A NEW ATTITUDE

A NEW ATTITUDE

Attitude ... will make or break a company. . .a church. . .a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. . . we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one thing we have, and that is our attitude. . . I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.” -- Charles Swindoll

There's a song that was popular some years ago called "A New Attitude." It's a secular song but the song's writer knows what it takes to have a better outlook on life. One line of it says:

… I'm feelin' good from my head to my shoes

Know where I'm goin' and I know what to do

I tidied up my point of view

I got a new attitude

The Bible contains some of the best mental and emotional therapy that will help you change your attitude and, in the process, transform your character. You'll feel better from your head to your shoes. No charge.

Prov. 17:22 - A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Prov. 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

I Cor. 4:21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

Eph. 4:2-3 - Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

I Thess. 2:6-7 - We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.

I Pet. 3:3-4 - Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

Galations 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Let your speech be with grace, seasoned with salt.

Jesus's Sermon on the Mount found in the 5th chapter of Matthew, includes the Beatitudes. Beatitudes is a fitting name for that section of scripture because it identifies the attitudes we're to have and the blessings we will receive for displaying those attitudes -- for real and not fake. A few of the Beatitudes speak of the suffering some Christians endure for Christ's sake and the reward they will receive if they do.

THE BEATITUDES OR THE "BE ATTITUDES."

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 

12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Keeping a journal will help you stay on track of your journey to create a better attitude. You could title it "The Better Attitudes." Note your ups and downs. Identify your moods and why you feel the ways you named. Take into consideration that you're always more negative when you're overtired, not feeling well, or are stressed. It passes. Like the old saying goes "This too will pass," or "This day too will pass." I used to tell my daughter when she was upset at the end of the day, "Tomorrow will be a better day." The problems won't go away overnight but they're easier to deal with when you are rested and refueled. 

Everyone faces trials. They are part of life. We don't get to pick and choose which ones we want and don't want to experience. We have to take life as it comes, accepting what we cannot change and giving our burdens to the Lord to bear. Putting life in the proper perspective gives us a much better outlook for the day and for the future. 

People will want to hang around with you because your new attitude will make them feel better too. Smile often, even if you just have every other tooth. Smiling takes years off your age and takes precedence over your attire when meeting someone. You will deliver a positive impression and you might make them feel good from their head to their shoes.

Give it a try. It can't hurt, guaranteed.