---
title: "Factfulness: The Negativity Instinct"
description: Discover practical strategies to overcome the negativity instinct in church leadership, celebrate victories big and small, and foster hope within your ministry community. Tune into the latest episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast for valuable insights and actionable steps.
image: https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/Factfulness%20The%20Negativity%20Instinct.png
---

[Skip to content](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/overcoming-negativity-instinct-church-leadership-celebrate-victories-172#main-content)

[![cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95.webp?width=342&height=95&name=cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95.webp "cropped-chemistry_logo_homepage-342x95")](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/)

- [How We Help](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/what-we-do/) 
    - [How We Help Candidates](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/)
    - [How We Help Churches](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/church/)
    - [Our Team](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/team/)
    - [Our Mission & Strategy](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/what-we-do/)
- [Churches](https://chemistrystaffing.com/church) 
    - [Hire New Staff](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/2021-churches-new-staff-hiring/)
    - [Free 30-Minute Church Consult](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/)
    - [Chemistry Solutions – You Don’t Have to Do Ministry Alone](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/solutions/)
    - [Final Fit Assessment](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/final-fit-assessment/)
    - [Senior Pastor Succession](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/succession/)
- [Job Seekers](https://chemistrystaffing.com/candidate) 
    - [Add My Resume / Profile](https://chemistry.fyi/kwq)
    - [Current Openings](https://chemistrystaffing.com/jobs)
    - [Free Resume Assessment](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/free-resume-self-assessment/)
    - [Step-by-Step Job Search](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/cjb)
    - [How Chemistry Can Help](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/)
- [Resources](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate/) 
    - [Free Playbooks & Downloads](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/)
    - [Chemistry Blog](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/)
    - [2024 Youth Pastor Compensation Survey](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/resources/2024-yp-compensation-survey/)
- [Contact Us](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/) 
    - [Candidates](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/candidate-contact-page/)
    - [Churches](http://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/)
- [Find a Job](https://chemistrystaffing.com/jobs)
- [My Church is Hiring](https://www.chemistrystaffing.com/lets-talk/)

[Leadership](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/tag/leadership)

# Factfulness: The Negativity Instinct

Discover practical strategies to overcome the negativity instinct in church leadership, celebrate victories big and small, and foster hope within your ministry community. Tune into the latest episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast for valuable insights and actionable steps.

![](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/Factfulness%20The%20Negativity%20Instinct.png)

# Overcoming the Negativity Instinct in Church Leadership

One of the challenges church staff often face within their roles is the “negativity instinct"—a tendency to focus on what's wrong rather than celebrating what's going well. This perspective can hinder our growth, dampen our spirit, and prevent us from fully acknowledging all the ways in which our ministry is thriving.

## Understanding the Negativity Instinct

As discussed in our recent episode of the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, the negativity instinct is our inclination to believe that things are getting worse, even when facts suggest otherwise. Whether it's declining church attendance, financial struggle, or the ceaseless pressure to do more with less, church staff can easily get caught in a vicious cycle of negativity.

However, by giving in to this instinct, we risk missing out on the joy of celebrating small victories and recognizing God's work in our midst. Moreover, it can lead to burnout and a feeling of hopelessness.

## Overcoming the Negativity Instinct

In "Factfulness," Hans Rosling provides practical strategies to combat this negativity instinct. He advises us to expect the bad news and actively seek out good news that promotes hope and progress.

Within a church context, this means we should actively focus on the positive—celebrate when lives are transformed, commend the strides our ministry is making, and share these stories of hope and transformation with others. By purposefully tracking and celebrating our accomplishments, we can help shift our mindset from an instinctual focus on negativity to an intentional focus on growth and transformation.

## Next Steps for Transforming Our Perspective

Here are some steps I recommend taking to challenge your own negativity instinct:

1. Practice gratitude: Take time to reflect on the blessings in your life and ministry.
2. Share the good news: Make a conscious effort to share stories of hope and transformation with your staff, congregation, and community.
3. Look for the other side: When confronted with negative news, consider whether there's another perspective or if there are unseen blessings at work.
4. Focus on the long term: Progress often happens slowly and incrementally, but every small step forward is still progress.

By resisting the negativity instinct and choosing to celebrate our small and large victories, we empower ourselves and our church communities. Our God is a God of hope and transformation, and we can choose to focus on His faithfulness and goodness in all situations.

