Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis

When I brought home a bunch of slightly green bananas and placed them on our kitchen counter with bananas from the previous week, within a few days the green bunch turned brown, even before they had chance to become yellow.

I decided to investigate the phenomenon to see if there was a logical explanation as to why our fruit spoiled so quickly.

After reading through a few articles on the Internet, I learned that as fruit matures, it releases ethylene, a gas which accelerates the ripening process.  Apparently, the ethylene gases from the older bananas caused our new bananas to brown before their time.

I now understand the meaning behind the saying, “One bad apple spoils the whole bunch.”

It’s true for fruit, and it’s true for our relationships.

Have you ever noticed how quickly optimism spoils in the presence of a naysayer or hopefulness fades in the company of despair?

“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Negativity releases toxins into our relationships and robs the people we care about of optimism and joy. Satan thrives on our pessimism and uses it to his advantage.

“I don’t mean to be negative but…” or “I just need to vent…” These are intro statements that provide fertile soil for the enemy. I can almost imagine Satan and his minions dancing around our destructive conversations, eager to fuel more misery. Before we know it, toxicity levels escalate to lethal proportions, slaying all hopes for positive objectivity in those around us.

We all need a listening ear now and then, so how can we keep our pessimism from infecting others?

We need to go to Jesus first.

When we take our dejected hearts to Jesus, we receive empathy and godly wisdom that lifts our spirit from despair. God truly understands our challenges and weaknesses because He himself experienced them.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

Jesus not only experienced our challenges and weaknesses, but He also knows how to overcome them.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

The Lord is not adversely impacted by our negativity like the people around us. Therefore, as we openly and honestly share our feelings with God, He is able to listen with compassionate objectivity and direct our minds towards positive, life affirming thoughts.

Positive thoughts lead to positive speech, and positive speech leads to a positive attitude.

“Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:20)