We have a 7-year-old flat top stove. The other day it quit – all four burners. Poof. Done.

Instead of spending more money fixing it, like we did two years ago, we found a really good deal for a new one. They came and installed the new stove, and I’m back to being spoiled by my wife’s fabulous cooking.

End of story, right? Yes. But, I could have mentioned every negative aspect about the failed stove. And that’s the point of this article.

Why Itemize The Negatives?

When something unpleasant comes our way, why itemize every negative aspect that goes with it? Oh no, now we have no stove for 5 days; we just had it repaired 2 years ago; why don’t things last anymore; here’s another unexpected expense; etc, ad nauseum.

There are people who not only itemize every single negative aspect related to an unpleasant situation, but then they repeat them to everyone they talk to. The conversation usually starts out, “Guess what happened now?”

And, sadly, once they list all the negatives related to that incident, they begin sharing all the negatives about a previous event. “And you know what happened before that?”

Yes, unpleasant things come our way, and there are always negative aspects or ramifications that accompany them. That’s called LIFE! But, we all choose what we focus on.

Positive Or Negative

Sometimes one might think that people who always seem to be so positive never have anything negative happen to them. Unpleasant things just seem to pass them by. They are so lucky!

On the other hand, it’s quite evident people who always complain and itemize all the negative things in their lives seem to have a lot of negative things happen to them. They are just so unlucky!

Luck has nothing to do with it. The reality is, we all experience unpleasant circumstances and events. And we all choose how we respond to our own circumstances.

God, Who designed our brains, has lots to say in His book about our thoughts. Our lives will move in the direction of our own thoughts – positive or negative. So why itemize the negatives? Let’s just replace the stove and move on!

Itemize The Blessings

Instead of itemizing the negatives associated with unpleasant events or circumstances, why not itemize the positives associated with God’s blessings? Thinking those thoughts remind us of His love and care to bless our lives, and they keep our minds moving in the direction of receiving His blessings.

Think of all the positive items you could associate with receiving an unexpected gift of $500. God inspired someone to give and they were happy to do it. Unexpected gifts are great reminders God hasn’t forgotten about you and that He is trustworthy.

With this gift, I can pay something that’s been on my mind for awhile. This took some pressure off. I can give a portion to someone else (if you practice giving and receiving). And, most of all, how grateful to God you are to receive.

Being grateful is a huge key in receiving God’s blessings. It reminds you that He is a loving God of blessings. It continues to reinforce in your mind that He is very trustworthy, and it keeps your mind looking to and expecting His blessings.

I need to end this article because supper’s ready. Mmmm, it smells so good! Our old stove broke and we replaced it.