Attitudes

“We choose what attitudes we have right now. And it’s a continuing choice.” – John Maxwell

An Attitude of Gratitude

I believe every Christian has a choice, a choice to have an attitude of gratitude or an attitude that is negative and joyless. Joyless Christians are not much fun to be around. I know, as I’ve been one before. Paul writes that since “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16), we should have joy, “for the joy that was set before him [He] endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” or complete (John 15:11), so we should be the most joyful people on the planet because we’ve been redeemed and granted eternal life. Gratitude is not a feeling; it is a choice!

An Attitude of Service

Here is an amazing statement by our Lord, Jesus Christ: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28). He washed the dirty, smelly feet of the disciples, including the one who would betray Him. If Jesus came to serve and He is God, how can we not have an attitude of service!? He asks, “Who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serve” (Luke 22:27)? His bottom line is this: “Whoever wants to be first must be your slave” (Matt. 20:27). But the way the world thinks, it’s the other way around. Consider the fact that “he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Phil. 2:7).

An Attitude of Devotion

Paul instructed the church at Rome to “love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:10) and the church at Philippi to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Phil. 2:3-4). The idea of being devoted to one another is a personal choice and decision more than it is a feeling. It takes true humility, or it won’t work.

Conclusion

As Mr. Maxwell said, we choose what attitudes we have right now, and it’s a continuing choice, so make the decision to have an attitude of gratitude. Choose an attitude of serving and choose to be devoted to one another.

by Jack Wellman

Image Credit

"Lord, purge our eyes to see

Within the seed a tree,

Within the glowing egg a bird,

Within the shroud a butterfly.

Till, taught by such we see

Beyond all creatures, Thee

And hearken to Thy tender word

And hear its 'Fear not; it is I. '"

---Christina Rossetti

A Woman's Prayer "May I seek and find the sacred within me, reaching beyond panic, worry, anger, and fear to my part of the eternal. May the Holy Spirit dissolve my pain, selfishness, and vanity so that I may cheerfully accept success and failure equally, be grateful for the life I have been given and able to share what I have with others. Help me to understand that it is not through something outside of myself, but in recognizing the consequences of my own choices and my own exercise of faith that I will find the refreshment, strength, and other qualities I need if I am to be useful. Help me remember that it is not in striving against events, but in accepting what comes, even disappointments and sorrows, in the spirit of Christ and the Cross, that I will find peace and fulfillment. Amen." ---Ms. Barbara A. Monsor