Positivity

​Meditation
1 Samuel 23:15-17—David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in Horesh when he saw that Saul had come out to take his life. Then Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and encouraged him in his faith in God, saying, “Don’t be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you.  You yourself will be king over Israel, and I’ll be your second-in-command.  Even my father Saul knows it is true.”
 
Tom Rath describes the strength of positivity in Strengthsfinder 2.0 this way: “You are generous with praise, quick to smile, and always on the lookout for the positive in the situation.  Some call you light-hearted . . . people want to be around you.  Their world looks better around you because your enthusiasm is contagious.”[1]

I believe Prince Jonathan was a man of positivity.  His father, King Saul was paranoid and wanted to put to death David, Israel’s hero.  Jonathan saw nothing but upside with David.  He gave the shepherd-warrior his own armor, pledged eternal friendship with him, and did all he could to change his father’s mind about David.  While David was on the run for his lifeand doubtlessly felt discouraged, it was Jonathan who sought him out in the wilderness and blessed him.  What makes this remarkable was that his friend’s success would keep him from being king.  But Jonathan was not after power or the right to sit on the throne, he wanted what God wanted.  In a time of chaos and desperation, he broadcast hope.  

Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert cartoon, wrote in his book How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, “Adults are starved for a kind word . . . Positivity is far more than a mental preference.  It changes your brain, literally, and it changes the people around you.”  An optimist says “The glass is half full.” The pessimist says, “The glass is half empty.” The positivist says, “Wow, I get a glass!”  

Are you like a bright shining sun to those stuck in the fog? Thank you!  Keep looking for opportunities to lift the spirits of those around you.  God used Jonathan multiple times in the life of David to motivate, hearten, embolden and inspire him.  He will use you too!  Don’t let anyone kill your joy or sabotage that great spirit you convey.   You know that victory is ours in Jesus and your perspective is contagious.  Praise God.
 
Inspiration
I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess.  The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement.—Charles Schwab
 
©2017 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)
 
[1]Tom Rath, Strengthsfinder 2.0,  (Gallup Press, NY, 2007), p.141.