For more in-depth discussion on overcoming the negativity instinct and fostering hope within your church community, tune into today's [Healthy Church Staff Podcast episode](https://www.buzzsprout.com/2210840/15668658).

### [![Todd Rhoades](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b) Todd Rhoades](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/author/todd-rhoades)

Todd has invested over 30 years in serving churches, having served as a worship pastor for over 15 years, a church elder for more than a decade, and in various ministry leadership roles in both the business and non-profit sectors. As the original founder and developer of ChurchStaffing.com, Todd fundamentally changed the way thousands of churches search for pastors and staff on the internet. Todd is a graduate of Cedarville University, and lives in Bryan, OH with his wife, Dawn.

[![Facebook Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/toddrhoades3) [![Twitter Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com/toddrhoades) [![Linkedin Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/linkedin.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddrhoades/) [![Website Author](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/web.svg)](http://chemistrystaffing.com/todd-rhoades)

## Latest Resources

Browse Articles

![What's Actually Killing Your Church? The Surprising 250-Year Diagnosis](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_158.png)

#### What's Actually Killing Your Church? The Surprising 250-Year Diagnosis

Church decline isn't what you think. Discover what's really threatening the church today vs. 1776 and the 1900s—and why low numbers aren't ...

![What's Actually Killing Your Church? The Surprising 250-Year Diagnosis](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b)

###### Todd Rhoades

July 07, 2026

![Stop Apologizing for Small Groups: Why Your ](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_126.png)

#### Stop Apologizing for Small Groups: Why Your "Failed" Bible Study is Actually a Discipleship Goldmine

When attendance drops in your small group discipleship ministry, don't panic. Discover why smaller groups create deeper disciples and stron...

![Stop Apologizing for Small Groups: Why Your ](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b)

###### Todd Rhoades

July 06, 2026

![Stop Screening Out Your Best Candidates: Why Competency Matters More Than Seminary Degrees](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/hubfs/blog-images/featured/featured_142.png)

#### Stop Screening Out Your Best Candidates: Why Competency Matters More Than Seminary Degrees

Church hiring practices may be filtering out incredible candidates. Learn why competency should trump credentials in your ministry staff se...

![Stop Screening Out Your Best Candidates: Why Competency Matters More Than Seminary Degrees](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/883a0d42581424e9bbe7c77dccfeed6b)

###### Todd Rhoades

July 06, 2026

[![Elements Logo](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/logos/logo.svg "Elements Logo")](http://chemistrystaffing.com)

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consecteturor adipiscing elit. Tincidunt donec vulputate ipsum erat urna auctor. Eget phasellus ideirs.

###### Menu

[Home 1](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/home/1)

[Home 2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/home/2)

[Home 3](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/home/3)

[About 1](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/about/1)

[About 2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/about/2)

[Contact 1](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/contact/1)

[Contact 2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/contact/2)

[View More](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/)

###### Company

[Team v1](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/team/1)

[Team v2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/team/2)

[Team Member](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/team-member)

[Pricing 1](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/pricing/1)

[Pricing 2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/pricing/2)

[View More](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/)

###### Resources

[Blog v1 cms](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/blog)

[Blog v2 cms](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/blog)

[Blog Post 1 cms](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/blog/elements-blog-2-0-0-1-1)

[Blog Post 2 cms](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/blog/elements-blog-2-0-0-1-1)

[Case Studies](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/case-studies)

[Case Study](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/case-study)

[View More](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/)

###### Landing Pages

[Form v1](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/form-landing-page/1)

[Form v2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/form-landing-page/2)

[Simple Form](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/simple-form-landing-page)

[Full Screen Video](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/full-screen-video-landing-page)

[eBook v1](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/ebook-landing-page/1)

[eBook v2](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/ebook-landing-page/2)

[Webinar](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/webinar-landing-page)

[Conference](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/conference-landing-page)

[Schedule a Demo](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/schedule-a-demo-landing-page)

[View More](https://blog.chemistrystaffing.com/)

[![Visit facebook](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/) [![Visit twitter](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/twitter.svg)](https://twitter.com) [![Visit instagram](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/instagram.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/) [![Visit linkedin](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/linkedin.svg)](http://www.linkedin.com/) [![Visit youtube](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/youtube.svg)](https://youtube.com) [![Visit telegram](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/telegram.svg)](https://telegram.org) [![Visit whatsapp](https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/8768169/Elements/Theme/icons/social/whatsapp.svg)](https://whatsapp.com)

Copyright 2026 | Chemistry Staffing