Turn the Negative to Positive

Bad days, times of feeling overwhelmed, crisis and tragedy in your life - everyone goes through these times.  Yet, learning how to turn the negative to positive can and will bless you in the midst of whatever you may be going through at the time you are going through it.  Psalms 34 starts in the very first verse by saying, "I will bless the Lord at ALL times."  It doesn't say all times are good, or even all times feel good - no, it says I will bless the Lord at all times.  When we allow God's Word to penetrate our hearts and give His Word place in our minds (which means we meditate) on it, that Word will become alive and begin to transform our life by renewing our mind. 

I flew off to Washington this past weekend to minister in the incarcerated church, however, it was the first time I have flown since having the total hip replacement.  I arrived at the security checkpoint with about 15 minutes before my plane was to depart, so I was feeling anxious and didn't want unnecessary delay at the security checkpoint.  So I hurried over to a TSA agent, advised of my hip implant and could they take me aside and screen me, because the machine would go off.  He advised, "NO, wait in line like everyone else - the machine has to scan you."  So, as I'm watching the line and watching my watch - I'm almost certain, I'm going to miss my flight.  Well, I get to the machine and it signals that I must have something by beeping and the lights flashing.  I tell the TSA person, it's my hip - I've had a replacement.  Do they hear that - NOPE, turn around and go back through.  Jesus, you have to comply (I've seen enough TSA video that I don't need no trouble) so back through I go, the machine goes off again.  "Do you have anything in your pockets, belt on or..."  Nothing but a new hip I explain.  "Well you should of told us!  Step aside, we will have to do a pat down."  Really, I should of told you - FOR WHAT!  Not like you listen.  Anyways, a full pat down, an explosive scan and a check of my carry-on.  Ok, you're all good - enjoy your flight.  Enjoy my flight, my flights been gone for 10 minutes now, enjoy what flight?

I was frustrated and upset, I called my friend who would be picking me up in WA to advise I missed my flight and would call back with new details.  I text my wife, advised her I had missed my flight and would fill her in as well.  Well, the gate attendant wasn't too much more courteous than the TSA.  No compassion whatsoever and placed me on a flight in 3 hours.  I would ask a question and be shut down, even to the point of, "you could end up paying for another ticket you know?"  No, I didn't know - but it's cool, I'll shut up and eat this one.  Now I got 3 hours to sit around the airport, I can leave and come back, my wife can come have some b-fast with me - all these things swirling through my angered and frustrated mind.  However, I decide to simply sit and read my Bible and go over the messages for WA.  Use my time wisely I said, as I thought over and over how the TSA and gate agent had treated me.

So, while reading my notes, I come to page 2 which says, "don't take the negative, negatively - learn how to take the negative - positive..."  I felt like Wiley Coyote in the Road Runner when one of those heavy ACME anvils would fall on his head.  Here I was going to teach others how to take the negative positively and I was taking the negative - negative.  I had to laugh at myself, out loud too.  People glanced at me as I shook my head and laughed, repenting and saying sorry Lord, please forgive.  My phone rang, Pastor brother was on the phone, "man see if you can catch that Seattle flight, leaves in 40 minutes."  Ok, I agreed - thinking just another disappointment.  God is so good, He even works beyond our own level of simplemindedness.  Off to the agent I go, trying to smile and look so pitiful.  I'm on the .... to Portland but could I get the ..... to Seattle?  Let me check, ok are you sure you want Seattle instead?  Yes....punched a few buttons, I heard the printer zipping and she said, "thank you, here's your new boarding pass."  How can you not do anything but laugh at yourself.  I stood at that counter and laughed at myself, simply shaking my head.  A $300 upgrade at no charge, only a God like ours can do miracles like this.

Turn the negative positive.  Bless the Lord at all times, keep rejoicing as difficult as it may be.  Keep being thankful, grateful and appreciative to the Lord.  He has it all under His control, He's already worked it all out, He's already made a way and created a path in the wilderness.  Water from dry ground.  Enjoy your day - enjoy your life.  Lift your hands and simply tell the Lord, thank you.  I'm turning every negative - positive.  Expect the Great my friends, Be blessed.