Make Your Default Intentionally Positive

As Africans, we can thank God for the abundant natural resources (including sunlight and wind) we have and the determination of ordinary citizens to make their lives better and continent great

By Tosin 'Badeniyi, PhD
- August 7, 2020

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This may be difficult to do if you live on the same continent as I do, where we are daily smacked by things that don’t make us happy. Bad roads, filthy cities, power cuts, corrupt politicians, public health care problems, joblessness, emigrating friends (we lose our young talent and highly skilled people to developed countries), high crime rate etc.

However, in the midst gloom, we can choose to look at a ray of hope around us and be genuinely cheerful. We can choose to show gratitude to God by thanking Him for good health, lasting friendships, eternal relationship, grace and mercy. As Africans, we can thank God for the abundant natural resources (including sunlight and wind) we have and the determination of ordinary citizens to make their lives better and continent great.

Take for example, sunny South Africa has the highest carbon content of electricity in the world signifying the enormous potential the country has to generate renewable and clean energy. Obviously, Africa’s growth potential offers untapped long-term returns. However, nothing gives light in darkness and optimism in the midst of despair like seeing with your spiritual eyesight. This allows you to see opportunities in the midst of problems and develop an attitude of expectancy and seize those opportunities.

Today, instead of constantly complaining about all those gloomy things I mentioned earlier, choose to look on the bright side and make your default intentionally positive.

“Take your Bible and take your newspaper and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.” Karl Barth

Tosin 'Badeniyi, PhD

Tosin ‘Badeniyi, a Professor at the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science at Durban University of Technology, South Africa, holds a doctoral degree in Food Science from University of Pretoria South Africa. Since 2001, he has conducted research and lectured internationally in the area of food quality and safety. He is the editor of Food Science and Technology: Trends and Future Prospects and has published numerous scientific publications as well as four inspirational books.