I believe all of us would admit there are times when we need an attitude adjustment. I like what Chuck Swindoll wrote about attitude: Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitude toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it. I believe the single most significant decision I can make on a day-to-day basis is my choice of attitude. It is more important than my past, my education, my bankroll, my successes or failures, fame or pain, what other people think of me or say about me, my circumstances, or my position. Attitude keeps me going or cripples my progress. It alone fuels my fire or assaults my hope. When my attitude is right, there’s no barrier too high, no valley too deep, no dream too extreme, no challenge too great for me.
Do you need an attitude adjustment? Possibly you are a deployed soldier struggling with the challenges or boredom of your deployment, or you may be a wife struggling with being separated from your husband and managing the children alone. Whatever your circumstances we all need from time to time attitude adjustments.
The Bible says, Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts (Proverbs 4: 23). Notice your life is shaped by your thoughts, your attitude. How do you adjust your attitude? By looking to God instead of your circumstances and this should begin when you first get up in the morning. Let me suggest a threefold technique in getting up. First, stretch which gets the body going. Then smile, which puts the soul in the right attitude so we don’t start the day grumbling. And then say, “God love me.” Body, soul, and spirit, you are starting the day right. Stretch, smile, and say, “God loves me.”
Then as you go through the day develop the habit of looking to God through prayer and His Word. Practice Philippians 4: 6, Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Add to your prayers meditating on God’s Word. Psalm 1: 1-3 says, Happy are those who…are always meditating on God’s Word…They are like trees along a river…that do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do. Simply pick one verse for each day, right it on a small card so it can stay with you throughout the day, and when things get rough or your attitude starts to sour, pull the card out and reflect on God’s Truth.
Always remember, God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble (Psalm 46: 1), and therefore you can say, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4: 13). My love and prayers are with you. Pastor Andy
