You Really Do Need Negative People in Your Life

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 4:8-11

It is easy to find frequent blog posts and social media posts telling you not to allow negative people in your life. There are many quotes telling you how you can’t be positive if you hang around negative people or the top reasons why you should remove them from your life.

Does ejecting all the negative people from our life line up with the kind of life Christ has called us to live?

Sadly in our Western Culture we have made our Christian walk about us. It is all about our happiness, comfort and success. However the Bible tells us something different. Jesus himself did not come on his own. Remember John 3:16 For God so loved the world he gave / sent his only son.

Let me be clear, I am not talking about someone who is physically or severely abusing you emotionally. You clearly don’t need to be involved with those kind of people. (However, you can pray for them)

Are you really that weak?

So, who is influencing who? Is it possible when you live your life for others your positivity, and even greater your faith, will impact others?

Who will lead the negative person to the fullness found only in Jesus?

It is a good chance that negative person is not in your life by accident. Perhaps God has ordained and anointed you to lead them to a full and positive life in Jesus.

Instead of seeing your friend who is always negative as someone you need to eject from your life, see them as someone who desperately needs Jesus. 

Vision for a greater call

Acts 16:16-34 records a story when Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and thrown in prison for delivering a slave girl of a demon. (Her master could no longer make money off her fortune telling). I don’t know what it is like to be beaten with rods but it does not seem very comforting or happy. At midnight of the same day, Paul and Silas were singing and praising God. A great earthquake suddenly throws the doors open. If it would have been me, I would have ran out of jail as fast as I could but not Paul and Silas. They stayed put! That is right, they had been severely beaten and thrown in jail and they refuse to take advantage of an easy escape. However, Paul was not seeking his own safety and comfort; he knew there was something greater. Because Paul and Silas were willing to stay in prison they were able to lead the jailer and his entire family to a new life in Jesus.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:1-2

All In for Jesus

When we accept Jesus as our Lord our life is no longer about us. It is no longer about our safety, comfort and not even our happiness. We are called to go all in and live fully for God’s glory. It sounds strange and very selfish on God’s part but only when we die to our self and live fully for God do we find the best life; full of peace and joy no matter our circumstances and no matter how many negative people are in our life.

Prayer and Fasting

Who are the negative people in your life?

• Pray and fast for them. Pray they will find salvation and maturity as a disciple of Jesus
• Seek opportunities to encourage and lift them up.
• It may take some time, but stay the course. Their eternity may well depend on Jesus Christ in you. (Colossians 1:27)

Life really is better when we live to serve others. Negative people can be difficult but you are the one who by the power of the Holy Spirit have the greater purpose, call and opportunity to be an influencer.

photo credit: PeterThoeny A train ride with friendly ghosts via photopin (license)

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About the Author: Jon Stallings

I am enthusiastic about helping others discover their purpose and grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is great to see their eyes light up at their “Ah Ha!” moment when they discover they were created for something more. My hope is that this blog will help encourage and inspire you along your way. Join the conversation and take the time to share with me your own story. I have been married to my beautiful wife Janice for over 30 years. We currently live in McDonough Georgia with our daughter. Our two boys have left the nest and we have two wonderful grand kids. Of course we cannot forget about our dog Bear.