Overcome by Negativity?

It is amazing how much negativity there is going on out in the world? In the mail, on the news, from just talking to people--everything is so negative! The economy is terrible; prices for all necessities are going up; people running for election are bashing each other; whoever is elected will take away all of our freedoms and tax us out of all we own; businesses will fail; religious liberties will be gone; crime is up; the weather will be worse than ever this year; the bird flu or cancer will be the demise of our families; etc., etc. Whew! I understand some things are reality and truth, and with information comes power and thus the ability or necessity to act wisely. However, all of the negativity can be just plain overwhelming! It can get us down...then what good are we?
This reminds me of a passage in I Samuel 30. David and his men had been out to battle. When they returned home, they found their wives and children were taken by an enemy, and the whole city had been burned. Oh, and they were exhausted from their battle! They "...lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep." (vs. 4) David's men were so distraught that they were even considering sending David to an early grave. Talk about negativity...talk about being down! Then the Bible says, "...but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." (vs. 6) There was absolutely nothing else David could do but turn to God for his encouragement and peace. He couldn't even muster up enough oomph within himself to offer hope to his men--he had to turn to God for his strength. The account goes on to say that they were all able with God's direction and help to regain their families and eventually able to rebuild. Nehemiah 8:10 says, "...the joy of the LORD is your strength." There are so many things we can look to as blessings from God--as non-negative things. True there are some days that are so full of negativity that we have to make a conscious effort to count our blessings and be thankful for all of those little things---the beautiful redness of our maple tree; no colds in our family for three weeks; no bills in the mail today; our tummies are satisfied; we have winter coats; etc. And for those who know the Lord as their Saviour...there is the peace and promise of eternal life. Now how can one be full of negativity with that incredible promise!? With God's help and reading the Bible we can be encouraged, find positivity, and find hope to offer others in a such negative world. Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Count your blessings, don't perpetrate negativity, and with the Lord's help have "a merry heart". If we all work on this today, I know it will impact us, our families, and countless others.