Attitude is Everything
Attitude is everything. I think most would agree with that phrase. The world says if we believe something strongly enough and set our sights to accomplish, conquer, or understand it, we will. It’s that, “You are who you think you are” mentality that makes all things possible. Although there’s some truth in all of that, it has its limits and pitfalls. Like that it often focuses on me and what I can achieve, deserve, or be. Yet I consider our title statement as a declaration that can change every aspect of our lives.
Think about it this way. How much control do we have over the weather or how quickly or slowly time passes? How about regarding most things that happen to us or the ones we love? Our attitude, or way of thinking, can’t cause the rain to cease or the sun to shine. It’s not able to lengthen our good days or shorten the bad ones. It can’t keep us from illness or bring someone precious back for a final goodbye. We live in a fallen world that was broken by sin (Gen 3:17, Rom 8:20-22) where we are promised hardships and difficulties (I Pet 4:12, John 16:33). All the positive thinking on earth can’t change that or impact it in the least.
We have no power or authority over most things. But we can choose how we respond to them. Will we do everything without arguing or complaining (Phil 2:14) or whine and make things worse? Will we keep conforming to the world’s view and expectations or be transformed as we renew our minds through the Word and prayer (Rom 12:2)? Will we focus on the trial, or set our minds on things above (Col 3:2)? Will we see things in light of eternity or only view them from a worldly, under the sun perspective?
The truths found in II Corinthians 4:16-18 can rightly adjust our attitudes: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV)
That mindset changes everything because it honors our Lord and acknowledges His sovereignty and perfect plan. It keeps our thoughts where they need to be and enables us to not just endure, but thrive in and through any season or difficulty. In this regard, attitude is everything. So let’s make ours what it should be.
Just something I’ve been thinking about along the way.
