In the blog How do you “Laugh it Off?” I said since laughter is not humour but a response to humour learning to laugh stuff off comes down to your attitude and choosing to find humour in your situation.

And that's true, but it raises the question “What if I can't?”

The answer begins at point five from How do you “Laugh it Off?”

Realize joy, true joy, is not self-centred. It's not about internal happiness or contentment. It's giving praise where praise is due. (Joy is not dependent on circumstances: Philippians 4:4, Matthew 5:11-12, Psalm 126, Nehemiah 8:10, Ezra 3:10-12)

When we find ourselves unable to think positively or be positive it is probably because we are prone to negativity. It's a bad habit that forms from years of hardening, selfishness, and self-centredness. Much of the time this develops as a way to cope with life's disappointments. And while it does dull the sting of displeasure it also stops you from having fun.

Chuck Swindoll calls this our “selfish syndrome.” And he teaches us how to go beyond our negative predispositions and move towards maturity in his message Don't Forget to Have Fun as You Grow Up.

Using Philippians 4 as its foundation this full-length message not only goes over what maturity is and how to recognize it in yourself and others, but how to take responsibility for your actions and let your attitude soar though your circumstances may lag.

From his message here are his three places to look in order to begin to think positively:

1. Look within and release. By searching within you'll likely come across some moments where you stopped being a giver, moments where you became more selfish. Let these moments go (Remember, you can do all things through Him who strengthens you [Philippians 4:13])
2. Look around and respond. Take the Apostle Paul's example—see a need, and fill it. Look around for some way you can bless someone else. Noticing needs in others is what an unselfish person does
3. Look up and rejoice. At some point every day look up and rejoice. Find something that brings you joy and thank God for it. Rather than waiting for someone else to make you happy, determine to be independently joyful (just like Philippians says in 4:4)

If this sounds like a message you'll enjoy then download it today! Don't Forget to Have Fun as You Grow Up is our free mp3 for September 2011.