Spiritually low
I would be a hypocrite if I would come here and say “Oh, my year is amazing.” We are in the middle of the year, and, from a young christian point of view, whose aim through this column is to discuss matters that my heart is curious about; it has been a frustrating ride!
Yet again I took an unplanned mental break from writing and creating. I was just not in the frame of mind I needed to be in order to get it done. In an early entry, I spoke about being stuck in a writer’s block! I am once again in that space of demotivation.
The expectations of people
I speak a lot about not pouring from an empty cup however, let us face the reality, a lot of us do pour from an empty cup because you don’t want to be a disappointment to others as well as the expectations of our relatives, friends and just society in general.
Sometimes, we know we cannot do something in a particular period of time however because of failing others we go beyond the empty cup and pour without foreseeing or ignoring the consequences to come after. You know what the surprising thing is? We pour from the empty cup and do so functioning as though the cup is full and all is well hence, those around us and those we come in contact with are not necessarily realizing the burn out we feel.
Tackling toxic positivity
In my opinion, I believe that church can be toxic! What do I mean by this? In the church, speaking from my experience in my neck of the woods.
When someone talks about having mental health issues, they are shunned, shouted down, ignored or just given the response, “Go and pray.” or “You are demon possessed and you need deliverance”
Christians, it is said, do not have issues like those and all the ignorant remarks that people make in the church regarding this dedicate topic, Which is a different article for a different time; if I am so lead to do I will write about.
However, I wanted to give an extensive and more in depth insight about toxic positivity but from a biblical standpoint and so, I did my research and I thought it would be kind to share with you.
What is toxic positivity?
“Toxic positivity is defined as dismissing or avoiding negative feelings such as sadness, anger, or fear by only acknowledging positive outcomes and emotions.”
(What does the Bible say about toxic positivity?, 412Teens.org)
While the bible does not mention the direct terms, ‘toxic positivity,’ it does give some very good advice; let’s take a look at some, according to 412Teens.org in an article titled What does the bible say about toxic positivity?
Scriptural advice on toxic positivity
1. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew chapter 6, verse 34)
2. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs chapter 14 verse 12)
3. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah chapter 17, verse 9).
See the inspired article here: Whatdoesthebiblesayabouttoxicpositivity?