Downloads from the Lord: Attitude
I was sitting here today talking to the Lord about what He wants me to write about for the blog today. For a few moments nothing came to my attention, but then the word Attitude popped into my mind, “I said Lord is that really what you want to write about.” Then I had the thought… remember the article called “Attitude” by Chuck Swindol? I sure did remember it; and I would like to share it with you right now:
Attitude By: Charles Swindoll
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearances, giftedness or skill. It 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 string 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.”
“I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.” WOW!
That is one of the most powerful teachings, other than the Bible, that I have ever heard! It caused me to reflect back to my experience as a manager of a group of employees. I often said, ”I would rather have a worker on my team that was good at their job, with an exceptional attitude, than someone with exceptional job skills and a bad attitude!” I guarantee that the employee with a good attitude will be more dependable, more motivational to their fellow workers, and more enjoyable to be around. Oh… and by the way, they’ll get the work done as well!
The Bible says attitude is very important:
Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT2)
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Philippians 2:14-16 (ESV)
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Before we approach God in worship, we should ask ourselves, “What is my attitude before the Lord?” Here is a prayer that I’m sure we could all pray every now and then:
Lord, I confess that sometimes I choose to focus on the negatives, instead of focusing on what you’ve called me to concentrate on. In every moment of every day, help me to focus on the words of Philippians 4:8! Lord help me to fix my thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable, and to think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Help me to have an attitude that honors you, and gives you glory! In the name of Jesus I pray… Amen!