Our attitude determines our altitude. How high, how far, how long, we can go in life.
The definition of attitude is: a settled opinion or way of thinking, and our behavior reflecting this.
Attitudes are important to God. He is interested in our attitude. He does looks at them. Man is prone to look at the external, but God looks at the internal, because the attitude of our hearts is the real us.
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” ((1 Samuel 16:7)
We are who we are because of the attitudes of our heart. “In all our doing, what is our attitude?”
I always think it’s great to study and draw lessons from those who do things well. We can then apply what we learn to our own life.
Paul in the bible is an example of a man with a great attitude. Actually this man had an amazing attitude. He suffered persecution, rejection, beatings, abuse, and ridicule; not to mention being stoned, suffering through shipwrecks, imprisonment, and deadly snake bites. (2 Corinthians 11:23-29)
Philippians 4 is an exhortation for us to rejoice at all times. “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.” Paul wrote those words whilst in prison. The word joy or rejoice occurs 16 times in this one letter.
But through it all he learnt that when he was weakest, then he was in fact the strongest. (2 Corinthians 12:10) How could he say this? Because he discovered the secret of facing every situation and circumstance. He said. “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13)
Paul recognized how much He had in his relationship with Jesus. His secret, and abiding strength and contentment was found in a living vibrant, close relationship with Jesus. He said “ I consider everything rubbish compared to the greatness of knowing Jesus”. (Philippians 3:8)
That was the key to why Paul had a great attitude. He recognized the privilege, awesomeness, and preciousness of knowing and having a relationship with Jesus. He had lost everything to have that. He’d been a “high flying”, who’s who of his community; he was respected, and important. Yet he states emphatically that it was all rubbish in comparison to what he had in knowing Jesus.
In contrast to many of us today, Paul knew what he had! He knew that all the prestige and the success in the world meant nothing compared to what the love, forgiveness and completeness he had found in Jesus. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life” (Matthew 16:26)
Paul celebrated that all day. It was integral to his great attitude. He said, “celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him”! (Philippians 4:4-5 – Message translation)
He celebrated God in the worst circumstances.That relationship strengthened him, and because of his great attitude, and his refusal to be miserable, Paul touched God’s heart.
How’s your attitude? How is it at work, at school, towards your parents and/or family, your relationships, and towards God. How is your attitude when pressure comes? What is going on in the inside?
Its easy to have a great attitude when things are going our way. But what is our attitude truly on the inside? When we are under pressure, stressed, disappointed or in pain?
If you have realised you need an attitude adjustment there is good news for you. Attitudes can change! We are all a work in progress. We are Gods masterpiece, His work of art ( Ephesians 2:10) and He promises that, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1: 6)
Today begin to cultivate a great attitude. Start to celebrate your life; what you do have, and that you can know and have a relationship with Jesus. He has the ultimate great attitude. We become what we behold, so look to Him and let His attitude become yours.
Prayer: Lord thank you that in you I can have a great attitude. Help me to celebrate knowing you, having life, having hope and knowing your forgiveness. Help me in all circumstances to know that you are with me, and will lead me through, even if that means at times I may need an attitude adjustment. In Jesus name Amen
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