HOW CAN YOU COMBAT Negative Feelings?

Focus On a Sure Hope for the Future

Even when we are under the most trying circumstances, we can keep our mind on good things. How so? God gives us a sure hope for the future.  The apostle Peter summed up the wonderful hope in these words: "There are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to [God's] promise, and in these righteousness  is to dwell." (2 Peter 3:13) What does that mean? 

The expression  "new heavens" actually refers to a government-God's heavenly Kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ.  "New earth" refers  to a new human society here one earth having God's approval. Under the rule of the "new heavens,"  the new earthly society will be free of all the things that cause negative feelings. Regarding faithful humans living then, the Bible assures us that God "will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore." -Revelation 21:4.

Surely you would agree that those are delightful, encouraging thoughts. That is why the Bible speaks of the future prospects God has provided for true Christian as "the happy hope." (Titus 2:13) If we focus our mind on God's promises for mankind's future-and on the reasons why those promises are reliable and sure-we push aside negative thoughts. -Philippians 4:8. 

The Bible compares our hope of salvation to a helmet.  (1 Thessalonians 5:8) In ancient times, a soldier would not dare engage in battle without his helmet. He knew that  it would cushion many a blow and cause many a missile  to glance off harmlessly. As a helmet protects the head, so hope protects the mind. Dwelling on thoughts that fill us with hope can keep us from negative, fearful, pessimistic thinking. 

So it is possible to confront negative feelings.  You can do it!  Contemplate how God views you, draw closer to him, and focus on your hope for the future. Then you can be sure that you will see the day when negative feelings are gone for good! -Psalm 37:29. 

Next time: DRAW CLOSE TO GOD -A "Hearer of Prayer"

From the Watchtower magazine, 2010