Attitude Check!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8

					Aways
					Try
					To
					Invoke
					Thoughts
					Utterly
					Deemed
					Excellent

There’s a saying, “Attitude is everything.” If you think about it, that’s a very deep statement. How you react to a situation, text message, conversation, world event, etc., impacts not only you, but those around you. Just as misery loves company, so, too, laugh and the world laughs with you! Personally, I’d much rather be around a positive person than a negative one. (Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. Proverbs 18:21) As for me, I choose life!

I tend to be a “glass half full” person, always looking for the good in a situation. Even in difficult times, I often find myself saying, “Well, at least…” The Lord doesn’t want us to dwell on all that could go wrong. Worry and negativity aren’t healthy or productive! (“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:27) I’m not saying to live in denial, but look for what is good and right and praiseworthy in it. There is always something to praise God for. I remember one time, while a friend was washing dishes, one of the cups broke. She said, “Praise the Lord!” When I asked how she could praise God for that, she replied, “It was still dirty, so I didn’t break a clean dish. Plus, I didn’t cut myself with the broken pieces.” That’s definitely turning a negative into a positive!

There are few things in this life we can control. But the one thing we can always control is our attitude. There was a saying at a camp I used to attend. Someone would shout, “Attitude check!” and we would all respond, “Praise the Lord!” It was a good reminder to check our disposition. Whatever attitude we choose will influence our actions. Bad attitudes tend to result in bad outcomes. Whether it’s internal (stomach aches, headaches, depression, etc.) or external (impatience, temperamental, argumentative, critical, etc.), it will affect us and those around us. Positive attitudes tend to bring about positive results. We feel better emotionally and physically and tend to get along with others better. (A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22) Note, there’s a difference between being joyful and being happy. Happiness tends to be achieved externally and is temporary. Joy goes deeper. It’s internal and sustaining because it doesn’t depend on outside forces. It focuses on what is good and righteousness and pure. (Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8) Focus on the good in things and your joy will be restored.

Our thoughts are powerful. They shape our attitude. (Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. Proverbs 4:23) Remember the children’s song “Oh Be Careful Little Eyes”? One of the phrases is “Oh be careful little mind what you think.” There’s a lot of truth in that statement. You are what you think. Garbage in, garbage out. Goodness in, goodness out. Be discerning in what you dwell on. (A discerning man keeps wisdom in view. Proverbs 17:24) Focus on that for which you can be grateful.

So, my friends, the next time your feathers get ruffled, (and they will get ruffled sooner or later!) take an attitude check and praise the Lord!

Lord, thank You for Your example of positivity. Help me to have the right attitude no matter what comes my way. Help me see the good in people and situations. Give me a grateful heart. May I always try to invoke thoughts utterly deemed excellent! Amen