You have to choose an attitude
July 14 - July 20, 2024 | Always Peachy Devotionals | Ownership Week 3
Have you ever met someone with a bad attitude?
We all have. They’re not fun to be around, are they? People with bad attitudes kind of suck the joy out of every situation. A bad attitude can take many different faces, though. It can be critical. It can be complaining. It can be selfishness. It can be anger or negativity. It can be arrogance and boastfulness.
But however a bad attitude manifests in our lives, one thing remains true about it: It’s our choice.
Pastor and leader Chuck Swindoll once said that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. Your attitude will make or break you. It will determine if you are going to fail or succeed, to accomplish great things or settle with the mediocre.
But the truth about our attitudes is that no one can choose them for us.
It’s an inconvenient fact that our attitudes are often shaped by what has happened to us in life. Our attitudes stem from our beliefs, and our beliefs often change based on our worldview. So if your worldview isn’t true, your beliefs won’t be either, which means your attitude will likely end up sideways.
Haven’t you ever wondered where good attitudes come from? The people who bring joy and positivity wherever they go, no matter what they’ve gone through?
Obviously every situation is different, but I’d venture to say that someone with a good attitude made a decision that they would choose their responses based on what they know is true rather than what they are feeling in the moment.
That’s what we’re talking about this week, our attitudes and our responsibility toward them. If we aren’t taking control of our own attitudes, they will control us. But there are so many areas in our lives where our attitudes come into play, so we’re going to break them down and talk about how to own our attitudes in some specific situations.
Monday – Toward God (Jeremiah 17:5-8)
Tuesday – Toward the Church (Eph 5:25-27, Rev 19:7-9)
Wednesday – Toward the World (Luke 10:36-37)
Thursday – Toward your Work/Calling (Colossians 3:23)
Friday – Toward yourself (Romans 12:3-5)
Yeah. Buckle your seatbelts for this one, my friends. This is going to challenge all of us (especially yours truly). And the overarching truth that we all need to remember is what led to this week’s Bible memory verse, Philippians 2:5.
Ouch, right? How many of us can say we have the same attitude Jesus did? Not many, I’d guess. Personally I’m very thankful for the sanctification process, like we talked about in week one. God is doing a work in my heart, and I’m so glad because I need Him to. My attitude turns sour so easily, and it is a constant struggle to redirect my heart to focus on Jesus.
His attitude is the goal. Humble. Obedient. Kind. He didn’t fight back, though He had every right to do so. He didn’t insist on having His own way and submitted to God’s plan, even though it required Him to experience extreme suffering.
Jesus could have chosen a different attitude. That choice really, truly was His. But where would all of us have been if He had?
You can choose your attitude too. What do you think God can do with a heart that’s fully surrendered to Him?
Praying for you guys.
Amy
Remember! These Sunday intro emails are free, but if you want the actual daily devotions, you need to subscribe: