I’ve been hearing a lot about “being positive” lately. It would seem that the greatest sin, the root of the world’s evils, is being negative. Now, I understand that negative thinking can drag people down, be unproductive and destructive, or turn people off. Although I don’t want to appear to endorse a negative mindset or support the negative approach many are taking, I wonder where truth and positive thinking are required to part ways.

Nobody wants to hear the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, especially when it is negative. Take the doctor’s dilemma. Should she be “positive” and encouraging and just stroke her patient with “don’t worry; you’ll be fine.” Or should she dash his hopes and shatter his world with the truth: “your body is riddled with cancer and we don’t know how much longer you’ll be able to survive this.” She may attempt to remain positive in her attitude as she shares this gut-wrenching news, but she would be guilty of malpractice should she choose to ignore the diagnosis and fail to share the “negative” situation with her patient. As unpleasant as it often can be, negative news must be shared, because it represents reality.

I have been involved in ministry for 41 years. I have sought to see the truth, believe the truth, and share the truth in love. I have always thought that ministry should be founded on the truth. And now that the truth is no longer in vogue, no longer valued, I still find that I cannot, for that reason, renounce it. I am convinced that it is needed now more than ever.

Do people seriously believe that maintaining a positive mental attitude while ignoring bad habits, destructive behavior, wasteful spending, shallow thinking and irresponsible living will really create “a positive environment” and yield a “good life?” Are we so shallow that we really believe it is more important to feel good about ourselves than to face the problems and challenges before us? How can we feel good about ourselves while ignoring “reality” staring us down? I don’t think that we should “throw in the towel” or give in to “self-loathing.” Obviously, remaining positive that things can change, that we can change, is important.

The truth does not need to be “negative” or bring on “negative thinking.” Even negative truth can bring positive change, when we face reality and and deal with it responsibly and appropriately. My positive attitude does not come from ignoring the truth, but by embracing it and determining that the God I serve, who says that he will be with me and enable me to overcome, will help me deal with whatever negative truth I face. The only way to move forward with positive change is to face the negative situation with grace and resolve. Otherwise, I will splash in “positive thinking,” while sinking in the pond of negative reality. While admitting the reality of a negative situation, I can remain positive in my attitude and hopeful in my situation, trusting in a God who will not let me go. That’s the TRUTH.