Sunny Days AheadSample

Silver Linings

You may have been given the advice to find silver linings in bad situations—that is, to try to find the good even when something is bad. But does this work? Is it helpful to add to our positivity tool kit?

It depends, says new research. If the situation is something we can control—for example, getting a bad test grade because we didn’t study—finding upsides can be unhealthy, as it kills motivation to change our behavior. Instead of looking on the bright side (“The test didn’t count for too many points . . .”), a healthier response is changing the behavior that caused the negative circumstance (“I’ll make sure to study next time”).

But when circumstances are outside our control, looking for silver linings encourages a positive mindset. Finding the good in hard situations helps us pass through the rivers and not be swept under. The fact that the Lord is with us through all our hard times is one huge silver lining! This truth can help us find peace in times of crisis.

Reflection:

Think through a few tough situations you’re experiencing now. Are these circumstances inside or outside your control? If they’re within your control, what can you do to create change? If they’re outside your control, what silver linings can you find?