Pondering in the heart

[Believer1997]

Neb ... that is a zillion dollar question. I've wondered the same before. Why is so easy to believe something negative someone says about us rather than the good things that people say? I've been burdened with focusing on some negative comment someone made to me rather than the positive things I know to be true... I think it is the enemy trying to undermine our Christian spirit and faith. I can find no other reason why it sometimes seems so much easier to harbor a negative thought or emotion rather than a positive or loving one. We need to check ourselves constantly on this, imo.

Someone told me one time that it takes many, many more facial muscles and concentration to frown than it does to smile - yet, as you walk on the busy city streets you see more people frowning than smiling.

[nebula]

I was thinking about something that made me feel angry a long time ago, and I was pondering what about the situation upset and hurt me as much as it did -

And I was thinking the bottom line was because I felt helpless. A friend had made himself feel better by one-uping me(though I doubt it was a conscious intention), and I felt belittled and defeated, and I couldn't make him stop laughing at me.

Then I thought of this thread and the question I posted and some of the responses, and some things seemed to click.

"Perfect love casts our fear because fear has to do with torment." (1 John something)

How much of our hatred towards people is stemmed from fear - and fear takes on many forms (helplessness being one)?

[Rick-Parker]

I think that it is easier to hate because it is more mental, not really heartfelt. To feel love, it takes more of an investment, that of the heart, mind and soul.