I love this biblical reminder from Paul because it’s not just a good message to hear every now and then. It is quite literally a reminder, the first word is “Remind the people.”

It’s almost like God knows that we are a forgetful people who will be distracted by our own emotion, rationality, and urges.

Titus 3:1-8 (NIV), emphasis mine:

Saved in Order to Do Good

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ² to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

³ At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,⁵ 

Yesterday, I read a blog post from a psychologist who was arguing that you can’t be “too positive” all the time. I guess he received commentary because he goes out of the way to remove negative comments from his site. It’s actually funny, this world seems to support positivity and motivation until it’s a consistent part of somebody’s character. When the good “vibes” become part of somebody’s personality, the world gets bored. The positive person’s life is no longer entertaining when they’ve managed to keep up the great physical and mental health.

Society wants to be happy until it’s time to be happy. We want all of psychology’s shortcuts and cheat codes. You know, all the mysterious answers about creating and maintaining a perfect life.

“What will motivate me into working harder?” “How do I stop procrastinating?” “How can I be smarter?” “How do I stay calm when things are…