ATTITUDE (Part 2)

Two weeks ago we began a brief look at what comprises a good attitude. We established the fact that having a good attitude towards the Lord is key as we give our lives to Him and submit to His will. Verses in the bible abound regarding repentance and forgiveness which represent an attitude we have towards God. A great verse though that reflects the way we should approach work and life in general is found in Colossians 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." 

This is easier said then done, as human beings we are often looking over our shoulder or wondering what others may think of what we are doing, or how they perceive the job is being done. The main thing to understand is that if we are achieving a standard with which God has set, it will be done properly. This includes honesty, integrity and accountability. I have often settled for mediocre and God desires excellence, especially in our attitude. 

In John Maxwell's book on developing a good attitude, he gives some reasons of where we got our attitude from.

1. Personality - Who You Are

Our personality or "natural wiring" is something we are genetically attached to! Even identical twins may have personality traits that are very similar but their personalities can be vastly different. We are not trapped by our personality but as we give our will over to God, our natural personality can be woven into being Christlike in all our outlooks. Galatians 5:22-23 speaks about what the fruit of the Spirit should be in our lives and how it can add to who we really are.

2. Environment - What's Around You

Our environment, what we grow up around, what we experience certainly has an impact on who we are. For many people negative experiences can form how they view people and situations. Positive environments also do this. Our responsibility is that as we lay it before the Lord we can allow His work to shape our response to our environment. We can choose to be gracious or choose to be bitter. An eternal truth in scripture is found in Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose". God has purpose in everything, how do we respond?

3. The Expression of Others - What You Feel

Words can often tear us down or build us up. If someone hears negative rhetoric all their lives, their outlook on life will be reflected by what others have said. If we hear positive affirmation our feeling about ourselves will be positive. How do we speak to others, or about others? This does not mean that we speak to others just to hear good back about ourselves. It also means that we are honest with people, not to build each other up falsely. The scriptures encourage us to speak properly; Colossians 4:6 says "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." How are we talking about others?

4. Self Image - How You See Yourself

Self esteem is a fragile state of mind. People struggle with how they view themselves and this can impact our attitude. Sometimes from insecurity we can overcompensate. The Bible tells us what we are in Christ through verses like Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

5. Exposure To Growth Opportunities - What You Experience

Sometimes we need new experiences to grow with them. Often when we stay within our comfort zone we don't grow. I am not speaking about negative experiences but rather things that will stretch us spiritually, physically and academically. When Gideon was asked by the Lord to lead an army he had to go into unfamiliar territory. His faith was stretched as he had to grow. Throughout the scriptures we read of people who were went out of the normal situations of life to do something special for God. They embraced the opportunity to grow; are you willing to grow?

6. Association With Peers - Who You Are With

The bible says "bad company corrupts good character". The formation of our attitudes can be clearly attached to who we hang out with. Psalm 1:1-2 says "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat mockers, But his delight is in the law of the Lord, on his law he meditates day and night." Do your friends influence and shape your attitude? Allow God to impact you as you delight in who He is.

May these reflections impact our attitude and reflect God's character in all we say and do.

By: David Jones