“In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1Thessalonians 5:18)
Attitude determines altitude. A good attitude will take you higher in life and keep you there longer than anything else. A positive, thankful attitude will bless your life like nothing else. God knows this and it’s why He commands us to do it.
I. Characteristics of the Attitude of Gratitude
1. It is Cheap! It costs you nothing. You don’t have to buy alcohol or weed, go to Disney World, buy a boat, or buy anything.
2. It is a Choice. I read this book when I was just starting out in life and it changed my life from that moment on: Happiness is a Choice. The attitude of gratitude will make you happier than anything else. You choose to be happy and you choose to have a good attitude. It doesn’t come from what happens to you, it comes from how you respond to what happens to you. “Two men looked through prison bars: one saw mud, the other saw stars.” It doesn’t depend so much on what you look at but how you look at it.
3. It Proves Itself in a Crisis. The Chinese word for crisis combines two words: dangerous opportunity. Every crisis is an opportunity for advancement in character and/or situation. If you see yourself on your back, try looking up. There’s nowhere to go from where you are but up! Your attitude can change your position in life for the better or for the worse. If life has been handing you lemons, make some lemonade.
II. What to do to Crash Your Life. I know you’re not reading this to find out how to ruin your life, but this can be very instructive and helpful.
1. Contemplate Bad Thoughts. If you want to ruin your day, your life, your marriage, your relationship with your kids, your boss, just meditate on bad thoughts. You can’t keep a bird from flying over your head, but you can keep him from building a nest in your hair, and in your house. Negative thoughts lead to you feeling bad which anchors a bad attitude in you.
2. Become Conflicted. Worry means to be conflicted in your thinking and actions. Martha was conflicted by Mary’s choice of listening to Jesus while she was serving. Worry is the word Jesus used to describe Martha. Worry is the only acceptable sin these days among Christians. “Ya’ll pray for me; you know I’m just a worry wart. I worry about everything.” Well, stop it! Worrying is a sin! Repent! In Matthew six Jesus says three times, “Do not worry…” You will either worry or pray, you can’t do both.
“Rejoice in the Lord always (at all times). Again I say, rejoice! The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard you hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, if th
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