Attitudes

Attitudes

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.

Charles Swindoll

Attitudes are the quiet judgments that shape your life. The apostle Paul wrote from a prison cell in Rome, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27, NIV). Every day you have a choice—to give in to the negative voices that surround you, or to “live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ” (Philippians 1:27, MSG). Even when you encounter the toughest trials of life, you can choose to have an attitude like Paul’s.

Study the life of Jesus. He is the ultimate example of how to live in a fallen world while maintaining a mind-set focused on My ultimate purpose. You’ve been discouraged because you can’t control the negative actions of people close to you. When people wear you down, check your thoughts and ask Me for inner peace. “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. . . . Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me. . . . Then the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9). Ask for My help. Tap into My power and I will give you the strength to have a godly attitude in the midst of challenges.

Do everything without complaining and arguing.

Philippians 2:14