What emotional response do people feel when they see you approaching or when they see your name pop up on their caller ID? Do they feel a sense of gladness, or do they feel a sense of dread? Is there the thought that this encounter will end with a feeling of encouragement, or is there the concern that you will feel dispirited when the conversation is over? 
Some individuals appear negative by nature. They seem to think their spiritual gift is the gift of criticism. They are usually unhappy about something and can always find ways to complain. They seem content only when they can share their negativity with someone else.
I have a couple names for these people: Debbie Downer and Negative Nelly. When I see them coming, my internal reaction is, “O, no! What are they going to fuss about this time?” I start emotionally gearing up to endure their pessimism and words of dissatisfaction. So frequently have I heard them complain that I automatically assume they are about to unleash another barrage of disheartening words. Honestly, I dread seeing them approach.
On the other hand, there are individuals who brighten my day. Even the mention of their names puts a smile on my face. They are cheerful. They are positive. They are grateful. Their words and their disposition nourish my spirit. I feel at ease around them and relax in their presence. Even if they occasionally point out something on which I can improve, they do it with such a loving, constructive spirit that I still feel encouraged. 
Two men in the Bible come to mind when I think of positive individuals. One is Caleb. He, along with Joshua, was one of the twelve spies who encouraged the Israelites to go and conquer the promised land when ten of them said it could not be done. Forty-five years later, when Caleb was 85 years old, he asked Joshua to permit him to go into battle to capture the hill country as the land for his possession (Joshua 14:6-15). That is positivity! Put men like Caleb on my team!
The other man is Barnabas whose name means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). Every time we read about Barnabas, he is supporting others and drawing the best out of them. He was forward-thinking. He was a can-do kind of man. He took discouraged individuals like John Mark under his wing (Acts 15:36-41) and mentored him until John Mark became a great asset to the kingdom of God. Put Barnabas on my team, please!
Examine yourself. Are you a Debbie Downer or a Caleb? Are you a Negative Nelly or a Barnabas? When others see you approaching, do you want them to say to themselves, “O, no!” or do you want their spirits to be uplifted? 
If you have the gift of criticism, ask God to take it away. Instead, pray that God gives you the gift of encouragement. Be a Caleb; be a Barnabas!
--Dan Dozier