In the battle of feelings vs. facts we often struggle to think positively, because we are being inundated with all sorts of negative information all day long. While our brains are equipped with an incredibly powerful spam filter (we filter out about 99 out of 100 pieces of information that enter our brain), we have already discovered that we tend to filter out much that is good and retain that which is dark, painful, and distressing. In the 2nd chapter of his book, The Happy Christian, David Murray discusses the influence of media on our thinking.
GOOD NEWS > BAD NEWS = POSITIVE+
We tend to see what we want to see, or at least we find what we are looking for. If we search for errors and mistakes, we are likely to find them. But if we are on the lookout for good news, we will find that which is beautiful and encouraging all around. Pastor Murray suggests that we use the apostle Paul’s words as a guideline: “Brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8).
Paul is not saying that we should ignore the real world and live in a fantasy where everything is nice. He is saying, however, that we must choose to focus on things which are beneficial for our spiritual well-being. As Pastor Murray puts it, “it is a warrant, and even a demand, that we choose a deliberate imbalance in favor of what is inspirational and wholesome instead of the mainstream media’s imbalance on the side of what is dispiriting and gross.”
To this end, Paul gives us six keys to avoid being swept up in the current of negativity which leads to anxiety, hate, and depression, among other things. First, we need to focus on what is true, not false. Murray says, “Gather facts rather than opinions, and use the facts to influence your outlook and mood.” This will require us to do some research, and also to unfriend and unfollow those who constantly spread rumors, lies, and opinions devoid of the truth.
Second, we must choose what is noble, not base. This means we must reject the media’s tendency to publicize those things which are vile and to spotlight things that are broken. We should search out stories that inspire and elevate virtues like love, joy, gratitude, service, and hope.
Third, think about what is right, not wrong. Does popular culture celebrate right living and champion those who live by God’s moral standards? They are usually portrayed as out of touch and irrelevant. Murray writes, “Paul urged us to seek out and celebrate right behavior, courageous actions, hardworking parents, loving fathers, devoted mothers, respectful children, happy families, gentle caregivers, honest employees, fair bosses, and so on.”
Fourth, learn to love purity, not filth. Murray notes, “Even Christians find it hard to escape the tendency to turn from the light and to be attracted to the darkness.” We are constantly surrounded by things which are vile and impure, and we must make a great effort to think and talk about marriages that are faithful, young people that are godly, and even politicians that are honest (some do exist!).
Fifth, look at what is beautiful, not ugly. This can be very difficult, since our immediate surroundings do not always contain much beauty. Sometimes this means we need to take a break from our daily routine and get out into God’s creation to bask in the wonders he has made. Or it may involve searching for art or music that will inspire admiration and affection. Even in a fallen world, there is much beauty for us to find.
Last, focus on praise, not complaint. This is what Paul means when he says “things that are of good report.” This often has to do more with how we choose to react to things than with the things themselves. For instance, Murray suggests that we “Focus on what is constructive rather than destructive,” and “Feast on whatever makes people exclaim, ‘Well done!’ rather than what makes them say, ‘That’s terrible.’” This means we must sometimes avert our eyes from the latest disaster news and turn off the television and social media. We have to learn to shield ourselves and our loved ones from the constant flow of tragic world events and sensationalized headlines meant to manipulate our emotions.
And Murray points out that these principles apply to our ministry diet just as much as our media diet. This means that when we are ministering to others, we should focus more on our salvation than on the sin which made it necessary, more on teaching truth than exposing heresy, more on wooing others to become like Christ than warning them about the devil, more on the promise of victory by God’s grace than on the ongoing presence and power of sin, more on celebration than on lament, more on life than on death and suffering, and more on exercising our strengths than on overcoming our weaknesses. It’s not that we ignore the difficult realities of the Christian life, but rather that we choose a deliberate imbalance in a positive direction.
One practical exercise that Murray recommends at the end of this chapter is to spend just a few minutes every day recording three good things that happened that day. This may be around the family dinner table or in a journal for those who eat alone. Even unbelievers find the Three Blessings exercise leads to increased happiness and lowered depression over time, and Murray notes, “If unbelievers can accomplish this, how much more should Christians who taste God’s mercy and grace in every crumb and drop.”