Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Nneka Okumazie
The danger of negativity is that it becomes a slippery slope to the unknown. The rise of anxiety, fear, panic, etc. amid the coronavirus lockdown is signal to what had been noiselessly simmering on – several – minds, but had the spark to splatter in the pandemic.
Everyone often downplays the power of how worse anything can get, especially if coming in micro forms.
There are people who love certain kinds of entertainment, or sports, but became ho-hum except certain stuff are seen, heard or felt; which is like a humongous bend from where they started.
The deep depth that negative or bad things go is not just a risk to the individual, but to the others –near or far.
In a time when people feel they have all the knowledge, or their personal experience or some quote or some freedom is the answer, or that nothing similar had ever happened, or that history is useless, or they are so unique, or tell others to do you, or say whatever is done in private doesn’t matter, negativity is widely obtainable.
There are things said, seen, felt, desired or promoted that came from a negative direction.
Many have fallen into deceit of what they think they want, or what they think would be good for them, until they had it – and found that what a vacuum.
There are many who can be regarded as fairly comfortable, or materially better than others, but are also sucked into negativity. Everything they have is seen as useless, so they remain dependent on something else.
There are many who take for granted the powerfulness of negative thoughts. There are many who play down an important verse in the Scriptures, saying death and life are in the power of the tongue.
There are things that should never be said, to self or to others. There are thoughts to never be welcomed.
There are things on social media not to participate in. There are negativities, mockery, insult, hate, gloating, knocking others when down, casting stone, judging looks or class, normalizing something despicable, haughtiness, seeking praise, etc. that are slippery slopes on social media.
There are many other slippery slopes too. All kinds of sexual immorality start on the mind, becoming a slope for infidelity, disease, violence, etc.
[Matthew 5:28, But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.]
It is important to flee negativity. One way devout Christians do so is to study the word of God.
They know that Salvation should be worked out with fear and trembling.
Studying is a way to draw close to God and for God to draw close.
It is also a way to watch, and then a way to learn how to pray, seeing how some made mistakes and to pray against doing same.
Lots of people are taking their lives amid the coronavirus pandemic. Some are physically or verbally abusive at home. Some are very anxious. Some have things that should make them comfortable but seem unsatisfied and have their mind empty.
But all negativities are channels for something worse, including how suicidal thoughts for some become the action.
It is better to say back – in the heart or out loud that by the Blood of JESUS and His Mercy this is rejected, doing so in acceptance of the spirit of God.
[Romans 8:11, But if the spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His spirit that dwelleth in you.]
