How to Change a Negative Attitude

You know it’s a problem. You may not want to admit it to those close to you, but you are a critic. If there is something negative to be found, you find it. Whatever organization you are part of, work, school, even church, you always seem to know what “they” are doing wrong, and of course, you know better.But the truth is, you don’t know better. Thinking you always know better is arrogance. You being a critic might be a response to envy, insecurity, or perhaps, boredom, but whatever the source, it’s zapping the life out of you and killing your most treasured relationships. And it sure isn’t making you happy.So how do you overcome a negative attitude?

• Confess – Confess your criticism and judgmentalism to God as a sin and ask him to forgive you. But then you also need to confess it to some people who are close to you, people who love you, and already know that it’s a problem. This probably includes someone who has tried to talk with you about it at some point. Ask them to remind you when you slip back into it.
• Imitate – Identify someone who is very different in this area, someone who seems to attract friends and easily encourages others, rather than feeling the need to always critique. This was a huge help to me years ago when I had slipped into a habit of negativity. A friend I admired who had a perpetually positive attitude became my example. When I couldn’t picture him approaching a situation the way I was, I was able to change my outlook (Philippians 4:9).
• Encourage – Pay attention to your words. Critical attitudes need the fuel of words and other critics to flourish (Proverbs 26:20). You can kill that negativity by saying words that neutralize your cynicism. Find genuine things to say that are positive and encouraging. Your words affect others, but even more-so, they affect you. So make them positive (Ephesians 4:29).
• Pray – Ask God to help you practice Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

You don’t have to live this way anymore. It might be a lifelong habit, but isn’t it time to put that ugly beast to death? Hasn’t it robbed you of joy long enough? Hasn’t it done enough damage to your relationships? With God’s help, you can whip that stinkin’, critical, arrogant, negative way of thinking and speaking.But first, you’ve got to admit it.