Some people are naturally more positive or upbeat in their personalities. I am not one of them.

I am by nature more of a realist. In fact one of my choice expressions is, ‘well that is just reality!’ Even if not spoken, it is often in my thoughts as I evaluate life.

I really want to have a better outlook and a more positive attitude towards myself and others.

This has been my desire for awhile now and something I want to continue working on during this brand new year.

I will tell you honestly so far, this has not been easy. The old habits, ways of speaking and thinking, die hard. However, I did find an interesting scripture that will help me move ahead in this area.

Proverbs 11:27 says, ‘He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, but trouble will come to him who seeks evil.’

I did a word study on this phrase, ‘seeks good’ and found the Hebrew language sheds more light on this scripture for me.

According to an article on Hebrew4Christians, the one who seeks good is called shocher tov, ‘a seeker of good.’ The shocher tov uses the ‘good eye’ (ayin ha’tovah) to see goodness and worth in others.

The one who searches out evil however, is called doresh ra’ah, ‘a searcher of evil.’ The doresh ra’ah has an evil eye that is critical, faultfinding and full of evil intent.

Proverbs 28:22 states, ‘He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.’

The overall meaning is when you seek the good of others, you will find God’s favor (ratzon), but when you search for evil in others it becomes your own.

This made me realize I can choose to view all things through a good or evil eye. According to scripture favor will come if I look  for the good, but trouble if I look for evil. I believe I can cultivate seeking good in others, myself and the world by using the ‘good eye’  in all circumstances.

I found a contemporary version of Proverbs 11:27 which sums this up very simply:

“Anyone can find dirt in someone. Be the one who finds the gold.”

Here’s to being ‘a seeker of good.’  Happy New Year everyone!

Source:

• Shocher tov: Hebrew4Christians