Articles
Turning Negatives into Positives
“Even a negative situation still holds the potential to produce a positive purpose! “ (Craig Groeschel).
We never think about this much, but it is true. During our recent winter debacle many were, at the very least, inconvenienced and some were placed in danger. Yet stories of the best of humanity have been told. People inviting neighbors into their homes, food prepared for a whole neighborhood by one family, water being provided for whole communities, etc. The worst of times has been an opportunity to show the best of humanity. In the main, we really are the kind of people who care for neighbors and each other.
Over the years that has been demonstrated by brethren. In floods, draughts, and famines, brethren have opened themselves to giving in order to help each other. But this was mankind in general demonstrating the best of mankind. Actually, those attributes are the norm, not the exception. It is just that the “junk” gets more attention. I miss Paul Harvey for a number of reasons, but especially this one. He always had a part of his broadcast in which he would highlight acts of kindness, heroism, and genuineness. Tragedy, disaster, and storms are opportunities to see those qualities.
But, on a deeper level, the most negative situation holds the potential to produce a positive result. Think about the cross. Has there ever been a more negative situation? And yet it produced the best possible result. The pain, suffering, torture, and death of Jesus enabled man to have a sacrifice for his sins. The crucifixion opened heaven’s door to provide forgiveness for man in his worst of circumstances…lost. That circumstance was turned into man’s best possible opportunity: salvation.
Again, think about Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus, ready to persecute Christians, even to their death. The worst possible thing happened to him. He was blinded. Yet that situation held the potential for the most positive outcome. Ananias taught him the gospel. He was saved and, from then on, the lost were taught, believed, obeyed, and became Christians. Saved! Saul called himself the worst. Yet, he turns out to be the best. He calls himself the least among the apostles, yet writes fourteen of the twenty-one epistles. Many were saved because of his preaching and his influence.
Now, what about me and you? What is it for us that has been the worst possible thing to happen, that holds the potential for the best possible purpose?
Rickie Jenkins
