My Father, protect me from negativity.  If I begin to think unkind thoughts about another, please draw me away from those thoughts.  Remind me of how negative thinking takes one into a downward spiral and away from You.

One of the hardest things for me is to stop thinking about is an offense, to not mull over how I was hurt.  Lingering on hurtful thoughts is unproductive and takes away precious moments that will never come again.   I pray to grow stronger in letting go of hurts and remembering this is just part of life here on earth.  Help me to not give up on others or myself.  I pray to use the lessons hurt brings and then step outside the pain and go on with You.

If I am with someone and they speak inappropriately, give me the grace to be silent and not a contributor to such conversation.   If there is a word I can say that will help the matter, please put that on my lips; otherwise, please button them.  I have enough regrets for words I wish I could call back; please keep me from adding to them.   Remind me to distance myself as quickly as possible, as negativity can sometimes gain a foothold simply by lingering too long in the wrong environment.

The answer to negativity is to lose ourselves in You, to focus on the good and beautiful.  On that, dear Father, help me to think long and often.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”  Philippians 4:8