When adversity comes, we can’t afford to indulge ourselves in negative thinking patterns. As Ann Spangler warns in The Peace God Promises: “. . . if we develop a pattern of negative thinking, we risk becoming ‘practical atheists’, people who call themselves Christians even though they think and act like atheists.” When you feel your thoughts drifting in that direction, commit to developing daily/weekly rituals or practices that will fill your mind with God’s truth- personal/group Bible study, regular church attendance, listening to Christian music, etc. Repeated implementation of your chosen rituals or practices fills your mind with positive thoughts, leaving no space for negativity to return.
