Negativity and positivity bias
by Jane Mueller
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‘Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope’ (Romans 5:3,4).
From minor annoyances to major disasters, our bias towards a specific episode of suffering can change over time.
Psychology research shows that, in our human condition, our short-term attention is biased towards negativity while our long-term attention is biased towards positivity. Typically, we tend to reflect on past episodes positively regardless of how we felt at the time. This is, at times, attributed to how reflection exposes the benefits and growth that evolves through suffering. When we are in the moment, in our brain’s effort to protect us from imminent harm, our negativity bias tends to kick in, warping our vision of long-term positive outcomes.
God gets our attention through suffering as we are reminded of our dependence on him. Suffering stimulates our thirst for him; it is an invitation to draw near to him. And his response reveals his sovereignty. When suffering strikes and adversity sets in, an earnest heart of thankfulness and trust reminds us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.
There is no need to run and hide from suffering, and there is no need to allow our negativity bias to kick in, because God brings good out of all things. We know that suffering produces: it accomplishes, it generates, it engineers endurance, character and hope. And with hope, we’re never left short-changed.
Lord God Almighty, I accept all my sufferings in your name, and I offer them to you to use for your purposes. Teach me to rejoice in these times, knowing they are a means of producing hope and drawing closer to you. Amen.
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