatively.

31. Negative thinking results in negative, destructive criticism, which results in destruction. Destruction is a strong word, but that is what it results in, because the potential that has been there for good, for greatness, or for success has been destroyed.

32. Probably the best example of a negative thinker in the Bible is Judas. He doubted that My mission would succeed. He doubted that he could carry it on. He didn't think it was right for Me to do some of the things that I did. So deep was his negative thinking that on that crucial day he sold Me out. His negative thinking then became so intense that, contrary to everything he had heard Me teach‚ he thought there was no forgiveness for the crime that he had committed, and so he hung himself (Matthew 27:3-5). His negative thinking resulted in My death and in his death. I don't say that to make you think that you would be a Judas if you have an inclination toward negative thinking; I'm simply explaining to what a fatal degree the results of negative thinking can extend.

33. All that to say, My children—have faith. Have faith in Me and in My Words, and faith in yourselves, that I knew what I was doing when I chose you to be My servants, to be My brides, to be My missionaries, and members of the Family. Live up to your full potential by not giving in to the negative thinking of the Devil and the sinful nature of man. Look up, for your redemption draweth nigh! (End of message.)

Tips on how to fight negativity

34. (Mama:) Now that we've heard some from the Lord about why negativity is so detrimental in our lives, we need some tips on how to fight it. Here's a message from the Lord to get you started in the right direction.

35. (Jesus:) The first step to pulling out of the downward spiral of negativity is to recognize that it's not you; it's the Enemy. I know this is easier said than done, and you definitely feel like it's you, but it's not.

36. One way that you can actually do this is to think of someone you know who is very negative about himself. I'm sure you know someone, or know of someone, who falls into this category. When you listen to someone explaining why they can't do this or that, or why they fall so terribly short in some area, more often than not it doesn't really make sense.

37. One of the ironies of being negative about yourself is that often the very area you're complaining about is your most gifted area, or one of them. That makes it more obvious that it's the Enemy trying to steal away your talents and cause you to bury them instead of using them for My glory. Whoever you are, no matter what your job or place of service, you'll usually find the people you compare negatively with are those who are gifted in areas similar to you, who have some of the same talents and are in the same, or a similar job.

38. Think of the most negative person you know, and then think carefully about the types of things they feel so negatively about. It's pretty easy to see that they're not seeing things clearly‚ that they are truly talented in some way, and that they're obviously voicing their negativity because they have been listening to the wrong side.

39. Now, as hard as it's going to seem, ask Me to help you to realize that what you're doing in thinking, and, likely, voicing the way you feel about yourself, is equally as unreasonable. Ask Me to help you to step out of the chains of negativity for a moment to see it in someone else, and then ask Me to give you faith to believe that it's possible that you're doing exactly the same thing‚ because you are.

40. I have given you everything you need to make it in My service, and more. I have given you unique gifts and talents to contribute to My work and My Family, and to reach and feed My lost sheep. Pray desperately, claiming the keys of heavenly perspective, and ask Me to give you faith to believe that it is possible for you to overcome, and for Me to give you total victory. Ask Me for the faith to make a serious commitment to overcome this evil attack of negativity step by step.

41. Once you do that, I'll give you the faith you need to start walking the road of change and renewal. Then immediately go to work taking steps toward victory. This is a battle you cannot fight on your own, so the next step is to ask Me who you should ask for help. I may show you to ask your shepherd, or a close friend, or your husband/wife, a parent, sibling‚ or someone you look up to. It's extremely important to ask Me, though, because I'm the only One Who knows which person or combination of people will be able to best help you‚ and I may have a very different idea of who that is than you do. So give Me a chance.

42. If you're a chronic negative thinker, chances are you've already exhausted your every resource in trying to win‚ so now it's time to step back and let Me do it for, with, and through you—My way. You'll be surprised at how I may tell you to do something that will seem completely illogical to you initially, but once you take the plunge and follow through, you'll find that it's that very path that leads you to victory.

43. Now you must go to whoever it is that I've shown you to ask for help and explain to them very honestly what you're up against. Chances are, they probably already have a pretty good idea of at least some of the battles you're facing, and will be more than happy to support you in your commitment to change—both in prayer‚ as well as practically.

44. There are many steps you can then take together that will get you going in the right direction, and later on, help you to stay on that path. Once you've talked with whomever I've showed you to talk with, you'll need to pray together and hear from Me together to get your specific battle plan. Each person and situation is different, and it's imperative that you get specifics from Me for your particular situation. Once you've heard from Me together, it would be helpful to write or type out the plan I give you. I'll give some general ideas here that you can choose from and confirm with Me if you like. (Note: Some of these ideas will be more feasible than others in your situation, especially in the case of those who don't live with other Family members.—Pray and ask the Lord how to apply this counsel, which of these points are important for you, and how you can achieve them.)

