I’m sure if you’ve lived to be an adult at some point someone has said: “you have a bad attitude.” What were they really saying? The definition of attitude is a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone, or something, typically one that is reflected in a person’s behavior. An attitude reflects what you are thinking and feeling. It can be good or it can be bad. It is vital to our success in life. As I was reading this morning, I came across research by Stanford Research Institute. It reported that only 12.5 percent of our success in life is determined by knowledge; the other 87.5 percent comes from attitude. Wow, that’s an incredible percentage of success or failure based on our attitude! That means that only 12.5 percent is determined by your knowledge, abilities, or skills. The logic of this is that you can work for years gaining important knowledge, and training in your field, yet still fail because of your attitude.
We all have an attitude about everything. It is within us, and we determine what it will be. It is not something we are born with, however, our atmosphere can help shape it if you let it. A positive attitude comes from within your heart, mind, and spirit. It is shown in how you act and what you say. It shows in your body language and the expressions on your face. You can’t manufacture it or buy it, you already have it. It all starts with a decision that you, and you alone can make.
If you determine in your heart to look at things from an eternal perspective, you can always find the positive in a situation. For instance, Joseph was treated horribly by his brothers. He was sold into slavery and lied about by his master’s wife, which led to wrongful imprisonment. However bad the circumstances, it never caused Joseph to feel sorry for himself, or reflect a negative attitude to those around him. God honored that and gave him a great position with his master, but it took a long time for all that to play out. Joseph’s attitude was this;
Genesis 50:20 “And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive.”
Because of his eternal perspective, Joseph kept a good attitude. We are so often nearsighted that we can’t see what God is doing. We look at our situation with a selfish eye, and everything becomes about us. If we feel bad, we can’t function, and everyone needs to know about it. We excuse a bad attitude because of our circumstances. People with bad attitudes feel as if they deserve more than God has given them. They seek attention because they are prideful. Pride causes a person to think more of themselves than they should.
Matthew 15:18 “But the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man.”
In Matthew 15:18, Matthew tells his audience what they are saying reveals what is really in the heart. The translation from Greek for the heart in this verse means the fountain seat of thoughts, passions, desires, purposes, and endeavors. From our hearts comes a positive or negative attitude. It will be revealed in our words and our actions. Can I control this attitude from the heart? The answer is an enormous “YES.” If you have a sincere desire to please God, you will be able to control what dwells within your heart. Whatever you allow to take up residence in your heart will be in control.
First, recognize this type of attitude is sinful. It is detrimental to your testimony of what a great God we serve, and it is detrimental to your physical health and well-being. Pray and ask God to forgive you as you move forward.
Second, you must control what you think. Philippians 4:8 tells us what to think about. Write this verse down and put it in places where you will be reminded how to think. Commit it to memory, and when thoughts turn negative put this verse into action.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”
Third, you train yourself. Just like you train yourself to do anything else in life, you can train yourself on what to think. Sometimes it will be a battle because the adversary, the devil, is seeking you, and he wants to destroy everything about you that would influence others for Christ, or allow you to live a positive life. He knows if he can control your thoughts he can control your actions. Our thoughts are the fountain from which our actions come. The thought always precedes the action.
Fourth, realize the benefits of having a positive attitude. An attitude based on the word of God, and the one you represent. You are seeking to live your life to please Him. This positive attitude based on your relationship with Him will give you peace in your soul. Because you trust Him you will have less stress. With less stress comes more energy. Knowing he is in control allows you to overcome quickly those times when you fall back into negative thinking. You will be able to cope with situations better, and your relationships will be enhanced because the power of your life is not you, but it is within you. It is up to you to do something about your outlook, but it is God that offers the power to change from the inside out.
When you’re willing to honestly look into your heart, and do something about what you discover, then, with the help of Jesus Christ, you can begin to experience godly, positive change from the inside out. When we are honest with ourselves God is always ready to help us to the next step in growing to be like Him.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.”
I John 4:4 “Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.”
