May God bless you for wanting to help and encourage your friend .. it's certainly not easy, and no fun to be around someone with a negative attitude. I know this because I once was one of those negative people myself.
The one verse that always comes to my mind when I am tempted to self-pity is Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" - not some things ... not just the things we understand, but ALL things.
Put that together with Phillipians 2:14 "Do all things without complaining ..."
Maybe you could point her to the stories of Job, of Jonah, and of Paul and Silas when they were singing praises even though they were in chains in a prison ...
Making a gratitude list is a great tool for getting rid of a negative spirit. Finding 3 (or more) things to thank God for each morning can really make a difference in the attitude you start the day with. It might have to start with very basic things such as thanking Him for a roof over your head, or being able to see or to walk etc... As you help her practice being grateful, I'm sure there will be many things that come to mind that may have been overlooked before
The Holy Spirit gave me this poem a few years ago ... maybe you might like to share it with her ....
Troubles Come, and Troubles Go
I lost my job the other day
My old hound dog; he ran away
My wife and kids; they up and split
The outhouse burned when lightning hit
My next door neighbor borrowed my truck
Drove it off a bridge when the brakes seized up
Now troubles come and troubles go
But none of them can take my soul
'Cause God is in control today
It just gives me more time to pray
Satan tries to change my mind
About my Saviour's love, divine
Some things are kinda hard to take
But I'll persevere for Jesus' sake
It's all part of the Master's plan
And all I have to understand
Is that when I'm weak then He is strong
And on my knees is where I belong
Some glad day I'll wear a crown
In a place where Satan can't be found
I'll be rewarded for my faith
Up there inside those pearly gates
Yep, troubles come and troubles go
But none of them can take my soul!
I pray that God will bless you both as you seek to encourage and help your friend.
love, hugs, 'n prayers to you both!
Susan
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