45. 4Help each other to hear from Me every so often by trading personal prophecy questions—as in you help the person you're teamworking with (in this case, specifically teamworking to overcome negativity with) to hear from Me about a question they'd like help with, and they hear from Me for you. This is especially helpful when you need to hear My encouragement, which is often difficult to do on your own while battling heavy negativity. (The person you're teamworking with doesn't necessarily have to be battling negativity. Maybe they're battling something else that you can support them in prayer for, or assist them in.)

46. 4Have Word time together as buddies, including some times when you specifically choose to not read anything related to your weaknesses or problems, but simply enjoy My Words together. Read testimonies, cool old Letters, or even spirit stories.* Ask Me specifically what Word will be most inspiring and enjoyable for you personally, for that occasion, and you may be surprised at how much fun you can have in My Word. That will boost your spirit tremendously. (*Note to AMs: If you need ideas, input, or resources to find such materials, please ask your shepherds.)

47. 4Set goals—little tiny ones at first—and then celebrate when you reach them. Even if your first goals are very small, and all you can do is stay positive and praising Me for one morning, that's progress, and progress is worth celebrating! Choose something beforehand that you like to do, and decide that you will do that together once you've reached your first goal.

48. 4Keep a log. Logs can be extremely encouraging and helpful. Start a special file or notebook where you keep records of your progress—everything from the day you first decided to take a renewed stand against this inroad of the Enemy in your life, to your first goals, when you reached them‚ your next goals, praise quotes and promises that help you‚ etc. That way, when you later slip and are tempted to fall back into the horrible pit of negativity, you have actual documented evidence of your progress, and it will encourage you to keep striving for even greater victories.

49. 4Ask Me for a plan of how you can actively reach out to help, encourage, and go out of your way to make at least one person's day significantly better every single day. This is very important. There's nothing that will lift you more and bring on positiveness than when you're actively brightening someone's day. You can't do that without forgetting yourself for at least a little while, and happiness thrives when you're not thinking about yourself.

50. 4Set a daily time to praise Me together (whether in person, or if applicable, over the phone or via instant messaging). Take this time to specifically turn all your worries, burdens, cares, and fears into praises. Even if you're having a terrible day, you can always think of ways things could be worse, and praise and thank Me that they aren't.

51. 4Ask Me for a picture of what the victory will be like, so that when things get rough you can keep your eyes on the goal and victories.

52. If you're the one someone has asked for help from:

53. 4Ask Me for an initial message on how you can help that person. Realize that you have an opportunity to help someone change their life for the better. Ask Me for the vision, the determination to help them pull through and not get discouraged when setbacks hit, the faith and patience and love needed for the task, a spirit helper who has expertise in this area, and all that you'll need to be a good spiritual support.

54. 4Ask Me for specifics on how to best encourage the one you're trying to help. Ask Me for new ideas of things you can do, or get others to do, that will mean the most to them personally. Ask Me how I want to show My love for them through you, and then follow through with whatever I show you.

55. 4Add that person to your personal prayer list, and faithfully pray for them every day. You can even ask Me for specific key promises to claim for them.

56. 4Write up and give the person a list of what you feel are their good qualities and strong points. Or hear from Me about what should be on the list. Choose or ask Me for a key promise to put at the top of the page that they can claim every time they're going to read the list, to help them to believe and accept it. You may actually want to write out what you think first, and then hear from Me about it. That way, it's obvious you see good qualities in them, and sometimes the personal touch is easier to understand and accept. But then also make sure to hear from Me‚ because I know so much more and can give the Words that will be most helpful in the long run.

57. 4Pray and ask Me for the gift of active encouragement, and then stay open to My voice. I will show you practical ways to encourage and uplift the one you are trying to help‚ and everyone else around you in the process, including yourself. Taking your time to help someone else is a win-win situation all around‚ and you'll be surprised at the tangible blessings I'll give you in return. For those battling chronic negativity, it's very, very difficult, and it's much more difficult for them to overcome on their own.

58. In unity there is great strength, and one of the great strengths of unity is to be able to support each other in overcoming your weaknesses. Never underestimate the power of unity when it comes to breaking bad habits. Having two or more people working together on it will bring the extra strength and power of spirit needed to break the bonds of negativity. (End of message.)

Preventive measures

59. (Mama:) Next, I have a good message to share with you‚ received by someone who had battled on and off with discouragement and negativity. This person has gained a lot of victories over the years, but still has to guard against this inroad of the Enemy and remain proactive.

60. (Jesus: ) To be forewarned is to be forearmed, but only if you do something about it, only if you're on the lookout for the Enemy's attacks. You must be on the lookout, My love, because I tell you that things in your life will never be perfect. Things will never be exactly as you desire them to be. There will always be disappointments that will come your way, or things the Enemy will use to knock you out and beat you to the ground. That's how he attacks you; that's how he fights you.

61. It doesn't matter what triggers the discouragement, because it's always going to be something a bit different. But what you have to start doing is recognizing when the discouragement has been triggered and go on the attack against it. Don't let the chain reaction of discouragement set in. It almost always starts with one little thing—one thing that bugs you, one thing you feel bad about, one thing that isn't going your way, one thing that makes you feel bored or unchallenged, one thing that makes you feel negative about yourself, one thing that isn't going as you had planned, or one failure. But then when you accept feeling discouraged or negative about that one thing‚ it leads to more.

62. One thought of discouragement leads to two, then three, and then more. Pretty soon you feel like you're surrounded in a haze of discouragement, and that dark clouds are overhead and there are no blue sunny skies at all anymore. That's because you didn't rebuke and resist the discouragement when it first set in.

63. The truth is that you feel like you deserve to feel discouraged. When something doesn't go your way, or you feel negative about yourself, or something isn't happening as you had planned, or you feel unloved as a result of something someone else has done, then you feel like you have every reason to be discouraged. And it even kind of feels good to have the "poor me's," at least in the beginning. And it's true, many times you do have every "right" to be discouraged, but that doesn't mean you should be discouraged!

64. Feelings such as discouragement and negativity and jealousy are natural, inborn reactions to things that happen in life—difficult situations or things that go wrong. These kinds of reactions are part of the nature of man, which the Enemy plays on and enhances and uses. So what you must do is pull out and destroy the wiring of your human nature and ask Me to help re-educate you to not react naturally but supernaturally.

65. That's what rising above is: It's a supernatural reaction. It's not natural to rise above. When something goes wrong, or you feel unloved or unneeded, or whatever the particular battle is, it's natural to get discouraged. But what you must do is will yourself into doing the supernatural thing and rise above. You must make the decision to fully yield and surrender yourself to the power of My Spirit.

66. It's not something that's going to happen overnight, but it is something you need to work on. You need to recognize when the Enemy is trying to get you to resort to your human nature that leads to the depths of discouragement, and then fight to live in the realm of your supernatural nature that leads to victory.

67. Victory and happiness don't come when everything in your life is peachy. Victory and happiness are the blessed results of living more in the realm of the supernatural than the natural. You're happiest when you choose not to allow the things of this Earth to get you down, when you choose to rise above.

68. It's like you're walking on a divided pathway. One side is the negative, the other side is the positive‚ and you choose by your decisions which side you're going to walk on. Regularly there'll be an obstacle in the way that you have to overcome. And once you hit that point in the road‚ you must decide which side you're going to walk on. Are you going to let the disappointment or difficulty make you negative and discouraged? Or are you going to say, "Praise God!" and then go on to walk in the positive lane?

69. You must learn to walk more in the positive lane. Where you sometimes get off track is when you hit an obstacle, or something comes up that makes you feel negative or discouraged. Then so very often you drift to the negative lane instead of making a conscious decision to fight for positiveness and the gifts of My Spirit that give you the power to rise above.

70. The more you can recognize when you make these negative decisions, the easier it will be to choose to walk in the positive lane of life.

Praise power

71. (Mama: ) As I said earlier, praise is an important antidote to negativity. Using the weapon of praise is probably the most important thing you can do if you're barraged with negativity. Even if that's the only spiritual weapon you use, I guarantee you'll give the Enemy a beating in the spirit.

72. (Jesus:) Make a continual and consistent effort to fill your mind, heart, soul and spirit, and even your body—your eyes, your ears‚ and your mouth—with fervent, sincere, and liberating praise to Me. If you only praised more, and used the weapon of active praise to Me, you would not struggle as much, for the Enemy would not be able to enter in with his lies and deceits when you are fully occupied with praise and love for Me.

73. Force yourself to praise Me more out loud. Praise Me privately and praise Me publicly. Don't be ashamed to lift your arms in love and honor of Me, and praise Me with all of your heart. Praise Me at every opportunity and praise Me even when all seems hopeless and you feel defeated, discouraged‚ and fearful. Memorize key promises on praise and let them fill your heart and run through your mind constantly. Sing songs of praise to Me; give Me your kisses and your caresses in the form of loving and adoring Me at every opportunity.

74. Remember, you don't have to feel inspired to praise Me. In fact‚ praising Me is something that you should do all the more when you don't feel like it. If and when you feel resistant to praising Me, know that the Enemy is really attacking you, because he's about to be defeated. So when you feel like that, it's a serious indication that you need to praise Me even more vigorously and fervently. (End of message.)

75. (Mama: ) If you'll begin today to take at least one of the steps the Lord has laid out in these messages, your life will significantly change for the better and you'll be on your way to a positive, praiseful new life!