Having the right kind of attitude…

As we move through life, our attitudes, outlooks and opinions seem to pull us in many different directions.  Some of these directions are setting us on the right path, while others are doing just the opposite.  We tend to lose control of our attitudes, outlooks and opinions at times, creating havoc and stress in our lives.  It seems that we can get lost in these demanding times, creating a sense of urgency where there is none, or steering us onto a self-seeking path that focuses the attention on us as opposed to our God.  This is where we lose our “peace of mind.” 

“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:13-18(NKJV)  God’s Word is so full of “peaceful” advice that we can find it just by opening up our Bible.  Jesus Christ was sent here to emphasize this peace that we can all have a part of, but there is a catch to it.  We have to follow God’s advice on adjusting our attitudes, outlooks and opinions, then we can be called “peacemakers.”  “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9(NKJV)

We can live a life of envy and selfish ambitions, but where does that get us in the long run.  We all know that these attitudes will cause us to self-destruct eventually, leaving us empty and alone.  In order to create a different set of opinions and attitudes, we have to change.  We have to become “a new creation in Christ.”  We have to realize that there is more than what we can see, more than what we can touch.  We have to understand that God has a plan, and that it’s on His timeline, His calendar and His schedule, not ours.  We have to change our outlook to be more like Jesus, more like God’s intentions for our lives, not ours.  We have to alter our opinions to mirror God’s, not ours.

Now I know personally that making these changes can be extremely difficult.  Attitudes and opinions are not formed overnight, and will not change overnight.  It takes time and a serious amount of determination and effort.  But the effort is definitely worth it, just look at what the reward could be, eternal life!  You can’t get any better than that!

Changing attitudes and opinions can happen, but it starts with you.     

 

“in the world, not of the world”