Positivity: A Christian Perspective

Even on Christian radio I will occasionally hear some advice on how to “overcome negativity” and “stay positive.” Not that positivity is bad in itself, but joy, hope, and contentment are much higher, more fulfilling, and more eternity-oriented pursuits.

In the 1950s, Norman Vincent Peale released The Power of Positive Thinking. His premise was right, that the way we think affects our moods and attitudes, but it was self-focused thinking, not God-focused. I see this as evidence that more people are beginning to understand what the Bible has said all along: As someone thinks within himself, so he is (Prov. 23:7). In other words, what we fix our thoughts on changes everything (Heb. 3:1).

The apostle Paul encourages Christians to think on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, and whatever is admirable (Phil. 4:8). We take every thought captive and make it obedient not to the principles of Peale’s positive thinking but to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). He is the object of our thoughts not because we want to avoid feeling bad but because He is so worthy.

God’s plan for His people is greater than positivity. We are to let Him transform the way we think and lead us into his good, pleasing, and perfect will. In the end, as someone once remarked, that is what makes Paul so appealing and Peale so appalling. Peale's focus was the positive. Paul's focus was the pure.

There seems to be pressure on all of us to constantly be happy. We are not sure how to deal with sadness or depth. This is one thing I appreciated about the recent film Inside Out. Emotions are a gift, and each one has a purpose. Happiness (or Joy, as portrayed in the film) is not the only healthy emotion. We need to realize the range of our feelings and how God has designed us in His image to experience complex emotions.

Negative thinking is not healthy, but I am not convinced positivity is the answer. “Be positive” is vague and at times inappropriate and simplistic. On the other hand, we are given the very practical but still not easy commands of rejoicing always, praying continually, and giving thanks (1 Thess. 5:16-18). As Christians, our goal is not to think positively but to think biblically. Our hope is not in the power of positivity but in our Prince of Peace.